Engineers design new autonomous systems for monitoring melted ice in the Arctic

The rapid melting and thinning of Arctic ice has sparked serious concerns in the scientific community. Furthermore, sea ice thickness is also reduced, making ice covers more vulnerable to warming air and ocean temperatures.

It is important to understand the ecological role of sea ice in the Arctic, especially as regional sea ice ranges are decreasing at unprecedented rates. What happens to the Arctic Ocean ecosystem if the sea ice melts even faster? Answer these questions requires long-term surveillance and data collection systems in harsh Arctic environments.

However, satellite sensors have coarse spatial resolution and are unable to detect fine fractal structures in ice, making direct observation difficult. It is also difficult to deploy human-wrapped ships in the area due to obstacles brought about by extreme weather conditions and broken ice. Furthermore, while traditional ocean observation methods offer limited temporal and spatial coverage, drones and autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) are hampered by energy constraints that limit research possibilities. .

To overcome these challenges, researchers at the University of Engineering and Computer Science at Florida Atlantic University have been working to improve the autonomy of marine vehicles, support maritime missions, and acquire alternative autonomous products to gain deeper We proposed a design of an observation method. Understanding how Arctic sea ice melts will affect marine ecosystems.

Their conceptual design features small waterplane area twin hull (swath) containers that act as docking and charging stations for AUVs and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). The Swath Ship is designed for exceptional stability and can melt ice and operate in a wide range of waters. Designed to be self-sufficient, it utilizes automated sailing, solar panels, and underwater turbines located between twin hulls to generate and store energy, allowing for continuous voyages against ocean currents. We will ensure mission support.

Unlike previous platforms, the system designed by FAU researchers uses advanced technology to monitor the Arctic Ocean from the air, water surface and underwater. The new unmanned surface vehicle (USV) design has been specially tuned for the project to ensure stability in Arctic conditions and handle strong wind speeds. The main purpose of the observation platform system is to investigate melted sea ice areas. Wind energy is utilized to facilitate voyages in Arctic waters, but underwater turbines produce enough energy to keep the system operating.

The findings of a study published in the Journal Applied Ocean Research show that using wind-driven yacht movements to generate electricity from turbines under the swath is a performance to support long-term Arctic Ocean Surveillance Missions It shows that it is a possible method. The design is integrated with the monitoring environment and provides new data on Arctic Ocean Ice beyond what satellites and manned ships can offer.

“Our proposed autonomous observation platform system provides a comprehensive approach to studying the Arctic environment and monitoring the impact of melted sea ice,” said FAU’s Department of Marine and Mechanical Engineering. said Tsung-Chow Su, senior author and professor. .

“Its design and capabilities make it suitable for overcoming the challenges of unique Arctic conditions. By providing an independent platform for continuous data collection, this design is a scientific research, Supports environmental protection and resource management and builds a foundation for the year. Round surveillance of the Arctic.”

FAU-designed vessels are essential for marine data collection, integrating UAVs and AUVs for real-time monitoring, resource exploration and research. The UAV uses high-resolution cameras and sensors for mapping and navigation, while the AUV collects underwater data.

The DJI Dock 2 system allows UAVs to autonomously land, charge and redeploy, while the advanced underwater docking system allows AUVs to refuel and transfer fire and data, expanding their range. Masu. Underwater hull survey equipment collects mission-specific data that is processed on board and transmitted via satellites, allowing for long-term unmanned ocean surveillance.

As a self-supporting platform, the design will be applied to wind and marine current energy, achieving the objectives of long-term monitoring in the Arctic Ocean. A dimensionless equation has been developed to combine with wind-driven power systems to estimate the minimum sail area required for swaths of various sizes.

“Our researchers have developed innovative observation systems tailored to the Arctic environment and provide important data on sea ice melts that satellites and manned vessels cannot be captured. Arctic persistence Long-term monitoring is essential to provide deeper insight into the impact of the FAU University of Engineering and Computer Science. “Sea ice losses that can guide informed policy and management decisions,” and Stella, dean of the FAU University of Engineering and Computer Science. Dr. Batalama said.

“In addition, there remains a lot to discover about Arctic phytoplankton and algae that play an important role in the food web and affect ocean-atmosphere interactions. Future changes in wildlife and food resources.”

The first author of this study is Dr. Wenqiang Xu, a PhD graduate from the Faculty of Marine Mechanical Engineering at FAU.