Harvard Engineering Students 3D Print VTOL Drone to Improve Marine Biology Research

Key Takeaways

• Harvard engineering students Kuma McCraw and Mikaya Parente designed a 3D printed VTOL drone to improve marine biology research, specifically tracking sperm whale populations.
• The drone addresses limitations of current quadcopter drones, including short flight times, low energy efficiency, and suboptimal antenna configurations.
• The VTOL drone provides more accurate location tracking of sperm whales tagged with VHF transmitters, enabling researchers to collect measurements from multiple positions.

Introduction to 3D Printed Drones

The civilian drone market is experiencing significant growth, with applications in photography, videography, infrastructure inspection, and environmental monitoring. Additive manufacturing (AM) is driving the production of drones for various applications, including a recent project by two Harvard students who created a 3D printed VTOL drone to improve marine biology research.

The Need for Improved Whale Tracking

Current methods for tracking sperm whale populations rely on quadcopter drones, which have limitations such as short flight times (typically 20-30 minutes), low energy efficiency, and suboptimal antenna configurations. These limitations reduce the survey area and make it difficult to maintain sufficient antenna separation for accurate signal triangulation. The new VTOL drone design aims to address these limitations, providing more accurate location tracking of sperm whales tagged with VHF transmitters.

Comparison of Drone Types

The 3D Printed VTOL Drone Project

Kuma McCraw and Mikaya Parente, both mechanical engineering majors, designed and 3D printed the VTOL drone as their senior project. They were inspired by their previous experience with 3D printing a quadcopter for the MakeHarvard hardware design competition. The VTOL drone provides a more efficient and accurate solution for tracking sperm whale populations, with a longer flight time (up to 90 minutes) and improved antenna configuration.

Conclusion

The 3D printed VTOL drone designed by McCraw and Parente has the potential to significantly improve marine biology research, particularly in tracking sperm whale populations. With its longer flight time, higher energy efficiency, and optimal antenna configuration, this drone addresses the limitations of current quadcopter drones. As the civilian drone market continues to grow, innovative applications like this will drive the development of new technologies and solutions.

Bottom Line

The Harvard engineering students' 3D printed VTOL drone is a significant innovation in marine biology research, providing a more accurate and efficient solution for tracking sperm whale populations. With the growth of the civilian drone market and the increasing importance of environmental monitoring, this project demonstrates the potential of additive manufacturing and drone technology to drive positive change in various fields.