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Miami Herald
25-05-2025
- Politics
- Miami Herald
Florida bill would ban ‘chemtrails' and ‘geoengineering.' But what are they?
When Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis recently said he'd sign into law a ban on "weather modification activities" - such as spreading tiny particles into the air from aircraft to control sunlight - it raised long-standing controversies over "geoengineering" and "chemtrails." "I think it's kind of caricatured as kind of kooky," DeSantis said during a May 6 news conference in Miami. "But if you look, there are movements, private businesses, and their view is: We can save you from global warming by injecting different things in the atmosphere, blocking the sun and doing all this stuff. "And that is something that we're not going to do in Florida. … We're the Sunshine State. We want to have the nice sunshine." The coming ban on weather modification may have good intentions, weather experts said this week, but it conflates legitimate geoengineering research with conspiracy theories about chemtrails - an unsubstantiated belief that chemicals spewed into the air, and even the familiar white streaks or contrails airplanes leave behind in the sky, could dangerously alter the weather and rain down toxic chemicals on an unsuspecting public. Plus, these experts wonder if a ban is even necessary. "I'm not aware of anything going on in Florida and I can't think of any programs," Michael Splitt, an assistant professor of meteorology in the College of Aeronautics at the Florida Institute of Technology, said about geoengineering. "I just don't understand the priority," Splitt said about the legislation. "People are worried about chemtrails. But polluted cities have a lot of particles already in the air. You drive in city traffic and you breathe in the exhaust fumes." Geoengineering - also known as climate engineering - refers to large-scale efforts to combat climate change. That includes proposals to "suck carbon dioxide" out of the sky so the atmosphere will trap less heat or to fire small reflective aluminum particles into the air to act as mirrors and deflect the sun's rays away from Earth, according to a 2019 report by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The bill sponsored by state Sen. Ileana Garcia, R-Miami, would prohibit "the injection, release, or dispersion by any means of a chemical, chemical compound, substance, or an apparatus into the atmosphere" to affect the climate or sunlight. Anyone found guilty of the felony could face fines of up to $100,000 with all funds collected used for air pollution control. The bill also would require the Florida Department of Environmental Protection to set up a hotline for anyone to report chemtrails or geoengineering efforts. Tennessee passed a similar law last year and other Republican-controlled legislatures - including Kentucky, Arizona and Iowa - have introduced bills to halt geoengineering and chemtrails. Initially discovered during the first high-altitude flights in the 1920s, contrails are created when hot air from a plane's engines condenses into ice crystals in the cold air. Their appearance and length of time in the sky depends on the temperature, humidity, wind speed and altitude, according to the National Weather Service. Some contrails last long enough for other planes to fly by creating crisscrossing lines. Garcia, who joined DeSantis at the press conference, suggested people are frightened by them. "Many complain constantly about 'Oh what's this Etch A Sketch in the sky? What is it that's going on above and beyond the clouds?'," she said. But the deeper concern goes beyond ice crystals, to the notion that government agencies are trying to poison the populace or affect weather patterns through geoengineering. Those people include U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Georgia, who on Oct. 3 posted on X: "Yes they can control the weather. It's ridiculous for anyone to lie and say it can't be done." A report titled "Fact check: Debunking weather modification claims" released later that month by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration rebutted such claims, stating that solar radiation modification methods have never moved beyond the research stage. So far, it's nothing more than scientists and researchers running computer simulations. Still, some think the research should go no further. Mark Jacobson, director of atmosphere and energy program at Stanford University in California who holds a doctorate degree in atmospheric science, called geoengineering efforts to redirect sunlight "a hare-brained scheme" that can have drastic effects if they were implemented. "It's a horrible idea," Jacobson said this week. "These particles will have unintended consequences by reducing sunlight and you are reducing photosynthesis that could lead to the loss of crops and mass starvation. "And it doesn't reduce one bit of greenhouse gas emissions … It's a waste of time and money. So in that sense I agree with the legislation." But Garcia's bill "distracts people from actually solving the problem of climate change," Jacobson said. Instead, efforts should be made to reduce greenhouse gas emissions on Earth rather than in the skies, he said. Garcia stands by her bill, which awaits DeSantis' signature after it passed the House 82-28 and the Senate 28-9. "We have a right to know what is being introduced into our atmosphere, and what the potential ramifications are," Garcia said during the Miami news conference which was attended by bill supporter Marla Maples, President Donald Trump's second wife. They divorced in 1999. _______ Copyright (C) 2025, Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Portions copyrighted by the respective providers.
