Canada boasts the longest coastline in the world, a vital asset for both environmental sustainability and commercial activity. To ensure that our coastal communities thrive, it is crucial to interact responsibly with marine ecosystems. The ICONS Research Cluster focuses on addressing key challenges such as reducing anthropogenic acoustic noise, minimizing air pollution, developing low-resistance and eco-friendly marine coatings, and monitoring coastal and ocean changes due to climate change and human development. These challenges require an interdisciplinary approach that combines engineering innovations, marine biology, and public policy while integrating environmental and economic considerations.
The overarching goal of the ICONS Cluster is to unite distinct research communities focused on coasts (shallow waters and rivers), oceans (deep waters), and naval systems (vessels operating above and below the water surface). By leveraging advanced computation, machine learning, and innovative sensing technologies, our cluster aims to create a unified knowledge base that enhances the sustainability and safety of our marine environments.
Timely Initiatives
The establishment of the ICONS Cluster is timely due to three significant factors:
Advancements in AI: Recent developments in artificial intelligence are poised to transform vessel design, marine robotics, and data analysis, allowing us to address complex challenges effectively.
Ongoing Engineering Research: Funded by NSERC/Seaspan Industrial Research Chairs, our Intelligent and Green Marine Vessel (IGMV) project aims to design efficient vessels that produce fewer greenhouse gas emissions and reduce harmful underwater noise.
New Leadership: The recruitment of a Seaspan Chair in marine robotics and sensing in 2023 further strengthens our expertise and focus on innovative technologies.
RESEARCH THEMES
Marine Design and Multiphysics Analysis
We utilize multiphysics simulations and data-driven models to develop sustainable designs for marine vessels and biological systems. This theme focuses on innovative designs for propellers and hulls that minimize acoustic emissions, AI-accelerated simulation methods, and the creation of physics-based digital twins for predictive modeling.
Marine Robotics, Sensing, and Communication
Innovations in marine robotics are essential for unobtrusive monitoring of coastal and marine environments. This theme emphasizes the use of low-cost, small-profile robots for rapid deployment, integrating offline and online data to enhance situational awareness. Applications include creating synthetic acoustic arrays from swarm robots to monitor marine habitats.
Clean Power Systems and Alternative Fuels
Achieving decarbonization goals set by the International Maritime Organization is critical. This theme focuses on developing intelligent control strategies, advanced power conversion techniques, and integrated electric propulsion systems for marine vessels, aligning technical advancements with maritime policy and regulation.
Marine Coatings and Manufacturing
Coastal infrastructures and naval systems face harsh environmental conditions. This theme addresses the need for new structural materials and environmentally-friendly coatings to improve resistance against corrosion and fouling. We aim to develop low-cost, sustainable coatings using AI and multiphysics tools alongside robotics.
Coastal, Port, and Waterways Management
As climate change and marine pollution pose significant threats, this theme leverages state-of-the-art multiphysics and AI tools to identify high-risk conditions and support adaptive planning for coastal systems. We will explore nature-based solutions to protect infrastructures while providing ecological benefits.
Ocean Environment and Public Policy
Understanding the interactions between physical ocean processes, marine ecosystems, and shoreline infrastructure is vital for environmental sustainability. This theme focuses on mitigating environmental impacts through intelligent design, infrastructure development, and science-based marine policies that promote pollution prevention and controlled navigation routes.
Current Projects
Urban Freight System Emissions: Improved Characterization for Mitigation Planning
The Urban Freight System Emissions project at the University of British Columbia (UBC), funded by Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC), is focused on improving the understanding of emissions from urban freight systems. This 5-year initiative aims to identify effective strategies for reducing greenhouse gases (GHGs), air pollutants, and health-harming emissions from freight transportation in real-world settings.
By conducting high-resolution measurements of emissions, air quality, and toxicity—along with advanced modeling and optimization—the project will deliver critical data and tools for decision-makers in government and industry. These insights will help create targeted, actionable interventions to reduce emissions, improve air quality, and promote public health.
The project’s findings will be highly relevant to urban systems across Canada, particularly in Western Canada, and will contribute to efforts to decarbonize freight systems and foster sustainable, resilient cities.
Find more information here: https://cerc.ubc.ca/innovation/urban-freight-system-emissions/?login
Pathways to Zero-Impact Shipping
Clear Seas, in collaboration with the National Research Council of Canada (NRC) and the University of British Columbia (UBC), is developing a comprehensive assessment framework to evaluate and prioritize technological solutions for reducing the environmental impacts of marine shipping.
Funded by the Government of Canada and Mitacs’ Accelerate Program, this multi-year project, led by Dr. Amanda Giang (UBC) and Dr. Terre Satterfield (UBC), aims to address the growing environmental concerns associated with marine shipping, including air pollution, oil discharges, microplastics, underwater noise, and the spread of invasive species. While shipping is the most energy-efficient mode of freight transport, increasing vessel traffic calls for urgent action to reduce its environmental footprint.
The project will use a multi-criteria sustainability assessment to develop a framework that evaluates the full range of environmental impacts and identifies the most promising technologies for mitigation. This publicly accessible tool will help prioritize R&D, inform policy decisions, and guide technology adoption for retrofitting existing ships and designing new vessels, all contributing to the goal of “zero-impact shipping.”
Find more information here: https://clearseas.org/research/pathways-to-zero-impact-shipping/