Marine Technology Society
Who We Are
We are the Marine Technology Society at the University of Texas at Austin, a professional student group dedicated to the field of marine technology and engineering. We strive to develop interest in the marine engineering, contribute to our community, apply classroom knowledge, and create a network between employers and future engineers.
About Us
In 2014, a group of UT students took action agianst the lack of a professional society dedicated to introducing marine technology to the UT student body. Sparked by their enthusiasm in technology and marine engineering, these students registered to contend in the international Marine Advanced Technology Education (MATE) ROV competition as the Aquanauts, all the while raising interest in marine technology within the student body. With an original membership of only 5 students, this humble group held meetings in the student library, fundraised money selling pizza and soda to passersby, and used friend's and apartment building pools to perform tests and research. Over the course of the year, this group would recruit over 10 members of differing engineering fields, build a fully operational ROV, and establish the Marine Technology Society student chapter at the University of Texas at Austin.
In May of 2015, only 8 months after their beginning, the Aquanauts drove their ROV, SeaCow, to Houston, Texas to compete in the regional MATE competition at the NASA Neutral Bouyancy Laboratory and won 2nd place out of 17 teams. The Aquanauts then went on to compete in the international MATE competition the following June in Newfoundland, Canada, exceeding all expectations they had set for themselves and placing top 30 in the world.
Currently, the Marine Technology Society (MTS) hopes to continue sponsoring the Aqaunauts to compete in the annual MATE ROV competition, as well as sponsor other future competitions. MTS also has plans to host a local ROV competition with UT students, high schools, and other colleges to increase interest in the marine technology field within the Austin community. Additionally, MTS hopes to provide professional development for the UT student body by facilitating the networking process between future engineers and members of the marine technology industry.
In May of 2015, only 8 months after their beginning, the Aquanauts drove their ROV, SeaCow, to Houston, Texas to compete in the regional MATE competition at the NASA Neutral Bouyancy Laboratory and won 2nd place out of 17 teams. The Aquanauts then went on to compete in the international MATE competition the following June in Newfoundland, Canada, exceeding all expectations they had set for themselves and placing top 30 in the world.
Currently, the Marine Technology Society (MTS) hopes to continue sponsoring the Aqaunauts to compete in the annual MATE ROV competition, as well as sponsor other future competitions. MTS also has plans to host a local ROV competition with UT students, high schools, and other colleges to increase interest in the marine technology field within the Austin community. Additionally, MTS hopes to provide professional development for the UT student body by facilitating the networking process between future engineers and members of the marine technology industry.
Our Vision
The Marine Technology Society's focus surrounds four primary goals: raising interest in marine technology, providing technical experiences in the field, establishing community outreach, and facilitating networking between future engineers and the marine industry. The dedication and enthusiasm of our members accomplishes these goals and is the driving force behind our organization.
RAISE INTEREST
MTS encourages the development of marine technology within the University of Texas at Austin student body as well as the surrounding community. Our society is the only organization on campus dedicated to inspriring students to enter the marine technology industry and show them the opportunities available after graduation.
TECHNICAL EXPERIENCE
Applying classroom knowledge into the field allows students to gain valuable experience working as a team to solve problems. Competing in international competitions like the Marine Advanced Technology Education ROV competition creates an opportunity for students to apply themselves in marine technology.
COMMUNITY OUTREACH
Reaching out to the local community is a priority for MTS. Passing on knowledge and helping local high school robotics teams learn the process of design and engineering allows the organization to establish a pathway for future engineers to follow into marine STEM fields.
NETWORK
MTS actively contacts companies operating in the marine technology field to come speak to and interact with students. Providing this outlet allows students to understand the professional level of marine engineering and establish their own network to enter the industry.
Officers
President:
Darren Tan
V. President:
Chris Han
Corporate Affairs Officer:
Joseph Reyes
Media Officer/ Webmaster:
J.B. Harvey
Recruiter/Social Officer:
Mike Rukavina
Treasurer:
Andres Rosales
Secretary:
Zanil Narsing
The ROV
The Aquanauts
In 2014, 5 students registered to compete in the Marine Advanced Technology Education (MATE) ROV competition. Using their enthusiasm for marine technology, dedication, and classroom knowledge, these 5 members were able to recruit an additional 7 members and build a fully functional ROV. Branding themseleves as the Aquanauts and their ROV as the SeaCow, this team contended the SeaCow against 17 other MATE teams in the 2015 regional competition.
As a first year team, the Aquanauts won 2nd place and qualified for the international MATE competition in Newfoundland, Canada. There they ranked top 30 in the world, exceeding all expectations. Currently, they are designing the future ROV to compete in the 2016 season.
The Aquanauts value learning and passing on experiences to new members. The priority of this team is to provide an environment for students to gain experience in a large scale technical project and better understand design and engineering principles.
As a first year team, the Aquanauts won 2nd place and qualified for the international MATE competition in Newfoundland, Canada. There they ranked top 30 in the world, exceeding all expectations. Currently, they are designing the future ROV to compete in the 2016 season.
The Aquanauts value learning and passing on experiences to new members. The priority of this team is to provide an environment for students to gain experience in a large scale technical project and better understand design and engineering principles.
The SeaCow
The SeaCow is constructed from a machined aluminum frame and laser cut acrylic sheets. Designed using SolidWorks, the ROV is built for scalability and to provide ample room for future equipment and additions.
SeaCow is equipped with a manipulator with two degrees of freedom and a custom claw operated by a gear mesh system.
6 DC brushless motors arranged in a vector thrust system give the SeaCow full mobility within an aquatic environment. Additionally, the electronics housing is also the main source of buoyancy.
Finally, the ROV is equipped with 2 webcameras, a bilge pump, an IMU, and internal humidity and temperature sensors.
SeaCow is equipped with a manipulator with two degrees of freedom and a custom claw operated by a gear mesh system.
6 DC brushless motors arranged in a vector thrust system give the SeaCow full mobility within an aquatic environment. Additionally, the electronics housing is also the main source of buoyancy.
Finally, the ROV is equipped with 2 webcameras, a bilge pump, an IMU, and internal humidity and temperature sensors.
The Future ROV
The Aquanauts began designing the future ROV just weeks after returning from the international competition in Canada. Inspired by our competitors, we have great dreams for the new ROV.
Without giving our hand away, some of the things we are looking into are machine vision, custom software, and humidty sensors.
If you are a potential coporate sponsor and share our hope to see this vision come true, please visit the CONTACT US page for imformation on how to support us.
Without giving our hand away, some of the things we are looking into are machine vision, custom software, and humidty sensors.
If you are a potential coporate sponsor and share our hope to see this vision come true, please visit the CONTACT US page for imformation on how to support us.
Contact Us
Contact Information:
For prospective student members:
Recruitment Officer: Michael Rukavina
E-Mail: social.utmts@gmail.comFor potential corporate partners:
Corporate Affairs Officer: Logan Head
E-Mail: corporateaffairs.utmts@gmail.com