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Florida bill would ban ‘chemtrails' and ‘geoengineering.' But what are they?
When Gov. Ron DeSantis recently said he'd sign into law a ban on 'weather modification activities' — such as spreading tiny particles into the air from aircraft to control sunlight — it raised long-standing controversies over 'geoengineering' and 'chemtrails.' 'I think it's kind of caricatured as kind of kooky,' DeSantis said during a May 6 news conference in Miami. 'But if you look, there are movements, private businesses, and their view is: We can save you from global warming by injecting different things in the atmosphere, blocking the sun and doing all this stuff. 'And that is something that we're not going to do in Florida. … We're the Sunshine State. We want to have the nice sunshine.' The coming ban on weather modification may have good intentions, weather experts said this week, but it conflates legitimate geoengineering research with conspiracy theories about chemtrails — an unsubstantiated belief that chemicals spewed into the air, and even the familiar white streaks or contrails airplanes leave behind in the sky, could dangerously alter the weather and rain down toxic chemicals on an unsuspecting public. Plus, these experts wonder if a ban is even necessary. 'I'm not aware of anything going on in Florida and I can't think of any programs,' Michael Splitt, an assistant professor of meteorology in the College of Aeronautics at the Florida Institute of Technology, said about geoengineering. 'I just don't understand the priority,' Splitt said about the legislation. 'People are worried about chemtrails. But polluted cities have a lot of particles already in the air. You drive in city traffic and you breathe in the exhaust fumes.' Geoengineering — also known as climate engineering — refers to large-scale efforts to combat climate change. That includes proposals to 'suck carbon dioxide' out of the sky so the atmosphere will trap less heat or to fire small reflective aluminum particles into the air to act as mirrors and deflect the sun's rays away from Earth, according to a 2019 report by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The bill sponsored by State Sen. Ileana Garcia, R-Miami (SB56) would prohibit 'the injection, release, or dispersion by any means of a chemical, chemical compound, substance, or an apparatus into the atmosphere' to affect the climate or sunlight. Anyone found guilty of the felony could face fines of up to $100,000 with all funds collected used for air pollution control. The bill also would require the Florida Department of Environmental Protection to set up a hotline for anyone to report chemtrails or geoengineering efforts. Tennessee passed a similar law last year and other Republican-controlled legislatures — including Kentucky, Arizona and Iowa — have introduced bills to halt geoengineering and chemtrails. Initially discovered during the first high-altitude flights in the 1920s, contrails are created when hot air from a plane's engines condenses into ice crystals in the cold air. Their appearance and length of time in the sky depends on the temperature, humidity, wind speed and altitude, according to the National Weather Service. Some contrails last long enough for other planes to fly by creating crisscrossing lines. Garcia, who joined DeSantis at the press conference, suggested people are frightened by them. 'Many complain constantly about 'Oh what's this Etch A Sketch in the sky? What is it that's going on above and beyond the clouds?',' she said. But the deeper concern goes beyond ice crystals, to the notion that government agencies are trying to poison the populace or affect weather patterns through geoengineering. Those people include U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Georgia, who on Oct. 3 posted on X: 'Yes they can control the weather. It's ridiculous for anyone to lie and say it can't be done.' A report titled 'Fact check: Debunking weather modification claims' released later that month by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration rebutted such claims, stating that solar radiation modification methods have never moved beyond the research stage. So far, it's nothing more than scientists and researchers running computer simulations. Still, some think the research should go no further. Mark Jacobson, director of atmosphere and energy program at Stanford University in California who holds a doctorate degree in atmospheric science, called geoengineering efforts to redirect sunlight 'a hare-brained scheme' that can have drastic effects if they were implemented. 'It's a horrible idea,' Jacobson said this week. 'These particles will have unintended consequences by reducing sunlight and you are reducing photosynthesis that could lead to the loss of crops and mass starvation. 'And it doesn't reduce one bit of greenhouse gas emissions … It's a waste of time and money. So in that sense I agree with the legislation.' But Garcia's bill 'distracts people from actually solving the problem of climate change,' Jacobson said. Instead, efforts should be made to reduce greenhouse gas emissions on Earth rather than in the skies, he said. Garcia stands by her bill, which awaits DeSantis' signature after it passed the House 82-28 and the Senate 28-9. 'We have a right to know what is being introduced into our atmosphere, and what the potential ramifications are,' Garcia said during the Miami news conference which was attended by bill supporter Marla Maples, President Donald Trump's second wife. They divorced in 1999.
