 BIOLOGY
BIOTECHNOLOGY
ENGINEERING
OCEAN ENERGY
RELATED SERVICES
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 Welcome To Our Services
OTEC offers unlimited consulting and other services for everything relating to the marine environment. At left are selected examples of the kinds of services OTEC offers. For details, please click on an item of interest.
 
 
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ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENTS
OTEC does ocean-based Environmental Impact Statements (EIS) in
compliance with sections 1502 and 1506 of the EPA (CEQ) Regulations. Our
certified environmental scientists can do all phases of your EIS, from initial
assessment and cost estimate to research, data collection, analysis, writing,
and submission to EPA and other interested parties. Contact OTEC for further
information or to make a request for an EIS assessment and estimate.
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GRANT PROPOSALS
OTEC scientists and writing staff can assist with or direct writing your ocean-based
grant proposals for projects OTEC is involved with. Contact us for
more information.
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REPORTS
OTEC scientists and writing staff can assist with or direct writing your ocean-based
research, cruise, and other reports for projects OTEC is involved with. Contact OTEC for more information. |
PUBLIC & PRIVATE SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS
OTEC is involved in education and public outreach (EPO) projects regarding all matters scientific and environmental, especially with regard to the world's oceans. Our consultants have EPO experience using a variety of media, from television and film to lectures and seminars in multiple venues. OTEC experts are able to speak on a wide diversity of marine related issues ranging from the latest research to the latest theories and from ocean usage to policy. Contact OTEC to discuss an EPO project for your venue.
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OTEC consultants are available on a fee basis for public and private lecturing
and speaking engagements. Our experts have experience working with the
documentary and feature film industries, various government agencies
involved in policy and decision-making, as well as many other venues in
which our services may be essential. Contact OTEC to find out more.
OTEC consultants also have worked with private groups on ocean-based expeditions to the far reaches of the globe. Contact OTEC to find out how one of our experts can make your ocean expedition or private charter even better.
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PRO BONO & COMMUNITY SERVICES
OTEC is involved in education and public outreach (EPO) projects regarding all matters scientific and environmental, especially with regard to the world's oceans. Our consultants have EPO experience using a variety of media, from television and film to lectures and seminars in multiple venues. OTEC experts are able to speak on a wide diversity of marine related issues ranging from the latest research to the latest theories and from ocean usage to policy. Contact OTEC to discuss an EPO project for your venue.
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OTEC founder, Michael Atkins, and other OTEC consultants have provided
pro bono Education and Public Outreach programs for K-12 and secondary
schools as well as coastal and other communities throughout the world. Contact OTEC to discuss the opportunity for us to visit your school or
community to teach students and citizens about the world's oceans.
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VENTURE CAPITAL
OTEC collaborates with venture capital firms specifically to find funding for
our clients' marine-related concepts and ideas. OTEC provides the ocean
science or engineering expertise needed to evaluate, design, and even present
your idea for potential funding. If you have a marine-related concept or idea
that you would like to develop, Contact OTEC to set up a joint consultation with
one of our partner venture capital firms.
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PATENTING
OTEC collaborates with patent law firms that have experience in protecting
marine-related intellectual property. The benefit to our clients is the
combination of high quality consulting and legal advice geared toward the
specifics of your idea. If you have a marine-related concept or idea that you
would like to patent, Contact OTEC to set up a joint consultation with one of our
partner law firms.
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SPECIAL EPO PROJECTS
OTEC has been involved in a very special multi-media EPO project called The Challenger Expedition. OTEC is looking for investors and interested parties to help make this timely and important mission a reality. If you are interested in becoming a part of The Challenger Expedition, please contact OTEC to find out how you can help.
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THE CHALLENGER EXPEDITION IN SEARCH OF OUR FUTURE
Our mission is to undertake a comprehensive survey of the worlds oceans to determine the impact of the modern world on its species and habitat. The Oceans clean our air, regulate our climate, cure our diseases and feed our families. But for how long?
To know the answer we must first understand the problem. In 1872, HMS Challenger carried out the worlds first global survey of the oceans and its coastal environments. What little we know of our Oceans started with this pioneering expedition. By retracing the voyages of our forbears we aim to revisit their findings to gauge the impact to the oceans since the original expedition.
