Autonomous Watercraft Sampling for Harmful Algal Bloom Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing technologies are inadequate for efficiently detecting, measuring, and predicting harmful algal blooms (HABs) in water bodies, particularly in small, local resources, due to high costs, labor intensity, limited spatial and temporal resolution, and reliance on non-sustainable fuel sources, which poses risks to human and environmental health.

Innovation Solution

An autonomous system comprising a network of watercraft and computing devices that surveil water bodies for algae growth, collect and analyze water samples using various sensors, and predict the spread of HABs, utilizing a combination of satellite data, machine learning models, and sustainable power sources.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If traditional manual sampling and analysis methods are used, then detection accuracy can be maintained, but labor intensity and operational complexity increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection accuracyVSAvoidlabor intensity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The autonomous watercraft performs self-sampling, self-analysis, and self-navigation without human intervention. The system automatically collects water samples, analyzes them using onboard sensors and laboratories, and navigates to predetermined locations, eliminating the need for manual sampling and laboratory analysis while maintaining detection accuracy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Manual mechanical sampling operations are replaced with automated robotic watercraft that use sensors, pumps, and onboard analytical instruments to collect and analyze water samples. The mechanical system performs all sampling and analysis functions autonomously, reducing labor intensity while maintaining measurement precision

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If comprehensive spatial and temporal monitoring is implemented, then detection reliability improves, but system complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection reliabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The monitoring system is divided into multiple autonomous watercraft units, each capable of independent operation. Each watercraft performs segmented functions (sampling, analysis, navigation) autonomously, allowing comprehensive spatial and temporal monitoring through coordinated deployment of multiple simple units rather than one complex centralized system

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Each autonomous watercraft is designed as a multi-functional platform that can perform sampling, analysis, and navigation tasks. The universal design allows the same platform to be deployed across multiple locations and time periods, achieving comprehensive monitoring coverage without requiring different specialized systems for each function

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Measurement precision

If frequent sampling and analysis are conducted, then temporal resolution improves, but energy consumption and operational costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemporal resolutionVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The autonomous watercraft perform sampling and analysis at predetermined time intervals and locations. This periodic operation allows frequent monitoring to achieve high temporal resolution while consuming energy only during scheduled sampling events rather than continuously, optimizing the balance between measurement precision and energy consumption

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The system provides real-time, spatially and temporally resolved data for HAB detection, distinguishing between harmful and benign blooms, while being cost-effective, labor-efficient, and environmentally sustainable.

Implementation Method 1

The sensor includes one or more of a fluorescence-based sensor

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluorescence: Fluorescence

Implementation Method 2

a light detection and ranging (LIDAR) sensor

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLIDAR: LIDAR

Data Source

PatentUS12590939B2Systems, methods, and devices for detecting harmful algal blooms

Publication Date: 2026.03.31 COLORADO STATE UNIV RES FOUND

AI summary

Described herein are systems, methods, and devices for detecting harmful algae blooms. An example system includes autonomous watercraft; and a computing device operably connected to the autonomous watercraft over a network, the computing device including a processor and a memory having computer-executable instructions stored thereon that cause the processor to: surveil a body of water for an algae growth; receive a local condition at the body of water; predict a spread of the algae growth in the body of water based on the local condition; determine a deployment strategy for the autonomous watercraft based on the spread of the algae growth; and transmit one or more control signals to the plurality of autonomous watercraft based on the deployment strategy, where the autonomous watercraft are configured to collect and analyze a plurality of water samples to determine whether the algae growth is a harmful algae bloom.