Yahoo
22-04-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Did we actually find signs of alien life on K2-18b? 'We should expect some false alarms and this may be one'
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Last week, a team of astronomers ignited global headlines by announcing the "strongest evidence yet" for life beyond our solar system, ushering in what appears to be the latest chapter in humanity's search for aliens — but is it? The team's findings, based on their analysis of James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) data, point to an abundance of dimethyl sulfide (DMS) molecules in the atmosphere of a planet known as K2-18b, which circles its star about 120 light-years from Earth in the Leo constellation. Because DMS is almost exclusively produced by life forms like marine algae on Earth, astronomers consider it a potential "biosignature" in the search for life — past or present — elsewhere in the universe. According to Nikku Madhusudhan of the University of Cambridge and his colleagues, the best explanation for the presence of these molecules — DMS and its chemical cousin dimethyl disulfide, or DMDS, which is also a potential biosignature — on K2-18b is therefore that the planet could be an ocean world "teeming with life." "These are the first hints we are seeing of an alien world that is possibly inhabited," Madhusudhan told reporters in a press briefing. "This is a revolutionary moment." However, the excitement sparked by the announcement was quickly tempered by a wave of caution, with scientists emphasizing that the results are still preliminary and come with several caveats. Chief among them is the fact that Madhusudhan and his team reported their DMS detection with a three-sigma statistical significance, indicating a 0.3% chance of it being due to random chance. Experts point out that this falls short of the typical five-sigma standard required for a scientific discovery to minimize false positives, which translates to a 0.00003% chance that the findings are due to a statistical fluke. "As Carl Sagan used to say, life is the hypothesis of last resort." Additionally, the data gathered for the new K2-18b study seems to push the JWST to its limits, and critics say the researchers might have used a biased model that effectively artificially inflated the significance of DMS wafting in the planet's atmosphere. "Concluding that DMS has been detected appears to be premature," Manasvi Lingam, an astrobiologist at the Florida Institute of Technology, who wasn't involved in the new research, told The latest research "involves new data, but until that data has been analyzed independently by others, we cannot make any claims about K2-18b's habitability and the possible existence of life." Eddie Schwieterman, an assistant professor of astrobiology at the University of California, Riverside, who was not involved with the new research, said he was particularly surprised that ethane wasn't found alongside the possible DMS or DMDS signal. The host star's UV radiation should break down the molecules and form abundant ethane as a byproduct, he explained, meaning its absence in Madhusudhan's data doesn't align with scientists' understanding of planetary atmospheres. "Either our models are in error, or the DMS/DMDS might not exist," Schwieterman told "Finding life outside the solar system won't be a 'one and done' detection — along the way, we should expect some false alarms and this may be one." Madhusudhan and his colleagues first reported a possible DMS detection on K2-18b in 2023, using the JWST then as well. That finding met its own share of skepticism, and was not upheld by independent analyses of the same data. However, this latest study utilized a different JWST instrument and analyzed the planet at different wavelengths, which the research team claims provides a stronger and clearer indication of DMS/DMDS molecules. Still, many scientists are once again injecting doses of skepticism on the high-profile claim, emphasizing the need for rigorous scientific scrutiny because there is potential for more ordinary, non-biological explanations for the sought-after molecule in K2-18b's atmosphere. Christopher Glein, a planetary scientist at the Southwest Research Institute in Texas who was not involved with the new study, said his reaction to the announcement "is one of interest but restraint." "We need to resist the temptation to find a smoking gun," he told "The search for life is hard. For a convincing