But too much remains unknown about the Oceans and THE CHALLENGER EXPEDITION will go beyond the scope of the early studies and explore contemporary scientific horizons in a quest to establish the full potential and ultimate fate of the seas that surround us. Changes and threats to Ocean Biodiversity, the impact of human use and misuse, and the consequences of climate change will be the focal points of our global mission.
The CHALLENGER EXPEDITION will start, as its predecessor did in 1872, from Portsmouth, England and last five years. This expedition will be a global oceanographic voyage that will draw on the support of – and connect to - men, women, and children around the world. A new ship will be commissioned and carry with it the latest scientific and exploration equipment. Scientists will be invited from many countries to participate as a strong international team, united by their fascination with and commitment to the threatened ocean environment. Like the artists on board the original HMS Challenger, photographers and filmmakers will record this historical mission. Television and the Web will share the real-time experience with a global community of schools, colleges and scientists. In this way, we hope to encourage interactive participation by the public in ports of call and in every community with a concern for the ocean. A full range of learning materials will be produced, and the research data captured for ongoing, in-depth academic studies that accompany the voyage.
The conclusions and recommendations of the mission will be published and made available to all Governments and interested environmental groups.
THE CHALLENGER EXPEDITION is an independent non-profit organization funded by private and corporate support.
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WAVE ENERGY
OTEC has a strong commitment to exploring ocean sources of renewable energy.
Ocean wave energy has been considered for several decades, but has never been
considered seriously until the recent shift in the world-view toward renewables. This
shift has resulted in increased funding opportunities for this technology. OTEC will
continue to stay updated on developing wave energy technologies so we can offer our
clients the most reliable advice based on the most recent information.
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GAS HYDRATES
One of the largest remaining reservoirs of natural gas - in the form of methane gas
frozen in ice - occurs on the continental margins around the globe under 500-1500
meters of seawater. These methane gas hydrates (MH) are an immense source of
energy that to date has remained untapped. This is due to the tremendous technical
challenges involved in safely retrieving and converting MH into a viable resource.
OTEC is actively involved in exploring and developing technologies aimed at
utilizing this resource.
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CO2 SEQUESTRATION
Interest in converting power plant emissions into biofuels for the energy and
transportation sectors has accelerated dramatically in the last half decade as
awareness of key intersecting factors has increased. These factors include
anthropogenic greenhouse gas (GHG) inputs to the atmosphere and global warming,
dependence on foreign sources of oil and national security concerns, and proximity to
peak oil and concomitant price-of-oil increases. The recognition and growing
acceptance of these convergent factors has reinvigorated interest in CO2 sequestration
for use in algal biofuel technologies to help mitigate some of these pressing
problems.
OTEC biologists and engineers have designed modular, self-contained algal
bioreactors to sequester CO2 emissions from coal-burning power plants. Our design
is scalable to any size plant at any location (our original design aimed to capture 92%
of carbon emissions at the 1.5 GW Mohave Generating Station in Laughlin, NV).
Sequestered carbon can be converted to cleaner burning biofuels (diesel, ethanol,
hydrogen, and methane) for use with the existing infrastructure or in cogeneration
plants for increased and cleaner electricity production. Our consultants can work with
your team to design a bioreactor system to fit your plants needs and to meet or exceed
existing clean air standards.
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BIOFUELS
Biofuels (fuels derived from living organisms) are fast becoming the buzzword as an
important solution to the current energy and global warming crises facing the United
States and other energy-dependent nations. One reason for this rapidly growing
interest in biofuels is the ability of the organisms to convert waste materials -
including those involved in global warming - into desperately needed fuels while
reducing dependence on foreign sources of fuels. Unlike fossil fuels, which have
returned millions of years of concentrated organic carbon back into the atmosphere in
about a century and a half, fuels made from living organisms add little carbon back
into the atmosphere since the carbon given off is roughly equal to the amount
absorbed.
Large-scale production of biofuels has focused on land-based as well as aquatic
organisms. Aquatic species are well suited for this technology because they require
far less space and can generate biomass much more quickly than land-based plants
per unit of energy produced. OTEC currently is developing novel algal biofuel and
bioreactor technologies for use in multiple industries. Contact OTEC to develop a
"Clean Tech" algal system for use with your industry.
