Deebak D Marine engineering has come a long way since the days of wooden boats and sail power. In recent years, there have been many new innovations in marine engineering that are changing the way we think about everything from propulsion to navigation to safety. In this blog, we will explore some of the latest and most exciting developments in this field. Unmanned Surface Vessels Unmanned Surface Vessels (USVs) are vessels that are remotely operated, allowing for tasks to be carried out without putting people in harm's way. USVs can be used for various applications such as oceanographic research, surveying, and inspection. These vessels are equipped with a range of sensors, cameras, and other devices that allow for remote monitoring and control. Autonomous Ships Autonomous ships are one of the most exciting innovations in marine engineering. These ships use sensors and GPS to navigate and avoid obstacles, and they can be controlled remotely from a shore-based control center. Not only do they reduce the need for crew members, but they also have the potential to increase safety and efficiency. Advanced Propulsion Systems Propulsion systems are one of the most critical components of any ship. In recent years, there have been many new innovations in this area. One of the most exciting is the development of electric propulsion systems. These systems use electric motors and batteries to power the ship, which reduces emissions and increases efficiency. Hybrid Propulsion Systems Hybrid propulsion systems combine different power sources to provide a more efficient and sustainable way to propel a vessel. By using both electric and traditional diesel engines, hybrid propulsion systems can reduce fuel consumption, emissions, and noise pollution. This technology has been applied to both smaller recreational vessels and larger commercial ships. Renewable Energy Sources Renewable energy sources are becoming increasingly important in the world of marine engineering. Solar panels, wind turbines, and even wave power are all being used to power ships and reduce emissions. In addition, new technologies are being developed to convert seawater into fresh water using renewable energy sources, which could have a significant impact on the world's water resources. Additive Manufacturing Additive manufacturing, also known as 3D printing, has become a game-changer in many industries, including marine engineering. With 3D printing, it's now possible to create complex parts and components that would have been difficult or impossible to produce with traditional manufacturing methods. This technology enables faster prototyping, reduces material waste, and allows for more customization options. Carbon Fiber Construction Carbon fiber has been used in high-performance applications like race cars and aircraft for many years. Now, marine engineers are using carbon fiber to build ships that are lighter, stronger, and more fuel-efficient. Carbon fiber construction reduces a ship's weight, allowing for faster speeds and increased fuel economy. Additionally, carbon fiber can be shaped into complex designs, enabling shipbuilders to create vessels with unique shapes and features. Advanced Navigation Systems Navigation is a critical aspect of ship operations, and advancements in technology have brought about significant changes in the way ships navigate. ships rely on advanced navigation systems that utilize modern technology to provide accurate and reliable data for safe navigation.
other ships and shore-based stations. The AIS system helps in collision avoidance, monitoring of shipping traffic, and improves situational awareness on the bridge.
system provides accurate and reliable information for navigation, even in remote and challenging environments.
Improved Safety Systems Safety is always a top priority in marine engineering. In recent years, there have been many new innovations in this area. For example, new materials are being developed that are more resistant to fire and explosions. In addition, new safety systems are being developed that can detect and respond to emergencies more quickly and effectively. Air Lubrication Systems Air lubrication systems are a new innovation in marine engineering that reduce drag and improve a vessel's fuel efficiency. This technology works by injecting air bubbles under the hull, creating a layer of air that reduces the friction between the hull and the water. This system can reduce fuel consumption by up to 20%, making it an effective and sustainable solution for the shipping industry. In conclusion, there are many new and exciting innovations in the world of marine engineering. These innovations are changing the way we think about everything from propulsion to carbon fiber construction to navigation to air lubricantion systems. As the technology continues to evolve, we can expect to see even more exciting developments in the years ahead. Whether you are a shipbuilder, a sailor, or just an enthusiast, there has never been a more exciting time to be involved in this field.