case to be made, multiple self-consistent lines of evidence will need to be assembled." Other critics argue Madhusudhan and his team engaged in "statistical hacking" by building a selective model where DMS and DMDS are the only explanations for half of K2-18b's atmospheric light spectrum, thereby artificially boosting the molecules' significance. "Reproducibility is a hallmark of science. We need to see that moving forward," said Glein. "Did they find a needle in the haystack, or just a sharp piece of hay?" Before a planet can be inhabited, it must be habitable. In 2021, K2-18b's initial atmospheric composition had led Madhusudhan and his colleagues to suggest the planet harbors a warm ocean blanketed by a hydrogen-rich atmosphere. Key to that conclusion was the detection of carbon dioxide, or CO2, in the planet's atmosphere, which led the team to suggest the world is potentially capable of hosting microbial life. However, more recent studies have questioned that CO2 calculation, raising the possibility that the planet may be too close to its star to support stable liquid water on its surface. "As much as we want it to be, I am not sure that K2-18b is habitable," said Glein. Scientists are also at a very early stage in understanding the chemistry of sub-Neptune exoplanets like K2-18b, he said, which means we aren't so sure yet what the abiotic background, or non-biological composition, of these worlds should look like. "These things take time — we've learned in recent years that an anomaly does not necessarily mean life," said Glein. Matt Genge, a planetary scientist at the Imperial College London, who was not part of the new research, noted that more context and possible formation pathways are needed to explain the abundance of detected molecules in the planet's atmosphere before scientists can confidently attribute the signal to life rather than non-living chemistry or geology. "When a discovery is as monumental as the discovery of alien life, the bar is set very high for convincing evidence," said Genge. "As a geologist who studies planets, I question the assumption that these molecules can only be produced by life." If future observations determine that DMS or DMDS is indeed present in the planet's atmosphere, "then it's possible we might be seeing evidence of some cool chemistry rather than biochemistry," said Glein. "As Carl Sagan used to say, life is the hypothesis of last resort." There is also disagreement about whether DMS should even be considered a reliable biosignature, astrobiologist Michaela Musilova, who was also not involved in the new research, told A recent study suggested atmospheric interactions between UV radiation, methane and hydrogen sulfide could lead to a buildup of DMS and DMDS in the upper atmosphere of an otherwise inhospitable world. Traces of DMS have also been detected on a cold comet devoid of life, which "suggests that these types of molecules could be produced by chemical processes that we are not yet familiar with," said Musilova. "Until findings are confirmed by multiple teams and through multiple methods, everything directly related to biosignatures and detecting alien life remains, for me, in the 'potential discovery' category," she added. Related Stories: — Possible signs of alien life found on nearby exoplanet, study reports — Does exoplanet K2-18b host alien life or not? Here's why the debate continues — We finally know where to look for life on Mars The search for extraterrestrial life is sprinkled with tantalizing hints that have often ultimately turned out to have non-biological explanations. For instance, a potential signal of phosphine — also considered a possible biosignature — in the clouds of Venus ended up being a false alarm. The complexity of exoplanetary atmospheres and the limitations of current observational technology mean that interpreting signals from light-years away is a delicate and challenging process. Even if K2-18b doesn't ultimately prove to host life, the techniques and insights gained from studying it will be useful for future investigations of other potentially habitable worlds, said Musilova. "Every new set of data in the astrobiology field is valuable and it can help us advance towards better understanding whether alien life exists elsewhere in the universe and how our life came to be on Earth." "I just want to make sure that we balance our enthusiasm with a proper dose of patience," said Glein. "It's going to be a fun ride, but we should fasten our seatbelts."
