363: Squishy Nature
Alana Sherman, an electrical engineer and project manager at the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI), discusses engineering instruments for deep-sea environments, including the DeepPIV system for studying larvaceans and the autonomous Benthic Rover. She details the challenges of designing electronics for high-pressure, cold-water conditions, such as pressure-tolerant vs. one-atmosphere housings and component failures like sticky motors. The conversation covers the Rover's long-term deployment, its use of acoustic ranging via Wave Gliders, and the specific mechanical and embedded system decisions required for reliable operation on the seafloor.