Projects

Listing of PIPELINES projects grouped by year. You can search by Project Title or Year. You can find past and present interns on the the Interns page.

2023

Team receiving award

The mission objective of this project was to engineer a robot integrated with corrosion detection capabilities that can maneuver through a shipboard environment.

Unmanned underwater vehicles (UUV) can stay submerged for a long time without the risk of endangering human lives. Refueling continues to be a challenge because it requires time and resources to resurface from the ocean for refueling. The goal of the project is to develop an in-water refueling station that can be operated autonomously and produce hydrogen gas only when it is needed, which is crucial for saving time and resources. An electrolysis stack will be used to separate deionized water into hydrogen and oxygen gas.

Instrumentation Team presenting

This summer our aim was to maximize the reliability and confidence level of the antenna test set up and environment for the official test plans in October to provide accurate results.

The method used to accomplish this aim was by fabricating and using reference antennas with varying resonant frequencies. The Reference antennas were used for the prototype test procedures to determine the validity of the data from the test plans, and compared them to the known values, in different environments.

Our project’s goal is to demonstrate the use of Artificial intelligence (AI) and predictive modeling techniques to monitor and optimize battery health and performance in the immediate term using real-time and open-source data to be implemented in future USN and DoD microgrid testbeds.

Our aim was to rapidly research, develop, and test a Virtual Reality proof of concept for the U.S Navy. To remotely operate a robot and successfully navigate it through a scale model of unique workspaces that exist on naval vessels. The methods we used to accomplish this aim were teamwork, research, hardware testing, robotics building and software troubleshooting. We were assigned to plan and build a robot, and implement mixed reality technology to a remotely operated robotics system to navigate through a scale model of the unique workspaces that exist on naval vessels.

The objective for this summer was to built an autonomous robotic vacuum that could collect lead, dust, and other particles in indoor shooting ranges. The robotic was intended to be pneumatic while only allowing conductive materials to be in contact with the air and having no components that connect to Wi-Fi or Bluetooth.

Source code Compliance Evaluator and Parser for Threat Resolution and Elimination (SCEPTRE) is an AI tool used to help streamline the process of code review through the utilization of static code scanners and large language models. We researched modern AI models such as Large Language Models (LLMs), had meetings with cybersecurity engineers to revise product scope to meet their needs, and developed a pipelined program that takes in code and outputs a checklist with relevant security vulnerabilities. We worked together to research what AI models we wished to use.

Our goal was to determine solutions to a project management system in Microsoft Teams. We also were responsible for exploring the capabilities of MS Teams and to give insight on how they can be applied at the Sea Range. Our team researched the capabilities of MS Teams applications and determined which applications were most suitable to reaching the end state.

Our aim was to build a robot that could detect thermal hotspots within an obstacle course (that resembles a naval ship environment) using a Flir camera. In addition to this objective, we had to ensure that the robot could navigate and overcome obstacles that it would encounter on a naval ship: steep flights of stairs, rocking from the boat, and opening/closing doors.

2022

Sea Range team receiving award

The goal of our research is to investigate web-based tools’ utility in speeding up military development, viz. Jira Workflow software and intranet Sharepoint websites. This study is important because it demonstrates promise in accelerating the rate of military technological advancement and proliferation, and represents a paradigm shift in the methods and infrastructure used for such ends. To test our hypothesis we have deployed a single Division Sharepoint site, and additionally a pilot program workflow which encompasses a department-level project to acclimate leadership to Jira workflows.

AI Leak Detection team receiving an award

The project’s goal is to demonstrate a long-term, AI-enhanced active continuous monitoring leak detection and localization technology in a water distribution system.  NAVFAC will be teaming with UCLA and Digital Water Solutions to add low frequency sonar and active AI analysis to a pre-existing acoustic leak detection system.  Since low frequency sonar has never been used within potable water pipe networks, new methods must be tested to boost operational range.  The goal for interns is to develop sonar transmitter mounting and placement options for installation and operation at the demonstr

Corrosion Team Presenting

The Automated Corrosion Testing Fixture provides an enhanced testing interface to autonomously subject samples to a simulated ocean environment. The goals for this project support the continued advancement of the fixture; redesigning the graphical user interface (GUI), engineering a drainage filtration system, and performing corrosion tests. The GUI was updated through the use of Visual Studio Code software, implemented with Python. The filtration system was designed in SolidWorks and assembled using off–the–shelf components.

