NOAA pinniped tags accelerated aging system
Abstract
This project presents an accelerated aging system designed and built in 2025 to evaluate the durability of pinniped identification tags used by NOAA researchers. The system simulates environmental stressors such as UV sunlight, mechanical abrasion, biofouling, and extreme temperature cycles to predict prolonged performance before deployment. Our motivation is to help wildlife scientists reduce tag failure, improve material selection, and increase reliability in harsh field conditions. The intended users are marine biologists, conservation researchers, tagging teams, and engineering students developing future iterations of durable tag materials.
Date
Fall 2025
Department
School of Engineering
Concentration/Emphasis
ENGR 205 — Introduction to Design
Advisor/Professor
Lonny Grafman
https://www.appropedia.org/NOAA_pinniped_tags_accelerated_aging_system