PROJECT 50 (Sikorsky Challenge Junior)


City: Kyiv

Project manager: Tetiana Zhuravel

Technology readiness level: 4


The idea of my project is a new design for generating electricity from wave energy. The innovation is that the technological part of the device is located above the water, which prevents premature corrosion of the equipment. Only the lever and paddle of the device contact with water, swinging with the waves and conveying the movement to the generator.

The product of the project is a generator design that produces electricity from wave energy.
The consumers of the project are energy companies in Ukraine and abroad. For example, Ocean Power Technologies, Mocean Energy, CorPower Ocean, Eco Wave Power, Ukrhydroenergo, and others. Consumers also include people who use electricity.

This is especially relevant for places where it is not beneficial to build power lines. My device solves the problem of power supply in such places and also promotes the use of “green energy.”
My team plans to monetize the technology by selling equipment.

Video presentation of the project




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Comments

  1. Dr. Les Kramer, PEOctober 24, 2025 at 8:04 AM

    Consider engineered plastics for corrosion prone parts.

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  2. Tetiana ZhuravelOctober 25, 2025 at 1:41 PM

    Good advice! Engineered plastics are currently used to protect certain important components in wave constructions. However, depending on the material, they also have their drawbacks. For example, fluoroplastic (PTFE) is less durable than other plastics, which limits its use in high-exposure structures. Polyaryletherketone (PEEK) needs specialized equipment and technology because of its high melting point. Polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) is quite hard, which can make it brittle under certain conditions, especially at low temperatures. Polypropylene (PP) is susceptible to UV degradation. Sunlight can cause it to degrade, reducing its mechanical strength and leading to part failure over time. ABS plastic exposed to salt water may have accelerated hydrolysis (breakdown by water) of the polymer base, resulting in a reduction in material strength.

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    Replies
    1. LesOctober 29, 2025 at 10:01 AM

      You have great knowledge of plastic materials. PTFE is not a structural plastic - it is best used in corrosion or bearing applications or temperatures to 260 degree C Max use temperature. PEEK is a great polymer for chemical resistance and high stremgth, but it is really high cost and has a high molding temperature. Check the brittleness of these polymers by the finding the glass transition temperature of each polymer. High molecular weight polyethylene HMPE in black is highly UV resistant. I once made a floating island to attract birds and turtles using HMPE. PP and ABS are not good engineering polymers for your device.

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