Progress 09/01/23 to 08/31/24
Outputs
Target Audience:Hawaii Fish Company (HFC)'s research and planned commercial product is designed specifically for domestic aquaponic growers, with potential crossover to hydroponic growers. These technologies use a small fraction of the land and water resources required by traditional farming practices, require no soil, use little or no petroleum-based synthetic fertilizers, and can be built in rural and urban environments, close to local markets. As a result, HFC's work will also impact rural and urban communities by improving their access to local, year-round production of nutritious vegetables, fruits, and fish in a sustainable, cost-effective manner. Changes/Problems:HFC has faced unexpected obstacles and delays during its first year that impeded the company from progressing on schedule. The first set of delays came from working with HFC's original manufacturer. The first batch of CNC-routed rafts HFC received were of poor quality. HFC worked with the manufacturer to improve their process and did receive a second batch of CNC-routed rafts that were improved, but this delayed HFC's initial testing by two months.Based on these experiences, HFC took the time to identify a new manufacturer and negotiate new NDA agreements, which took several months. The manufacturer also happened to be moving and expanding its facilities, which slowed down their response time and actions, further delaying the process. In general, the rounds of CNC-routed prototype testing have taken longer than expected. HFC has tried to bypass some of these lengthy processes by 3D printing particular features to test in-house rather than waiting for the features to be done on CNC-routed prototypes, as well as switching manufacturers. Based on these delays and future manufacturing and shipping delays that may occur, HFC will be requesting a 12-month no-cost extension of time to enable HFC to complete its Work Plan. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?
Nothing Reported
How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?
Nothing Reported
What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?In the next reporting period, HFC will begin field testing its first molded prototype raft. This will involve coordinating research trials, analyzing data, and gathering feedback from HFC's seven field testing sites. The results from HFC's field testing will inform the next iteration of HFC's prototype raft, which will then be field tested. HFC will also be following up witha non-provisional patent on its invention.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Work accomplished during the first year of Phase II has included two iterations of internal field testing of HFC's design on computer numerical control (CNC)-routed foam rafts. HFC conducted growth trials and other experiments on each iteration of the rafts and several raft materials, as well as 3D printed and tested other individual raft features, in order to finalize the design of its prototype raft for external field testing. HFC is currently working with its design engineer and raft manufacturer to create the mold and fabricate the first batch of molded prototype rafts. HFC is also currently working with its field-testing sites to finalize contracts and agreements for field testing. HFC has elected to retain the title for this invention, and has therefore filed a provisional patent within this reporting period.
Publications
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