Webster Pierce from Cutoff, LA has invented a device he calls the Wave Robber which collects sediment to replenish eroding coastlines. Webster got the idea for his invention by observing other communities that would place discarded Christmas trees along the shore to prevent erosion. When the trees eventually disintegrated, the erosion would resume.
A UL research team, led by Dr. Daniel Gang, is testing the Wave Robber in the laboratory and in the field. ul wants to refine the design for commercial viability. One of the researchers is Scott LeBlanc — the Wave Robber is the subject of his master's thesis in civil engineering.