Description

Professor Michael Bernitsas, the Mortimer Cooley Chair of Engineering at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, is Director of the Marine Renewable Energy Laboratory and Chief Technology Officer of a start-up engineering company, Vortex Hydro Energy.

Professor Bernitsas and I discuss how the vortex-induced vibrations, mostly known for damaging structures, but less known as part of the mechanism of propulsion of schools of fish, can be utilised in a bladeless technology to produce hydropower.

We also talk about:

• the multidisciplinary and exodisciplinary engineering enabling the Blue Economy,
• not to shy away from problems by enriching one's education and skills to land their dream,
• the challenges of the research and commercialisation based on current academic structures, intellectual property and the industries.

Music: "Fortitude" by Lance Conrad

Source: Storyblocks