Georgia Southern Team's Tidal Turbine Innovation: Bridging Engineering and Community

In a significant win for renewable energy innovation and interdisciplinary education, a team of students from Georgia Southern University's Allen E. Paulson College of Engineering and Computing (AEPCEC) has been awarded $20,000 and a national title at the 2026 U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Marine Energy Collegiate Competition. Their success, achieved by outperforming 25 other national teams, centered on a groundbreaking self-regulating seal for tidal turbines and a comprehensive community engagement strategy.

This recognition, announced on October 16, 2026, underscores the growing importance of marine energy in the global pursuit of sustainable power. It also showcases how academic institutions like Georgia Southern University are fostering the next generation of problem-solvers who can not only develop advanced technologies but also effectively communicate their value to the wider community.

Addressing a Critical Challenge in Ocean Energy

The core of Team Marine Seals' technical innovation addresses a persistent challenge in tidal energy: the durability of underwater components. Tidal turbines, positioned on the ocean floor, convert the kinetic energy of ocean currents into electricity. However, these systems operate in an extremely harsh environment, facing high pressure, corrosion, and dynamic currents that can cause significant wear and tear, particularly on mechanical seals.

According to Mohammad "Fuad" Hassan, a mechanical engineering doctoral student whose research forms the basis of the team's design, the longevity of offshore systems is paramount. "If something fails offshore, you can't just go fix it right away," Hassan explained, as reported by Georgia Southern University. "Systems need to last for years." Traditional rigid seals often succumb to shaft deflections and misalignment caused by powerful currents, leading to system failure and costly, frequent maintenance.

Team Marine Seals tackled this vulnerability by re-engineering the geometry of the mechanical seal. Their design allows the seal to actively respond to constant pressure shifts, significantly reducing contact friction, wear, and structural leakage. This innovation promises to extend the operational lifespan of underwater turbines, thereby reducing maintenance interventions and the associated costs, making tidal energy a more viable and sustainable option.

The Power of Multidisciplinary Collaboration and Communication

While the team's technical components received nearly perfect scores during the competition's mid-year evaluation, Georgia Southern University notes that community outreach was identified as an area for growth. Rather than seeing this as a setback, the students embraced the feedback. They collaborated with Georgia Southern University Communications and Marketing, learning to translate complex engineering concepts into accessible public messaging.

This multidisciplinary approach proved to be their winning edge in the Community Connections Challenge. Sevki Cesmeci, Ph.D., the faculty advisor for Team Marine Seals and an associate professor of mechanical engineering at Georgia Southern, highlighted the significance of this adaptability. "By bridging the gap between advanced marine engineering and public accessibility, the team demonstrated exactly what the Community Connections Challenge aims to foster: clean energy solutions that are understood, embraced and driven by the communities they serve," Cesmeci stated, according to the university.

The team itself was a testament to interdisciplinary strength, comprising students from diverse fields: mechanical engineering, information technology, mathematics, and even athletics. This blend of expertise, from advanced sealing technologies and machine learning (Mohammad "Fuad" Hassan) to predictive analytics and cybersecurity (Cemil Emre Yavas), experimental testing (Madison Procyk), manufacturing precision (Simay Gunek), computational mathematics (Noushin Gauhar), and community engagement (Nevaeh Brown), provided a unique cross-functional advantage. Carrie Skelly, another mechanical engineering student, brought practical diagnostic problem-solving skills from her background.

Implications for Students, Educators, and the Community

This achievement by the Georgia Southern team offers several valuable takeaways for students, parents, and educators. For students, it illustrates the tangible benefits of pursuing STEM fields and the critical importance of developing strong communication skills alongside technical prowess. It shows that real-world problems often require solutions that cross traditional academic boundaries. Aspiring engineers and scientists can see how their work can directly contribute to addressing global challenges like climate change and energy independence.

For educators, the success of Team Marine Seals reinforces the value of experiential learning and interdisciplinary programs. Abhijit Bhattacharyya, Ph.D., dean of the Allen E. Paulson College of Engineering and Computing, affirmed this perspective: "Team Marine Seals demonstrates the kind of experiential learning that prepares students to lead beyond the classroom. Their success reflects a commitment to excellence not only in academics, but also in translating knowledge into action." This approach equips students with the skills needed to innovate and adapt in an ever-evolving world.

Parents can see how university programs are preparing students for impactful careers and encouraging them to engage with complex societal issues. The emphasis on community outreach also highlights the importance of civic responsibility and the ability to advocate for scientific solutions.

For those interested in exploring STEM subjects or needing support with complex topics, platforms like COSMIQ offer free voice-driven AI tutoring for K-12 students, helping to build foundational knowledge and confidence. Students can also find free practice resources by grade and subject to reinforce their learning in areas like mathematics and science, which are crucial for engineering success.

Looking Ahead: The Future of Marine Energy

The innovation from Georgia Southern University's Team Marine Seals represents a meaningful step forward for marine energy. By improving the reliability and reducing the maintenance costs of tidal turbines, their work contributes to making ocean energy a more competitive and scalable source of clean power. As the world continues to seek sustainable alternatives to fossil fuels, advancements in marine energy technology will play an increasingly vital role.

The success of this Georgia Southern team serves as an inspiring example of how dedicated students, supported by their university and faculty, can contribute significantly to cutting-edge research and address pressing global challenges. Their journey from technical design to effective community engagement provides a blueprint for future innovators aiming to make a real difference.