Sustainable & Resilient Underwater Research Facility

Hello! My name is Mason. Today, I present to you a sustainable, resilient underwater research facility designed in TinkerCAD, made for the Make It Resilient contest. I used all of TinkerCAD's amazing tools to create a facility that's both functional and unique.

The facility has the capacity for state-of-the-art laboratories where scientists can conduct experiments and make new discoveries. This research facility contains a research pod where scientists can research marine biology and the area around them, a recreational pod where people can sit down, relax, and make meals, and a sleeping pod equipped with sleeping quarters, a bathroom with showers and toilets, and a sustainable aquaponics system that can grow a variety of crops.

I'm really proud of how this project turned out, and I hope you enjoy it!

Many supplies are required to build this sustainable underwater research facility. Some of these are:

• Modified Aurelia Institute Truncated Icosahedron, composed of marine-grade materials
• Equinox Ocean Turbine (for supplying power to the pods)
• Desalination system (to make the water from the underwater area around the pods safe to drink)
• Battery banks, electrical wiring, and a power inverter (used to convert the direct current into usable power for the pods, utilizing hydroelectricity)
• Aquaponics system (to grow a variety of crops to eat)
• Starter fish (a crucial part in helping the aquaponics system work properly)
• Crop seeds (carrots, lettuce, tomatoes, or any other crops)
• Edible and safe algae (used for feeding the fish in the aquaponics system)
• Carbon dioxide scrubbers or air filtration/exchange system
• Variety of equipment for marine biology research (computers, testing equipment, etc.)
• Marine-grade materials to build any other aspects
• TinkerCAD (to create a 3D model of the project)
• Writing program/notebook and a drawing program/sketchbook (for conceptualizing the design and planning it out--I used Google Docs and Microsoft OneNote, but any other alternatives work as well)
• 3D printer and suitable filament (for printing a physical prototype)

When I decided to participate in this contest, I was inspired to create an underwater research facility because I love water and marine life. In addition, I wanted to create a sustainable area that could withstand the extreme conditions found underwater. I wanted to see both of these ideas represented in an elaborate 3D model.

I started by sketching out ideas for what I wanted my facility to look like in Microsoft OneNote, and writing down ideas in Google Docs. At first, I wanted to create an underwater submarine that contained research equipment and marine life nearby to study, but I scrapped that idea in favor of a full-on, underwater lab that aimed to research marine life--all while being unique and sustainable. After that, I began 3D modeling in TinkerCAD, learning lots of new tricks along the way, from learning how to create brand new, custom 3D models, to learning how to cut and group objects.

Find a launch point for the pods. It is recommended that the launch point should be located in an underwater current with lots of marine life.

Make sure to construct the pods with high-quality, marine-grade materials, such as marine-grade stainless steel.

Each pod is dedicated to various purposes as needed for your build application. This build utilizes three pods, each one having a dedicated theme:

1. Habitation Pod: This pod contains sleeping cabins with bunk beds and a desk, as well as a bathroom with showers and toilets. This pod is also the maintenance pod for the desalination system and main water supply to the entire network.
2. Recreation and Dining Pod: This pod contains a long dining table that can fit over ten people, a kitchen, and a living area that is suitable for doing work or resting. This pod is also the maintenance pod for the hydroelectricity to power the network.
3. Research Pod: This pod is dedicated to researching the marine life of the location. This pod contains computers and research equipment to help study the nearby marine life.

All pod flooring is built with maintenance hatches and utilizes systems of containment to control possible flooding and electrical damage.

Pods will be powered off by power generated from the sea current-driven turbines. For this build these turbines are to be set within a current so that the natural flow of earth’s water can rotate them and produce power for the facility.

Turbine design inspired by Equinox turbines, utilizes models and objects via TinkerCAD and the TinkerCAD community models collection for construction.

Connect the pod bases and assemble the turbines, generator, desalination system, pipes, wiring, etc. to all junctions.

Construct the walls and ceilings of the pod by using the framework inspired by Aurelia Institute, while using marine-grade materials. This framework provides a strong and durable structure that can withstand the pressure of the surrounding water.

*CAUTION*

Follow marine-grade construction recommended safety precautions for electrical wiring, water flow/pressure, general upkeep, and maintenance.

Check to make sure that both the power and pod elements work in the platform systems.

1: Hydroelectricity

Check that the turbines are working correctly to provide power for the pods and any other power-related aspects and that the turbines are spinning correctly, and that nothing is stopping them from functioning properly.

2: Water Desalination

Check that the water desalination system is working properly to deliver clean and safe water for human consumption. This can be done by testing the water with a water test and analysis kit to ensure that the water is safe to drink.

3: Aquaponics System

Check that the aquaponics system is working well and that it can grow crops properly. Check that the fish are healthy and can produce waste, and check for any noticeable signs of growth in the crops (like new leaves or roots, and color/texture changes in the plant.)

After assembling the pods, place all of the other materials, furniture, etc. that you have prepared and packed for launch. Make sure to plant a variety of seeds of your choice, including vegetables, herbs, and more.

Launch the pods underwater. Congrats, you are done!

Using my 3D printer, I exported the underwater research facility 3D models I designed, split the pod platform and dome apart, shrunk them down to a smaller size (about 2 inches in width and height,) and 3D printed them. I also 3D printed models of the walkways that connected each pod. The prototype is green because it's the only filament color that my 3D printer currently works with right now.

Before my conclusion, I wanted to give insight into the following questions listed on the Make It Resilient page.

1: What if extreme environment habitats embraced their unique surroundings to enhance human well-being?

By designing an extreme environment habitat that embraces its unique surroundings, we can create sustainable living environments that are connected with nature and allow future innovations. There are many ways to create sustainable and environmentally friendly environments and living areas that will lead to a brighter future.

Overall, studying marine biology can lead to many benefits for scientific advancements and the environment around it.

2: What did you learn through this process that you could apply to address a problem of the built environment in your own community? 

While designing and developing this project, I have learned many valuable lessons that can be applied to my community and other daily problems.

Firstly, I have learned more about 3D modeling in TinkerCAD, and how to successfully create custom, intricate models for use in designs and projects. Secondly, I have also learned more about marine biology and underwater life. Lastly, I have learned more about engineering and sustainable living practices, inventions, and solutions to create a healthy living environment that is also safe for the planet.

I could apply this knowledge to my town and community to source better, healthier fish and marine food that people could buy or eat. My community could create a sustainable research facility similar to mine and use it to study the nearby marine life. This would result in healthier food for my community, a sustainable research facility for my area, and even more benefits.

I have had a lot of fun working on this project, and it has taught me many valuable lessons, like how to use TinkerCAD and create my own custom 3D models with it. I also learned more about sustainable environments and marine biology life.

Thank you for taking the time to look at my design, I am very grateful. Good luck to everyone in the contest, everyone’s submissions look awesome! :)

Special Thanks To:

The TinkerCAD community models collection for some models used in the project

Aurelia Institute for the pod model (Modified Aurelia Institute Truncated Icosahedron) and inspiration (https://www.aureliainstitute.org/)

Equinox Ocean Turbines for turbine inspiration (https://equinoxoceanturbines.com)

And Ms. Emily, my geometry teacher, for letting me know about this contest and inspiring me to participate in it!