Dye marker buoy to use with drones for water rescue

Shapeways and DJI had a contest for 3d printable drone accessories to be used in water search and rescue operations. I had a lot of fun with fluorescein dye, PLA, and 3d printers, and Rhino5.  I was a runner-up with a prize of $500 credit at Shapeways.

Here’s my entry: a fluorescein dye buoy that can be dropped from a drone to mark a target. It can be printed in fluorescein PLA which also reacts nicely to UV light.  Search and rescue vehicles working over water use UV spotlights to search for fluorescein dye released from life jackets and water safety gear.  Fluorescein dye was introduced in WWII by the German air force for finding air crews after a plane ditched in water, the use of this dye was quickly picked up by rescue crews.   There's more detail in my portfolio.

Important:  you'll have to make your own attachment device for your drone and attach it to the model.  I've had plenty of luck doing this with a simple toroid and CA glue.  If you have a request for something that will fit your drone, please message/email me with dimensions and I'll see if I can update this model.