Who We Are

Dr. Ian Enochs is the Principal investigator for the Advanced Manufacturing and Design Lab with Nathan Formel as Project Manager. This lab was created to be a resource for scientists and collaborators to build and explore new technologies for enhancing research and data collection.

Headshot of Ian Enochs of AOML

Ian Enochs
305.361.4399

| Ian Enochs

Principal Investigator
Headshot of Nathan Formel of AOML

Nathan Formel
305.361.4515

| Nate Formel

Project Manager

What We Do

AOML’s advanced manufacturing and design lab uses state-of-the-art equipment to create novel scientific tools, controlling the process all the way from idea to prototype to proof of concept. Some examples of the technology that the lab has embraced are cloud-based CAD software, fused deposition modeling and stereolithography 3D printers, a 150W automated laser cutter, and a automated PCB milling machine. All of these tools are available for home or commercial use, but bringing them together in AMDL has given researchers at AOML the ability to quickly prototype and test new tools to assist in accomplishing our research goals and shorten the timeline for developing these tools significantly. The technology in the lab and the tools created from it have also been used to collaborate with other institutions who are committed to engineering innovation in science and open-source technology.
From Dream to Digital
Advanced 3D Printing
Working Prototypes
Intelligent Data Collection
Refine & Retool
Once a research need and a potential solution is identified, the part or tool is created digitally on the CAD software. Part compatibility, size, appearance, and even freedom of movement, can be tested virtually before anything is physically are made.
Then a file will be created by the CAD software to be sent to the 3D printers, milling machines, or our laser cutter. The part is physically cut or 3D printed in the lab to test it’s fit and function. If the part needs adjustment we revisit Step 1 to edit the component as needed, and then produce the new version. This quick turnaround time makes the prototyping stage incredibly fast!
The PCB milling machine is used to create custom circuit boards for sensors and remote samplers. The circuit board is designed on PCB design software and then can be milled in minutes in the lab. For the same reason, prototyping of our circuit boards is very fast.
Once all components are finalized and fit together, the tool can be tested. A pressure chamber in the lab allows us to check for leaks since most of our equipment needs to be waterproof. Rigorous testing of the tool’s function in the lab helps us cleanup the design and troubleshoot any issues with circuitry or coding, making sure the final product will do what it was intended to.
Lastly, we demonstrate proof of concept in the field by testing the device repeatedly to ensure an effective and consistent tool was made. After that it’s ready for field use and data gathering to help meet our research goals.

Photo Credit: NOAA
Step 1
Photo Credit: NOAA
Step 2
Photo Credit: NOAA
Step 3
Photo Credit: NOAA
Step 4
Step 5

Research Projects

Fluid Transfer and Filtration For Carbonate Chemistry Analysis

The Advanced Manufacturing and Design Lab at AOML has created a fluid transfer pump for low gas exchange transfer and filtration of precise and consistent volumes of seawater samples from sampling containers for carbonate chemistry analysis.

Submersible Incubation Chamber For Respiration & Calcification Analysis

AOML scientists used the Advanced Manufacturing Lab to create a submersible incubation chamber for analyzing coral and sponge respiration and coral calcification in the lab.

Sub-surface Automated Water Samplers To Measure Spatio-Temporal Flux on the Reef

A sub-surface automated dual water sampler (SAS) for sampling water and analyzing the changes in carbonate chemistry on coral reefs at finer temporal and spatial scales. To lean more about this project, visit its page here.

Sub-surface Automated Water Samplers allow scientists to detect nuanced variations on the reef at certain times to better understand the ecosystem. Keep reading to visit the blog post or build your own with instructions below.

Environmental DNA Sampler For DNA Sampling in the Water Column

AOML scientists also created a sub-surface automated environmental DNA (eDNA) sampler for sampling eDNA in the water column. The low-cost open-source design will, similar to the SAS, help researchers sample eDNA at finer temporal and spatial scales for research and monitoring purposes.

Subsurface Automated Sampler

The sub-surface automated dual water sampler was designed by researchers at NOAA’s Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory and the University of Miami to help scientists study water chemistry on shallow reef habitats. It was also created to minimize some of the financial hurdles in marine research by serving as a low-cost open-source alternative to existing water samplers. Explore the sampler’s website, use it to guide you in building and using your own water samplers, embrace the maker movement and improve on our design. If you are a teacher, there are free lesson plans to download that include labs and activities related to science, technology, and engineering. Click the image to the below to visit the site and learn how to build yours.

Subsurface Automated Samplers

Visit Site

Our Stories

Subsurface Automated Samplers on the reef. Photo Credit, NOAA.
May 17, 2019
Scientists Use 3D Printing Technology to Study Water Chemistry at Coral Reefs
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