The National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT), a Registered Society, at Madras, functions as a technical arm of Department in speeding up development of indigenous know-how and capabilities in ocean related technology. NIOT interacts with various departments of IIT Madras and other R&D institutions in the country by sponsoring specific technology oriented projects. NIOT is also a technology promoting agency. The following objectives for the four mission oriented projects have been identified.

(i) development of technology for breakwater integrated wave energy systems for harbours, ports in the mainland and islands;

(ii) development of technology for seabed survey, exploration and mining up to a water depth of 200m of various non-living resources;

(iii) development of marine instruments and systems like moored and drifting data buoys, unmanned submersibles, two-way communication system between vessel and shore; and

(iv) development of mathematical models to solve user-oriented coastal engineering problems like coastal erosion, accretion, dredging in harbours, etc.

The progress under these mission oriented projects is summarised below :

Commercialisation of Wave Energy :

The Wave Energy Group at IIT Madras at present, is engaged in the design, fabrication, testing of an improved power module for installation on the present caisson at Vizhinjam, Kerala. Based on the performance monitoring of the existing experimental power module, the design of the turbine generator and the control system have been modified to meet the requirements for Thangassery. The fabrication of various sub-assemblies have been completed. Work on assembling has been initiated. The performance monitoring will commence immediately after the new module has been installed at the site.

Deep Sea Technology and Ocean Mining :

The long term goal under this mission is to develop the technology for exploration and exploitation of the deep sea resources such as polymetallic nodules. This would include development of techniques for sea-bed mapping and resource estimation, dynamic positioning systems, risers to carry the resources to the surface ship, remotely operated vehicle (ROVs) and underwater communication systems, etc. Since most of the sub- systems of a deep sea mining system are required to operate at very high pressures, it is necessary to develop the facilities to test the components and sub-assemblies at very high pressures of the order of 600 bar.

Since the possible commercial exploitation of deep sea resources such as polymetallic nodules is not envisaged in the immediate future, it is considered necessary in the first stage to develop those sub-systems and technologies, which can be applied immediately for exploitation of resources in the shallow waters in EEZ. It is proposed to concentrate on development of equipment for a sand mining system such as jet pumps, crawlers moving on sea bed and underwater manipulators and ROVs. Design studies on hyperbaric chamber for testing of various material components up to 600 bar pressure are being taken up.

Marine Instrumentation :

The main goal of NIOT under this mission is to develop marine instrumentation which will contribute to the efficient exploitation of living and non-living resources from the sea. This mission involves indigenous production of some of the equipments which are currently being imported at very high costs. As an immediate activity, NIOT has taken up the development of acoustic transducers, especially low frequency transducers, for deep sea application and an acoustic tide gauge.

Coastal Zone development:

The principle aim under this mission is to develop and validate a comprehensive site specific models for prediction of a wide variety of nearshore phenomenon, including wave refraction, reflection, storm surge simulation, sediment transport and long time shore line changes. Such a model will help in design of harbours and other structures and help plan the coastal protection works.

The projects under Coastal Ocean Design and Predictive Systems (CODAPS) Cell at IIT being funded by DOD have been transferred to NIOT. User-friendly computer models are being developed which deal with nearshore wave transformations, effects of breakwaters and storm surge simulation.