Project Deepsearch – a novel design approach to manned full ocean depth submersible

Over the past 50 years, advances in engineering have fundamentally changed the way we live our lives. Yet it has been almost 50 years since the only manned expedition to the deepest part of the ocean. In that span, the design strategies for deep ocean exploration have not changed as much as one might think. Viewports remain small. Lead acid batteries typically provide power. In fact, no manned craft exists today that can access all parts of the oceans. DOER developed a concept vehicle called Deepsearch. Our goal is to advance both the use of materials and develop an innovative hull design to provide full working access to the world’s oceans. DOER has been funded to research five areas of innovation:
Platform and Dive Profile: Reduce transit times and eliminate drop ballast
• Floatation alternatives to conventional syntactic foam including SiO2 and Al2O3 ceramic spheres
• Viewports / Personnel Sphere: Increase visibility
• Battery/Fuel Cell technologies
• Testing/Classification
The results of our findings will be openly published here on this site as well as in other venues. The intention is to undertake the build of craft capable of working throughout the water column up to full ocean depth. During the course of this study, we will be identifying vendors and collaborators. Feedback and expressions of interest for projects from Governments and the Scientific Community are encouraged. The engineering effort is being led by DOER’s Tony Lawson and Ian Griffith. Scientific proposals will be reviewed by an outside panel. All inquiries and potential collaborators should be directed to Liz Taylor, President DOER Marine.
DOER Subsea Robotics & Subersible Systems