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By: Roja M7 YEARS AGO THE WORLD AGREED TO SLOW DOWN CLIMATE CHANGE — BUT A NEW REPORT SHOWS AN UNEVEN FUTURE It may no longer be possible to limit global warming to 1.5 degree Celsius, but the climate’s future is still uncertain. More than seven years ago, world leaders gathered in Paris and made an ambitious, but necessary plan to save the planet from our own folly-human induced climate change, specifically. That December 2015 plan became known as the landmark Paris climate agreement. All subsequent climate change pledges and UN climate conferences have followed the Paris agreement’s goal of limiting future global warming to “well below” 2 degrees Celsius (and ideally 1.5 degrees Celsius). The Paris agreement settled on 1.5 degrees as a key tipping point, which humans should not exceed if we want to avoid the worst outcomes of global warming. To limit global warming to 1.5 degrees would require wide-scale or “deep” decarbonization efforts across the globe — in other words, a transition away from a global economy dependent on carbon-emitting fossil fuels. But a new report out of Germany suggests the specific goal of 1.5 degrees Celsius may already be out of our reach. “Specifically we ask whether meeting the 1.5°C-goal of the Paris Agreement is plausible,” was a question posed by a normal citizen. Yet, the report authors also argue that the future climate trajectory is still uncertain — and therefore, the fate of our planet is still very much in our hands. The University of Hamburg’s Climate Futures Outlook report was published. The report analyzed various physical processes as well as “social drivers” of global warming to draw six key findings. 6. 1.5 DEGREES ISN’T “PLAUSIBLE” ANYMORE The study assesses ten key “social drivers” of global warming. These are factors that could either undermine the Paris agreement’s decarbonization goals or support them, like whether companies shift away from fossil fuels or climate protests. Social factors undermining the Paris Agreement include: ● Corporations’ responses ● Human consumption patterns Social factors supporting the Paris Agreement include: ● Climate litigation ● UN governance (like climate conferences) ● Fossil fuel divestment ● Climate protests ●Knowledge production (i.e., shared knowledge around climate change actions) ● Climate regulation ● Transnational initiatives One factor — the media — was ambivalent and both undermined and supported the Paris Agreement depending on the kind of media outlet reporting on climate change. Taking all these factors into consideration, the report concludes that “deep decarbonization” is not plausible by 2050, which means the Paris Agreement’s goal of limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees is effectively dead in the water — just seven years after the agreement was signed. “But if you look at the development of social processes in detail, keeping global warming under 1.5 degrees still isn’t plausible,” says a sociology professor of University of Hamburg, Anita Engels. Yet, the Paris Agreement’s next tipping point — to keep global warming under 2 degrees Celsius — may still be achievable depending on how society changes (or does not) in the coming years. “We state that limiting the global temperature rise to well below 2 degrees Celsius can become plausible if ambition, implementation, and knowledge gaps are closed.” One such knowledge gap includes the spread of Indigenous traditions of land management, which experts say are crucial to achieving climate change goals and saving biodiversity 5. COVID-19 AND RUSSIA’S INVASION OF UKRAINE HAVE AN UNCERTAIN IMPACT Two major global events — the Covid-19 pandemic and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine — have shaken up the climate change trajectory, but experts aren’t sure yet where the pieces will fall. On one hand, socioeconomic recovery programs to boost the global economy post-Covid seemed to have locked us into an, even more, fossil fuel-dependent future, but future outbreaks could impact global production and consumption. Similarly, although there were initial concerns about the European Union turning toward coal as a result of weaning itself off Russia’s natural gas supply, it’s also possible that the long-term effects of the war could boost the EU’s green energy goals by making it energy independent. 