Team at Poster Session

Mishap Prevention and hazard Abatement (MPHA) seeks to maintain a repository of technologies that mitigate COVID-19 and other contagions. Technologies that work in office spaces commonly utilize UV-C or Hydrogen Peroxide (H2O2) for disinfection. Five off-the-shelf systems are assessed and ranked based on percentage of disinfection of four marked zones, cost per square foot of disinfection, safety and ease of installation.

Metrology Presentation

Due to corrosion, the Department of Defense (DoD) loses approximately 20.6 billion dollars to corrosion and materials degradation annually. To help mitigate these problems, protective paints or coatings are used. However, corrosion can occur under the paint, making it difficult to detect. Therefore, the goal of this project is to explore flash thermography and identify if it can detect corrosion and defects under painted surfaces. Using standardized steel samples, we prepared a variety of both painted and unpainted samples that were corroded/damaged with scratches and holes.

Mixed Reality Team at Honorable Mention Presentation

Our aim was to research, develop, and test potential AR Applications for the U.S Navy. This

required familiarization with 3D scanning using the Artec Leo Handheld 3D scanner, scans were

post processed and then deployed onto the Microsoft Hololens 2 AR Headset. This project is

intended to act as a proof of concept demonstrating the potential for AR technologies to be used

as a more cost effective training and maintenance tool for Navy Technicians in the near future.

Pier Team at Poster Session

Having healthy piers is essential for the Navy to conduct its global operations. In order to maintain piers, inspections are used to help identify existing and potential hazards. By using drone technology and machine learning we can make inspections safer, faster, and cheaper for the Navy and it’s personnel. Current inspection methods are known to be hazardous to inspectors and can take several days and even weeks to complete. One study shows that utilizing an automated UAS can reduce inspection times by up to 90% and reduces pilot training time by up to 50%.

IoT Presentation

The SLICT (Secure Linux Integrated Configuration Tool) software offers system administrators easy access to enable network security of IoT devices. This tool presents the user with configuration options to apply to an IP address to personalize security features on a system. Our development of the tool focuses on extending the ability to connect devices automatically without needing to hardwire the device. Our software is tested using dry runs that check to ensure the security features function properly before being implemented on a device.

Radar Team Presentation

Our aim was to improve the Warfighter’s ability to develop new technology by increasing the efficiency of testing within the W-Band frequency of RADAR. In order to accomplish this aim, we increased the frequency agility and operating bandwidth in comparison to the conventional RADAR.  We were assigned to incorporate additional SystemVerilog code to the field programmable gate array (FPGA). This allows for preset filter functionality within the tunable bandpass filter. We also tested the components to ensure they’re operating within standards.

2021

NAWCWD Logo

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the world became aware of the microorganisms that contaminate our everyday workspaces and how they can spread via surfaces and air particulates. In this project we identify the best disinfection technology currently available and recommendations for future research. The objective was to propose an autonomous disinfection device that could operate in under one hour with a 99% efficacy against pathogens.

NAVFAC Logo

Our aim was to create a NAVFAC control system test bed. The end goal of this project is to have a working system that can efficiently control the water temperatures of a water tank using multiple devices all controlled via an HMI.  An operator would enter a temperature and the system will then use automated processing to get the tank of water to that temperature.

NAVSEA logo

The project objective is to find a suitable replacement for the protective coating used on radar systems aboard U.S Navy ships. This involves long hours of testing and examination of various samples.

NAVFAC Logo

Our team’s goal is to balance out the three main power concerns of an island microgrid: cost, CO2 emissions, and resiliency. These three concerns often come into conflict with one another when making decisions regarding hardware upgrades and implementation.

NAVSEA logo

Our aim was to research, develop, and test AR Applications for the Navy. This required familiarization with 3D scanning using the Artec Leo, preparing the 3D renderings in Artec Studio, importing 3D objects + developing applications within Unity, and deployment using Visual Studio to the Hololens 2.

Our aim was to complete the saltwater corrosion tester that was created by former students from UC Santa Barbara. We have worked on challenging task that were left by former UCSB students, this includes fixing the wires and leaks.

NAWCWD Logo

Our aim was to provide an easy-to-use tool that automates the process of securing a Raspberry Pi.

NAWCWD Logo

Our aim was to improve the Target Web-based Scheduling and Tracking System (TWSTS) that is used by the Operation Support Branch to schedule, manage and track event requests. The current website lacks features that can track personnel and their qualifications that are necessary to help schedule events for customers. We are developing the features that will track personnel to make it easier to assign them to events.

