Undergraduate Research Accomplishments Accomplishments: Engineering Majors at the Marine Renewable Energy Collegiate Competition

Four engineering majors, Liam Cross, Christopher Collick, Chalres Fitzgerald, and Liam McKenzie, who come from fields ranging from Marine Sciences to Environmental and Mechanical Engineering, under the guidance of Professors Daniel G. MacDonald and Mehdi Raessi, participated in the Marine Renewable Energy Collegiate Competition (MECC) during WaterPower Week in Washington D.C. in May 2023. The team's participation was not limited to a formal poster or talk; instead, they presented a business plan pitch, an outreach presentation, and a poster as part of the competition. Their travel was partially funded by the Office of Undergraduate Research (OUR), the US Department of Energy, and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory. The team's project, the Maximal Asymmetric Drag Energy Converter (MADWEC), uses a ballast system and an underwater subsystem to convert wave energy into usable electrical power, demonstrating their commitment to sustainable energy solutions. Their vision for a clean energy future involves harnessing natural elements to generate sustainable electrical energy, thereby reducing environmental impact and promoting technological advancements.