First Name
Antoine
Last Name
Peiffer
Affiliation
Mechanical Engineering department，UC-Berkeley
(Preliminary) PhD Title
Modeling and Evaluation of a Wave-Energy Device - A Point Absorber with Linear Generator (Master Thesis)
PhD abstract
The purpose of this research is to demonstrate the technical feasibility of an ocean wave-energy conversion device, that can be optimized for transforming wave power to electrical power. The device is in the point absorber family. It includes a cylindrical floater and a 3-phase linear generator with a moving rotor and a fixed stator. The research first involves theoretical modeling to guide the design and optimize the power output and efficiency. Then, a working physical unit was constructed. The linear generator was tested during a dry bench-test aiming at understanding its performance. Finally, the complete physical unit was tested in a water tank containing a computer-controlled wave-maker at the UC Berkeley Richmond Field Station. The various physical components in the system contributing to the overall performance are explained.
Antoine would like to use the Open Innovation concepts to connect people in the renewable energy field (namely in the marine area) so that they can aggregate together and work on new designs. The objective is to use external ideas from different people in the field and come up with innovative and feasible devices.
Antoine is also writing an article about the music industry: In the digital world, new intermediaries can bring artists and audiences closer together, by using Open Innovation concepts and innovative business models designed for that purpose.