Sea Gliders

SENIOR DESIGN · ENGINEERING ARCHIVE

Hands-free scuba propulsion

Preliminary thruster powering/control · T04

Sea Gliders is a senior design project exploring wearable propulsion that lets a scuba diver keep both hands available for tasks. The intended device supplements fin propulsion with two thigh-mounted thrusters, a separate battery enclosure and a wrist control. The team’s goal is to support underwater task work while keeping the equipment compact, accessible and compatible with existing scuba gear. Reduced effort and better task mobility are intended benefits; comparative fatigue or air-consumption improvements have not been measured. Project report

Explore the system
Blue/red thruster, APISQUEEN ESC and labeled battery with loose leads on a workbench.
Preliminary dry-bench thruster powering setup from the third SD2 check-in. The photograph documents components used in startup work; it does not establish measured thrust or an integrated underwater system.

The supplied development record progresses from stakeholder research and analytical sizing to CAD revisions, printed components and preliminary thruster powering/control. SD2 narrows the functional prototype to one working thruster. Printed stand-ins communicate the intended wearable arrangement, and enclosure sealing is a separate proposed demonstration. The records do not establish completion of all three demonstrations or an integrated, diver-tested product. Scope and hardware decision

Explore the needs and targets, design decisions, system architecture, analyses, prototype progression and test evidence. The risk and next-work register explains the remaining development priorities.

Team

The April 19, 2026 report names the six team members below and Dr. Downey as mentor. The table lists their role assignments at that stage. Report, team roles

Team — table 1
MemberEngineering focus in the reportProject responsibility
Elyion ClyburnElectrical, controls, simulation/modelingEditor and report reviewer
Alexander EscapaFluids, ergonomics, simulation/modelingStakeholder communication lead
Sean FreayElectrical, controls, materials/manufacturingDocumentation lead
Sofia JacksonMechanical/structural, controls, materials/manufacturingTimeline keeper
Steven SanchezElectrical, thermal, materials/manufacturingProcurement and budget manager
Camila SotolongoFluids, ergonomics, modeling/simulationQuality assurance and rubric compliance