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SPECIAL ENGINEERING PROJECTS
Algal Bioreactors
OTEC biologists and engineers have designed modular, self-contained algal
bioreactors to sequester CO2 emissions from coal-burning power plants. Our
design is scalable to any size plant at any location (our original design aimed to
capture 92% of carbon emissions at the 1.5 GW Mohave Generating Station in
Laughlin, NV). Sequestered carbon can be converted to cleaner burning biofuels
(diesel, ethanol, hydrogen, and methane) for use with the existing infrastructure or
in cogeneration plants for increased and cleaner electricity production. Our
consultants can work with your team to design a bioreactor system to fit your
plants needs and to meet or exceed existing clean air standards.
OCEANS TO DESERTS
Decade long demographic trends show a continuous increase in population
growth in the U.S. Desert Southwest. Cities such as Las Vegas and Phoenix have
seen unprecedented and increasing growth rates for well over 10 years. Yet, the
water supplies to these locales are severely limited. OTEC is developing and
patenting key technologies to desalinate ocean water off the coast of California,
the Gulf of California, and/or the Gulf of Mexico and to deliver large quantities of
desalinated fresh water to these areas of the Desert Southwest.
OTEC is looking for both investment and manufacturing partners to develop this
very large-scale engineering project. If interested, please Contact OTEC to discuss a
potential partnership..
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DEEP-SEA ENGINEERING
OTEC deep-sea engineers have specialized experience to deal with the technical
challenges of designing and building equipment to work under high pressure. Contact OTEC to set up a consultation.
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GENERAL OCEAN ENGINEERING
OTEC engineering consultants are available to assist with or to direct your ocean
engineering project or venture. Contact OTEC to set up a consultation.
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PHARMACEUTICALS
OTEC consultants have expertise in numerous ocean environments and with a large
diversity of marine organisms. Our experts can help in the search for organisms that
might contain novel enzymes or compounds of interest to biotech and/or
pharmaceutical companies. Contact OTEC to learn more.
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GENOMICS AND BIOINFORMATICS
OTEC genomics and bioinformatics experts work at the cutting edge of these
technologies and are available to consult with OTEC clients to help develop,
understand, and even implement multi-purpose genomics projects.
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HARMFUL ALGAL BLOOMS (HAB'S)
OTEC has several experts currently working at the forefront of state-of-the-art
technologies in harmful algal bloom management. Our consultants work with federal
and state agencies as well as commercial industries to continuously monitor, rapidly
detect, and quickly remediate HAB's at locations around the globe. Contact OTEC to assess and improve your existing HAB management program or to initiate a new
plan based on your current or projected needs.
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DEEP SEA & VENT BIOLOGY
OTEC CEO, Michael S. Atkins, is an expert on deep-sea hydrothermal vent biology.
Deep-Sea hydrothermal vents are intriguing areas where thriving ecosystems exist at
high temperatures and with no sunlight. Many scientists think life on Earth may even
have originated at ancient vents. NASA developed an entire field - called
Astrobiology - based on vents to help understand and possibly search for life on other
planets. Biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies are interested in vents to look
for novel enzymes and drugs. If your project or venture has interest in deep-sea
hydrothermal vents and you would like to learn more, please contact OTEC to
arrange a consultation.
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BENTHIC BIOLOGY
Oil and gas exploration, bottom fishing, and any other work that comes in contact
with the ocean bottom has an impact on benthic marine organisms and their habitat.
OTEC can perform all phases of an Environmental Impact Statement for these and
other projects involving the marine benthos. Contact OTEC to find out more.
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BIOREMEDIATION
Bioremediation is the process of using indigenous, exogenous, or genetically
engineered organisms to remove other organisms or contaminants from the
environment. Examples include the use of microorganisms to clean up toxic
hydrocarbons following an oil spill or to remove harmful organisms from fisheries or
other economically important mariculture. Any introduction of organisms to an
environment must be done using sound ecological and environmental principles.
OTEC experts can help assess, develop, and implement a safe, effective, and cost efficient
bioremediation plan for your marine-related industry.
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ALGAL BIOREACTORS
OTEC biologists and engineers have designed modular, self-contained algal
bioreactors to sequester CO2 emissions from coal-burning power plants. Our design
is scalable to any size plant at any location (our original design aimed to capture 92%
of carbon emissions at the 1.5 GW Mohave Generating Station in Laughlin, NV).
Sequestered carbon can be converted to cleaner burning biofuels (diesel, ethanol,
hydrogen, and methane) for use with the existing infrastructure or in cogeneration
plants for increased and cleaner electricity production. Our consultants can work with
your team to design a bioreactor system to fit your plants needs and to meet or exceed
existing clean air standards.
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