Undergraduate Student

Research Area: Development of Gear Box for a novel Wave Energy Converter (WEC) System

Period of Involvement: 8/2022 - 12/2022

Contact email: jgalvey@CougarNet.UH.EDU

John, holder of a UH PURS fellowship, studied different mechanisms that can be used for developing the power take-off (PTO) mechanism of a novel WEC that has been invented by our research group. John’s role was to fabricate the PTO mechanism in 1:20 scale and test it in our laboratory under different speed rates to capture different wave conditions representative of various US coastlines. The tests were successfully conducted using an MTS frame that is located in our structures laboratory.

Graduate Student Mentor: Vasileios Kotzamanis

Undergraduate Student

Research Area: Assistant to Experimental Laboratory Testing

Period of Involvement: 8/2022 - 5/2023

Contact email: gmshenou@cougarnet.uh.edu

George assisted PhD students of our research group in a number of large-scale experimental studies performed in our structures laboratory where he exhibited excellent experimental skills. As part of his work, George had the chance to participate in experiments conducted in the Universal Panel Tester Facility at University of Houston, an one-of its kind facility in the United States.

Graduate Student Mentors: Abdulrahman Salah & Waleed Khan

Undergraduate Student

Research Area: Development of a Skotch-Yoke Mechanism for a novel Wave Energy Converter (WEC) System

Period of Involvement: 11/2021 - 8/2022

Contact email: bcbechte@cougarnet.uh.edu

Brandt, holder of UH PURS and SURF fellowships, studied the development of the piston design to support the PTO mechanism of a novel WEC developed by our research group. Brandt’s main task was to convert the piston’s linear motion into rotational motion that would power the PTO’s motor. The research study resulted in the design of a Scotch-Yoke Mechanism that included a bearing connection to a gearbox, which intended to raise the low RPM to a value capable of generating power within the motor. Brandt’s work helped our group create a basis for further development of our WEC.

Graduate Student Mentor: Vasileios Kotzamanis

Undergraduate Student

Research Area: Optimization of Gear Box for MWEC

Period of Involvement: 1/2024 - 12/2024

contact email: dferrer@cougarnet.uh.edu

David Ferrer, holder of a UH Energy Scholars fellowship, is working on the refinement of a gear box that is part of the PTO mechanism of MWEC.

Graduate Student Mentor: Vasileios Kotzamanis

Undergraduate Student

Research Area: Resiliency of Coastal Communities Against Hurricane Hazards

Period of Involvement: 2/1/2024-present

Contact email: iscamari@cougarnet.uh.edu

Isaiah is investigating the building types in hurricane-prone regions of the United States. He is also working on wave flume destructive testing of nearshore structural systems

Graduate Student Mentor: Vasileios Kotzamanis