4. SOME FACTORS MIGHT NOT IMPACT GLOBAL WARMING AS MUCH AS WE THINK Scientists have raised alarm bells in recent years about the rate of polar ice melt and Arctic sea ice loss. While the melting of the Arctic is surely a concern for sea level rise and other climate reasons, the report authors state it will “barely influence” surface temperature. Two other hot-button issues — the thawing of the permafrost as well as deforestation in the Amazon — threaten to release carbon into the atmosphere. Permafrost refers to ground that is normally frozen year-round but is at risk of thawing due to global warming. Indeed, the report says these factors will likely “moderately affect” global temperature — and our ability to achieve the Paris agreement — but may not be the doomsday scenario others have feared. “We also show that the much-feared tipping points — while being serious concerns — are not quite the threat as which they are sometimes perceived. There is no danger that permafrost thaw will lead to an unstoppable climate instability.” The report states that the Planck temperature response — a feedback mechanism where warming leads to energy loss to space and cools the planet — can help keep the global temperature stable. 3. THREE KEY CONSEQUENCES FOR FAILING TO ACHIEVE 1.5 CELSIUS The report hones in on three key consequences for failing to achieve the Paris Agreement’s key goal. First, the bad news: “drastic” or “abrupt” changes to the polar ice sheet — such as in Antarctica and Greenland — are likely. Other research suggests polar ice melt may not only contribute to “ominous” sea level rise but also shift Earth itself. The good news is that we likely won’t see such dramatic changes in Arctic sea ice or the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC). The AMOC is a series of ocean currents carrying warm water around the globe and is responsible for redistributing heat on planet Earth. Second: Future developments will either limit or expand the deforestation of the Amazon. But the election of Brazilian president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva — who has promised to tackle deforestation — is a promising sign. Third: Future permafrost activity is uncertain, but as stated before, unlikely to lead to rampant global warming. 2. OUR ABILITY TO ACHIEVE THE PARIS AGREEMENT HINGES ON SOCIAL FACTORS In climate change conversations, we tend to focus on physical processes like extreme weather events or moonshot scientific innovations that could help capture carbon, but we forget that the power to achieve the Paris Agreement rests in our hands — and is not dependent on some future technology. For example, the report hones in on the lack of implementation following UN climate conferences, despite ambitious “green” pledges by world leaders. But it’s still possible that climate protests will lead to major laws tackling climate change, for example. “Human agency has a large potential to shape the way climate futures evolve.” 1. HOW TO SUSTAINABLY ADAPT TO CLIMATE CHANGE Regardless of whether or not we achieve the Paris Agreement, climate change is happening right now, and we’re not doing enough to prepare communities to adapt. The report puts forth a Sustainable Adaptation Plausibility Framework on ways we can plausibly adapt to climate change in a way that’s healthy for the planet. Some examples from the report include things countries are already doing — like using coastal dikes in Germany — and more transformational adaptations like the Dutch Sand Motor pilot, which uses nature-friendly methods to prevent the erosion of beaches. THE WORLD IS CLOSE TO REACHING TIPPING POINTS The IPCC report 2022 says: “It is unequivocal that human influence has warmed the atmosphere, ocean and land”. That should be a stark enough warning to all of us to make the changes we need to in our lives and start recycling, and thinking about using green energy to power our homes, such as solar energy or wind energy. The IPCC report 2022 highlighted two key examples of what could happen: Forests could start to die: As temperatures continue to rise, forests could begin to die off. Trees play a key role in absorbing CO2, so if deforestation occurs, and forests stop growing, it would have disastrous consequences on the environment; Sea levels will continue to rise: As global warming occurs, ice caps melt at a rapid pace, meaning sea levels rise, and towns and cities around coastal areas are in danger of being swallowed up by the oceans. Research published in the Nature Journal suggests that if nothing is done, sea levels could rise by more than a meter by 2100 and by 15 meters over the next 500 years. WHAT’S NEXT Our climate future still remains within our control, but the road ahead will be daunting. If we want to live up to even a shadow of the Paris Agreement’s promise, nothing short of global energy transformations will suffice. We can’t have our cake. Continue churning out fossil fuels and live in a world with a stable climate. It is now important that people do not fool themselves and that they should be aware of the enormous magnitude of the task to re-build energy systems globally. |