USA Today
11-04-2025
- USA Today
16 hours, 10 time zones, no regrets: How to fly ultra-long-haul without losing your mind
16 hours, 10 time zones, no regrets: How to fly ultra-long-haul without losing your mind Show Caption Hide Caption The myth of travel hacks, debunked There's no secret formula for cheap flights. Here's the truth about travel "hacks." Cruising Altitude Prioritize comfort and reliability over price or loyalty programs for ultra-long-haul flights. Choose reputable airlines known for long-haul flights and consider upgrading your seat. Opt for newer aircraft like the Airbus A350 or Boeing 787 for better air quality and lower noise levels. Consider a stopover to break up the journey and minimize jet lag. The flight between Doha, Qatar, and Auckland, New Zealand, is one of the longest in the world – a seemingly never-ending journey that crosses 10 time zones in 16 hours. How do you choose the right airline for an ultra-long-haul flight like that? It's not an abstract question. One of this year's big travel trends is detour destinations – visiting faraway places like Japan, New Zealand and the United Arab Emirates. To get there from the U.S., you'll spend 12 hours or more on a plane. Check out Elliott Confidential, the newsletter the travel industry doesn't want you to read. Each issue is filled with breaking news, deep insights, and exclusive strategies for becoming a better traveler. But don't tell anyone! 'You'll want to consider an airline that specializes in long-haul flights,' said William Rankin, an aviation expert at Florida Institute of Technology in Melbourne, Fla. 'You will likely encounter fewer problems and have a more enjoyable experience.' The effects of long-distance air travel are well-documented and include lower blood oxygen levels, dehydration, jet lag, and the risk of a blood clot. So how do you find an airline that won't leave you exhausted and irritated? The expert advice is surprisingly contrarian. The rules for long-haul travel are different from those for flying domestically or even on shorter segments to Europe or Hawaii. Among other things, you'll need to prioritize comfort and reliability over price or loyalty points. I survived my flight from Doha to Auckland, and I learned a thing or two about ultra-long-distance travel. I'll tell you about that in a moment. Make your journey safer and smarter: Sign up for USA TODAY's Travel newsletter. Experts: Comfort is a priority You might be tempted to book an airline that will help you maximize your miles. But consider my trip to New Zealand. To collect points on one of my preferred U.S. airlines, I would have had to fly through another city, more than doubling my travel time with a stopover in Hong Kong or Shenzhen. "With the loyalty points and airline status, some consumers are married to their airlines and are less flexible to change things up even when a particular airline is known to deliver a five-star experience," said Susan Sherren, who runs the travel agency Couture Trips. "Cost is also a motivating force." Sherren advises spending a little more and worrying less about the miles when you're dealing with an ultra-long-haul flight. ▶ Book a reputable airline: This was a tough lesson for me, but I learned it when I booked a cheap flight from Madrid to Buenos Aires on a no-name carrier a few years ago. I spent 13 hours with almost no personal space and almost no service. I'm still working through the trauma. Thierry Antinori, the chief commercial officer at Qatar Airways, said you have to do your research before you book. Consult sources like Airline Ratings or Skytrax for guidance. "Look for one of the top-rated airlines for the most comfort," he told me. And what are the top-rated airlines? I have a personal shortlist of airlines that are safe for long distances. It includes Air New Zealand, Cathay Pacific, the Gulf carriers (Emirates, Etihad, Qatar), the major Japanese airlines (ANA and Japan Airlines), Korean Air, Qantas, Singapore Airlines and Turkish Airlines. ▶ Avoid the cheap seats: If you book the right airline, you also need the right seat. Kat Shortsleeve, founder of the boutique travel company Shortsleeve Travel, recommends splurging for a bigger seat. "For a 12-plus hour flight, seat pitch and width make a big difference," she said. "Airlines with upgraded premium economy or lie-flat seats are worth it for these long journeys." ▶ New planes = better experience: There's one more thing before you book. Check the type of plane, which will be listed online when you make the reservation. Newer aircraft like the Airbus