Carderock Blends Heritage and Innovation at University of Michigan Mixing of the Waters Ceremony

Carderock Blends Heritage and Innovation at University of Michigan Mixing of the Waters Ceremony

By Alisha Tyer, NSWC Carderock Division Public Affairs

BETHESDA, Md. - Naval Surface Warfare Center, Carderock Division is contributing history and innovation to the University of Michigan's upcoming Mixing of the Waters ceremony, an event marking the commissioning of the university's new Aaron Friedman Marine Hydrodynamics Laboratory.

As part of the ceremony, Carderock will collect water samples from two of its world-class facilities-the David Taylor Model Basin and the Harold E. Saunders Maneuvering and Seakeeping Basin-on Sept. 25, 2025. The samples will be transferred to Michigan and ceremonially poured into the new basin, joining contributions from other facilities to honor the continuation of hydrodynamics research across generations.

Carderock will also provide a custom-designed metallic sleeve to encase the water vessel. The piece was produced by Carderock's Additive Manufacturing Branch and designed by engineer Anindita Mukherjee, a University of Michigan alumna. Her design will be permanently displayed at the university after the event.

"I take a lot of pride in the things that I design," Mukherjee said. "To be able to actually create and share that work with others is really exciting."

Mukherjee incorporated a skyline view of Carderock's historic buildings into the sleeve design. The view of the David Taylor Model Basin is visible from Clara Barton Parkway and upon entering through the main gate.

"I knew I wanted some kind of wraparound feature," she said. "I was thinking about cityscape-style designs, and the view of Carderock's main buildings was the perfect inspiration."

Originally modeled after a champagne bottle, the design evolved through several iterations to meet technical requirements and highlight key visual elements. Mukherjee experimented with different vessel and sleeve concepts before settling on an approach that could be additively manufactured using selective laser melting. The result was a functional and symbolic additively manufactured sleeve (sometimes referred to as a "koozie") that reflects both engineering excellence and creative design.

"The metal sleeve Anindita designed was manufactured on our Laser Powder Bed Fusion (LPBF) metal 3D printer," explained Keegan Muller, a member of Carderock's additive manufacturing team who supported the production. "This method spreads a very thin layer of metal powder about 50 microns thick on a metal substrate, then uses a laser to melt the powder layer by layer to build the component. It allows for very precise features and unconventional geometries that traditional methods can't achieve."

Carderock's Additive Manufacturing Branch supports Navy readiness through the development of AM materials, processes, and design applications. By reducing production lead times and enabling rapid prototyping, additive manufacturing offers flexible solutions for platform sustainment and

warfighter support. According to Mukherjee, the broader impact of AM across naval operations is significant.

"It is the future," she said. "Instead of procuring a variety of different kinds of stock that are only able to be used in a very particular way, AM allows you to narrow that down and just have bulk material to create whatever you need. Not only does that revolutionize manufacturing, but the way we do warfare and support our Sailors."

The Mixing of the Waters ceremony has become a symbolic tradition in maritime engineering, often used to dedicate or commission new towing tanks. Water from legacy basins is poured into the new test facility as a representation of the transfer of knowledge, research and collaboration across institutions. The waters contributed by Carderock represent decades of experimentation, design validation and engineering innovation.

"Collaborating across different forums is extremely important for the development of technology," Mukherjee said. "This ceremony honors that collaboration. It's meaningful that Carderock is part of it."

The event also reflects the longstanding relationship between Carderock and the University of Michigan, where Mukherjee earned her degree in aerospace engineering and first learned of Carderock. She hopes the design inspires other engineers to take pride in their work and pursue meaningful impact.

"I didn't know about Carderock because I was from the aerospace side," she said. "Now, when people [at Michigan] see this, they'll see that an aerospace engineer is somehow working for the Navy with boats and that you can do anything with your degree."

Mukherjee's name is engraved on the vessel wrap, which will remain at the university's facility following the ceremony.

"This was one of those projects where the personal and professional came together," she said. "I'm proud to have played a role in connecting Carderock's legacy to the next generation of innovation."