A new way to gather energy from the ocean is in development, as engineers continue trying to harness the incredible power crashing against coastlines every day.

Researchers are working on a large rubber carpet covering a system of hydraulic actuators, cylinders and pumps.

Placed on the seafloor, the carpet is designed to absorb the oscillation of waves overhead, driving the actuators to build hydraulic pressure. The pressure can then be conveyed back to shore to be converted into electricity.

The design was inspired by the habits of fishermen in the Gulf of Mexico, who traditionally make sail for areas of the ocean with a muddy floor during storms. This is because the mud is known to better absorb the impact of large waves.

The team from the University of California has taken a safety measure and turned it into a power source.

Tests so far have been encouraging too, with the latest demonstration showing the giant rubbery power carpet can absorb about 90 per cent of the energy of a wave.

Researchers estimate one square metre of the power carpet could generate enough energy for two households in the US.

They say 100 square metres of carpet would have the equivalent output of 6,400 square metres of traditional solar panels.

The design has been praised for its use of strong, simple materials, meaning it could be in production sooner. The power carpet is also well scalable, and so could be adapted for use in a significant amount of the world’s coastline.

The next phase of the project is being funded by donation at the scientific research crowdfunding site Experiment.com

It has just a week to reach its goal for a larger-scale test, with researchers hoping to complete a full-sized version within two years.

More details are available in the following video;