Development of 'Smart Aquaculture Buoy' Generating Electricity from Seawater

Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology-Korea Institute of Ocean Science and Technology Jointly Develop and Launch with K Labs Co., Ltd.

Prototype of a multipurpose aquaculture buoy based on marine specialized batteries. Photo by Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology.

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bong-su] A smart buoy that generates electricity using sodium ions in seawater and can collect various marine data has been developed.

Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), in collaboration with the Korea Institute of Ocean Science and Technology and K-Labs Co., Ltd., announced on the 16th that they will soon launch the ‘Marine Specialized Battery-Based Multipurpose Aquaculture Buoy.’

This buoy is equipped with a seawater battery that charges and discharges electricity using sodium ions in seawater, and features a customized shape provided at a low cost through 3D printing. It can reliably supply electricity, allowing users to check 15 types of marine data such as the location of the fishing grounds, water temperature, salinity, and pH anytime and anywhere.

The buoy was developed through cooperation between research institutes and private companies from the development stage. Since the prototype was produced with customized support for the technology needed on site, rapid commercialization and field application were possible.

Kim Won-hyo, CEO of K-Labs Co., Ltd., said, “We have developed an affordable and marine-friendly product that can replace the existing expensive marine observation buoys. In the future, we plan to expand into new industries such as developing an IoT-based aquaculture automatic control system, revitalizing fishing activities by attaching fish school detectors, and predicting the marine environment based on accumulated marine big data.”

This prototype development is part of the ‘Regional Vitality Project’ promoted by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy.

Kim Young-sik, director of the UNIST Center for Seawater Resource Technology (Professor of Energy and Chemical Engineering), said, “The smart buoy is an example showing the possibility that fundamental technology developed in university laboratories can contribute to creating new industries in local communities. The data collected through the buoy can be linked to the recently established big data platform in the marine and fisheries sector, leading to the creation of various new industries.”

A Ulsan city official said, “By establishing marine specialized batteries (seawater batteries), we will secure battery reliability and productivity, and through demonstration applying this technology, we will lead the next-generation energy new industry, create new jobs and sales in the region, and help overcome the crisis of the main industries.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.