A350 and Boeing 787 are designed with passenger well-being in mind, and they often offer better air quality and lower noise levels, according to experts. Joe Cronin recently decided to spend a little more in order to fly with ANA from New York to Tokyo. Cronin, a frequent flier who runs an air ambulance service, said it made a noticeable difference in post-flight recovery. "I felt much better after I landed," he said. How I survived 16 hours on a plane Ultra-long-distance flying is hard. Even if you can stay hydrated and get enough sleep, you have to deal with the aftermath – jet lag, including extreme fatigue and difficulty sleeping at night – and the possibility of catching a cold. My trip started in Istanbul, so I only had a few choices. I could go for the cheapest flight, connecting through China with several lengthy stopovers. Or I could fly through the Middle East on one of the Gulf carriers. My choice came down to Emirates or Qatar Airways. Both have an excellent reputation for customer service and treat all of their passengers well, even if you're in economy class. I chose Qatar Airways because I had already flown the carrier on an ultra-long-haul flight in economy class from Doha to Cape Town, South Africa, and I was surprised by how comfortable it was. I had enough room for my long legs and the food was tasty. The Qatar flight checked a lot of boxes. It was a nonstop flight on a new Airbus A350-1000. And I was lucky to snag an upgrade to Qatar's business class, Qsuites, and passes to its new Louis Vuitton lounge. To offset the stress of a long trip, I booked two nights through Qatar Airways' stopover program at the Crowne Plaza. I spent two days decompressing in Doha, visiting the museums, malls and riding the Doha Metro, which is probably the best mass transit system in the world. The flight was practically flawless. I had a strong Internet connection over most of the Indian Ocean, so I could get some work done. But the highlight for me was the soft pajamas they issue to their Qsuite passengers. Put them on, set your seat on "lie-flat," and you can actually sleep on the plane. I'd like to say that I arrived in Auckland refreshed and ready for work, but I was still tired and jet-lagged after lying in a pressurized aluminum tube all day. But it could have been so much worse. I remember stumbling off the plane after that cheap flight to Argentina when I felt like I'd participated in a sleep deprivation experiment. This time, I avoided getting sick, and it took only a few days to bounce back. If I have to fly 16 hours again, this is the best way to do it. Christopher Elliott is an author, consumer advocate, and journalist. He founded Elliott Advocacy, a nonprofit organization that helps solve consumer problems. He publishes Elliott Confidential, a travel newsletter, and the Elliott Report, a news site about customer service. If you need help with a consumer problem, you can reach him here or email him at chris@
Yahoo
23-03-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Florida Tech students piece together cyber sea cow 'spy' to gather intel on real manatees
Philip K. Dick's famous 1968 sci-fi novel, 'Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep,' explored blurred lines between what's real, what's fake, and dystopian cyberpunk notions about robot consciousness. Fast forward five decades to Florida Institute of Technology, and one might ask: 'Do android manatees dream of other cybernetic sea cows?' Deeper techno philosophizing aside, three Florida Tech students are developing a 'Mechanatee,' a robot sea cow they hope will one day allow scientists better study the gentle marine mammals. They hope in a few years to activate this sleeper sea cow agent under deep cover, on missions that thus far have been impossible. And the hope that when the cyber sea-cow spy "comes in from the cold," it will yield insights into how to better protect the species. "So basically, what we want our Mechanetee to do is look like a manatee, act like a manatee, but really it's a research database platform that's completely silent," said Haylie Garman, a graduate student in FIorida Tech's Department of Ocean Engineering and Marine Sciences. "It doesn't spook other animals. It doesn't have propellers." Call it ecological espionage. When complete in a few years, Mechanatee will propel through the water with its tail, just like a real sea cow, on covert missions of its handler's choosing. Led by Garman, the project also includes graduate student AJ Saad and undergrad Wyatt Amarosa, all supervised by Florida Tech ocean