The Smartfin project, sponsored by Nathan T. Hui from Engineers for Exploration at UC San Diego, aims to collect data on oceanographic conditions such as temperature, pH levels, salinity, current properties, and wave characteristics to better understand climate change and monitor ocean health. The project seeks to create a custom surfboard fin that enables surfers to collect data from hard-to-reach shorelines as they surf. The major requirements for the Smartfin include developing a well-documented process for consistent fin construction and strengthening the fin to prevent breakage. Through innovative design and construction techniques, the Smartfin offers a unique solution for collecting critical oceanographic data, helping researchers and coastal communities to make informed decisions about the health of our oceans.

This project was to create and document a process for the production of the Smartfin that was simple and repeatable. The metrics for this process were determined by the consistency of each fin being produced, and the consistency of the process itself. Steps that needed specialized skills or experience to recreate were avoided so that the process could be learned and performed by an untrained person or someone new to the project. The chosen method for this was an adaptation of Resin Transfer Molding, also called RTM. This process involves taking a mold and injecting under pressure resin and then pulling a vacuum on the mold to remove air bubbles and gaps between the fiberglass.

The adaptation method did not make use of a vacuum or pressurized injection. This removed the need for expensive equipment and large devices. The overall result was a pourable mold which could be taken apart to release a ready made fin. To produce this, an aluminum mold was made first as a prototype which would allow for cheaper and easier testing. This mold was designed to mimic the complex shape of the fin and allow for several types of tests to be done.