2019

A Bird's Eye View team Members

The fields of ecology and computer science are not commonly thought of as being used together however this process of thinking is rapidly changing. In the modern world, people are constantly looking for ways to work more efficiently with the assistance of computers. This search for efficiency has led to the growth of several fields such as artificial intelligence which can be used to augment and assist people with their work. The use of these technologies can make work safer, more cost effective, and less intrusive to the environment.

Don’t Crack Under Pressure team members

The U.S. Navy uses many underwater electronics such as underwater cables for communication purposes and/or gathering data. Currently, the U.S. Navy uses large metal canisters to house these electronics at great ocean depths. These canisters are about 12 inches long, 4 inches in diameter, and weigh about 25 pounds. They are designed for specific ocean depths as they need to be able to withstand varying ocean pressure.

Fueling Innovation team members

Our project is to design, build, and test a small-scale fuel pipeline, using non destructive testing techniques. The main goals of this project are to hydrostatically test our pipeline and have it become a testing and training platform for future Petroleum, Oils, & Lubricants engineers. The current solution is to train engineers at an existing fuel pipeline, which can lead to safety risks due to a lack of previous exposure to operating procedures. Some of the design requirements and constraints that we faced were related to the materials, durability, mobility, and time.

Project Moor team members

The U.S. Navy is addressing a capability gap in their expeditionary warfare forces performing missions abroad. Existing practices for mooring large warfare vessels require barges, cranes, underwater construction teams, and specialized training. This increases cost and precious time, which is not conducive to expeditionary missions. To resolve this complication, a temporary mooring system was designed to fit into three shipping containers (8 x 8 x 6.5 ft) that can be carried on a C-130 cargo aircraft to destinations around the world for rapid deployment.

Threat Detective team members

The Navy faces cyber threats from adversaries who grow more capableand persistent every day. The stakes are high: if an attacker targets a critical control system, the consequences could be millions of dollars in damage, injury, or even loss of life. In order to develop defenses against these attacks we developed a rapidtesting network security platform. The platform has three components: simulation, data collection, and threat detection. After selecting a system to test,simulation is accomplished by constructing a threat detection model using Node-Red software.

2018

We have designed a new fuel distribution system that consists of a network for low-profile floating platforms for increased reliability of critical resupply missions.

We have designed a new frame for bollard load test that allows for applying forces similar, in magnitude and direction, to those experienced during use.

Our team has designed a portable photovoltaic unit to reduce the Navy fossil fuel consumption, especially at forward operating bases.

Our team designed a backup system consisting of portable pumps and pre-installed connections to guarantee continuous distribution of fuel when the existing infrastructure is damaged.

We have designed a miniaturized electro-optical repeater for rapid deployment of underwater communication cables.

2017

We investigated the use of small buoys as a platform for radio antennas, testing and modeling prototypes to maximize connectivity.

Our team was tasked with designing an innovative ladder to safely get divers in and out of the water from the majority of waterfront facilities and vessels.

Internal-curing (IC) materials are expected to minimize cracking in cement structures compared to traditional superficial wetting. We compared the performance of three IC materials relative to critical parameters.

Our team’s goal was to recreate ELCAS-M components in modern CAD software to allow the Navy to determine the ELCAS-M’s ability to bear new equipment loads. We also redesigned the ELCAS-M lifting lug, a key component in this modular system.

Our team created an interactive web-based platform to demonstrate the security flaws associated with choosing passwords created using visual keyboard patterns.

We designed a sanitation facility for Forward Operating Bases (FOBs) to reduce water usage, waste disposal, as well as minimize hurdles related to transportation and installation.

2016

We analyzed the problem of integrating renewable energy sources into existing power grids on Navy Bases, to decrease reliance on fossil fuels, without compromising continuous operation and mission success.

We have researched the impact of modifying concrete composition to mitigate corrosion of internal rebars in reinforced concrete used in marine environments.

Our team designed a prototype for a new passenger boarding system to be used in Navy Lighter Amphibious Resupply Cargo (LARC) Vehicles.

Our team developed a prototype tethering system for small buoys that incorporates an optical fiber cable, stiff enough to alleviate excessive strain caused by ocean waves and currents, but soft enough to keep the buoy afloat.

Our team developed a prototype for an automated solar panel cleaning system to reduce dust accumulation and maintain a high power output.

UCSB California NanoSystems InstituteNAVFACONRz-NAVAIRC-NAVSEA