The team presents their progress at a senior design event.
A
senior design
team in Drexel University’s College of Engineering is taking on an
ecological crisis beneath the waves.
Working under the mentorship of
Juan De la Fuente, PhD
, assistant teaching professor of mechanical engineering and mechanics,
mechanical engineering majors Tommy Vo, Marissa Kealey, and Vince Cariello
have developed an innovative device to help control invasive lionfish
populations.
Their senior design project, the
Lionfish Interception and Ocean Navigation Submersible for Harvesting
and Aquatic Recovery Kit (LIONSHARK)
, is an underwater attachment designed to harpoon and capture up to 20
adult lionfish from a safe distance. Mounted on a remote operated vehicle,
the system is capable of diving deeper than traditional scuba divers and
eliminates the risk of contact with the venomous fish.
“We were inspired by the idea of underwater robotics combined with
mechanical devices,” said Vo, who is from Philadelphia. “We love building
and doing hands-on work that is application-specific and useful, rather
than researching new technology that may not be useful.”
The invasive lionfish.
Lionfish, originally native to the Indo-Pacific, have been wreaking havoc
on coral reef ecosystems in the Atlantic and Caribbean since the 1980s,
with no natural predators and an appetite that threatens native species.
The LIONSHARK’s design offers a practical approach to mitigation. It
features dual laser-aimed harpoon launchers, a live-feed camera, a
fiberglass capture shell, and waterproof electronics that function below
100 feet.
“Our solution is safer than conventional methods of spearfishing because it
avoids the inherent risks of SCUBA diving and reduces exposure to the
venomous barbs,” Kealey said.
The students, all majoring in mechanical engineering and mechanics, divided
responsibilities based on their strengths. Each brought experience in
computer-aided design, machining, electronics, and programming, much of it
gained through co-ops and Drexel coursework. They cited courses such as MEMT
380 (Manufacturing Engineering Principles) and ENGR 131 (Introductory
Programming for Engineers) as essential to building the robot’s mechanical
and software components.
The team prepares a mold for their robot casing.
“The most important thing I learned from senior design is to develop
prototypes early and design them to work with things that you know will
work,” Vo said.
Kealey, from Upper Darby, Pennsylvania, emphasized the importance of
teamwork and communication. “The most important thing I learned is the
importance of communication within the team as well as understanding and
incorporating the guidance from our advisors.”
Cariello, a native of Mount Laurel, New Jersey, added, “The most important
thing I learned is following through the overall engineering process—not
just specific steps.”
While senior design shares similarities with other project-based courses,
the students appreciated its extended timeline and freedom to explore more
ambitious ideas. “Because we have three terms to continuously develop our
project, we can find like-minded individuals with similar passions and bring
an idea to life,” the team shared.
Looking ahead, the group hopes to evolve the LIONSHARK into a fully
autonomous ROV with its own propulsion system, buoyancy control, and remote
navigation, ultimately enabling real-world deployment in reef environments.