engineering professor Stephen Wood and in partnership with Delta Robotics, Inc. One of their main goals is to teach this 'spy' how to crack the code of mysterious sea cow ciphers: what their various chirps, clicks and clucks mean. Turns out, manatees can be quite the chatty Cathys. "They squeak," Garman said. "They're super chatty." The students will use machine learning to teach Mechanatee the basics of sea-cow lingo. Then one day, an AI-driven robo-manatee might just learn how to chat up real sea cows. What do they talk about: Where to find the best grass? All those boats buzzing over? What can and can't they hear? Nobody knows. Here's what they sound like: Researcher 'sees' how manatees react to approaching boats. The prospect of a mechanical manatee could bring unheard of new insights into manatee behavior, said Beth Brady, a senior science and conservation associate with Save the Manatee Club, who studies manatee communication. "All manatee species use vocalizations to communicate, but we know very little about how individual manatees vocally interact with each other and what call types they use," Brady said via email. "This can provide more insight into the function/use of vocalizations. Vocalizations are primarily used by cow/calves to stay in contact with each other, but are also used by adults when playing, resting, and feeding." Brady said scientists also could potentially add sensors to Mechanatee to measure any environmental stressors in real time. That could include testing water quality and assessing fish stocks and other wildlife populations. The first notion of designing Mechanatee was born from a chat over lunch between Wood and Austin Fox, an oceanographer at Florida Tech, who asked Wood: 'Can you build me a manatee?' Fox wanted a 'robo-tee' to measure things most modern Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs) can't in manatee herds, mostly because they're too loud. Wood told Fox, 'sure,' but that it would take 5-10 years. "We would like the robotic manatee to make intelligent decisions," Wood said. The tail is the biggest hurdle: it must have the same range of motion as a real manatee. "When we get this right, we'll extrapolate this out to other mammals such as a whale," Wood added. This sea cow 'spook' needs to learn how not to spook real sea cows. Artificial intelligence will teach Mechanatee the best-known tricks of sea-cow spy craft, by using "nature's blueprints." It's designed to be what's called biomimetic: In other words, to mimic natural biological processes. Similar concepts have been used at MIT to study tuna. They call theirs, "Robotuna." Others have made robotic sharks. Yale researchers are working on a sea turtle bot. But most current ROVs are way too noisy to study sea cows without scaring them. The Florida Tech students aim to minimize any stress on manatees during biological research. More: Vertex future of high-tech 'A buzzing hive': Florida Tech relaunching underused CAMID space as Vertex, a high-tech hub Early in the project, they got manatee bones from Brady They 3D scanned them at Florida Tech's Vertex, a new "applied innovation hub" to create plastic vertebrae. Now, it's just a matter of designing a spine that can move like a manatee's. Inside the Edwin A. Link Ocean Instrumentation Lab, they're in the process of doing that and also developing artificial muscles for the manatee, using memory shape metal alloys. Those and hydraulics will mimic natural manatee movements. Their spy's cover will be — cue the Mission Impossible intro — a type of rubber-like silicone skin. Among their other goals is for Mechanatee can top efficiency of prop-driven ROVs. "This could be a major stepping stone for long-range vehicles," Saad said. "It's going to learn from prior missions," Amarosa added. They're asking outside the box questions such as: If they add a camera to Mechanatee, could facial recognition software identify and track specific manatees? The tech already exists. They hope to score some grant money to keep their Mechanatee project afloat. Because permitting would be lengthy and difficult in the United States, they'd first aim to test Mechanatee in Belize. There are obvious implications for military use of such approaches, but these students say they're more interested in saving sea cows, so they took a different route. "We're environmentalists, first," Saad said. Contact Waymer at (321) 261-5903 or jwaymer@ Follow him on X at @JWayEnviro. This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Florida Tech students build robotic manatee to study sea cows in wild
