Africa Surveyors January-February issue 2023 digital

COVER STORY
The Challenges
of Underwater
Electronics
Water or corrosion-resistance is a
necessary application feature for an
underwater electronic device. These
include marine sensors and acoustic
devices that can be used in deep sea
environments or to monitor structures
or other underwater elements.
By Dorcas Kang'ereha
Underwater electronics are
electronic devices that can operate
in the ocean and resist water
penetration or tampering. These devices
are often used in underwater navigation,
positioning and communication systems
for recreational or professional use.
Despite the obvious advantages of this
technology, there are many challenges
to overcome before it is practical to
commercialize such devices. Among
these, a major concern is the resistance
to saltwater and other environmental
conditions.
A common method of achieving waterresistance
is by sealing the device or
circuitry within an outer protective
layer. However, this is not always the
best option since it cannot guarantee
protection from all external forces.
In fact, in order to make a product
completely waterproof it is often
necessary to use a complex sealing
technology involving multiple layers and
various types of sealants.
Another approach to ensuring waterresistance
is by making the device
waterproof in the sense of allowing it to be
immersed in water without damaging the
electronics inside. This is a more advanced
approach and requires specific sealing
techniques to prevent the device from
being penetrated by water.
An example of this is the new generation
of water meters for residential and
commercial usage which have a waterproof
housing which is sealed to ensure that
water can't get in. The system also has a
sensor that monitors the level of water in
the house or commercial building.
There are also many other applications
where water-resistance is a necessary
feature of an electronic device. These
include marine sensors and acoustic
devices that can be used in deep sea
environments or to monitor structures or
other underwater elements.
The development of a waterproof
packaging system is required in these types
of applications because the environment
18 January-February issue l 2023 www.africasurveyorsonline.com