Award Data

Category theory has recently been successfully applied to translate information from one computer system to another. Researchers at MIT have developed a prototype software tool based on category theory for solving information-integration programs. The tool has successfully solved small-scale information-integration problems including a problem identified by NIST about enriching the manufacturing s ...

Brevetoxins are a group of marine algal toxic compounds that are produced by microscopic dinoflagellate algae such as Karenia brevis. During harmful algal blooms (HAB), brevetoxins reach concentrations high enough to cause human neurological and gastrointestinal illnesses through inhalation of the airborne toxins or consumption of contaminated shellfish. The timely recognition of this toxin in mar ...

The goal of this project is to determine the feasibility of developing a ground station network capable of delivering real time space weather data to end users. Specifically, the proposed works seek to assess existing and future communications requirements for providing better than 15 minute latency (threshold objective) for transfer of data from NOAA space weather assets to the ground for distrib ...

Remote Sensing Solutions (RSS) proposes to design and evaluate the Debris and Small Object Mapping (DSOM) Radar System. DSOM Radar System is a wide swath sensor for accurate detection and mapping of marine debris and objects in our oceans, coastal waters, inland waters and marine navigation routes. The DSOM Radar System will employ an innovative measurement technique that not only will enable it t ...

This project aims to identify and prove the feasibility of innovative, commercial-scale systems and methods for the cultivation of macroalgae on the high seas. The project team will achieve this goal by identifying candidate areas of the US EEZ that provide favorable conditions for industrial-scale macroalgae production and determine the environmental conditions in those areas that drive system de ...

Atmospheric methane (CH4) is a potent greenhouse gas and ozone precursor that is increasingly important in our understanding and modeling of climate change. Identifying and differentiating methane sources are crucial to any strategies aimed at reducing CH4 emissions. Isotopic composition and ethane content are both dependent upon methane origin, making them valuable diagnostics for source attr ...

Real-time monitoring of organic compounds in water and wastewater is important for management of pollution levels. Current verification measurements relating to the nutrient content of the water cannot be done at frequent intervals or on-site, for example biological oxygen demand (BOD5) yields slow results (five days); another standard method, chemical oxygen demand (COD), uses hazardous chemicals ...

Polestar Technologies Inc. proposes a Phase I Small Business Innovation Research project to develop a deployable sensor for direct measurements of carbonate in saline waters. The designed sensor combines selectivity of carbonate ionophore with the unique structure of a carbon nanotube array. Detection will be based on rapid, inexpensive, low power and precise electrochemical methods. The proposed ...

In order to understand how and why methane (CH4) concentrations change over time, it is necessary to understand their sources and sinks. Stable isotope measurements of 13CH4:12CH4 and CH3D:12CH4 ratios constrain these sinks and sources. This is particularly crucial for methane of microbial origin since other tracers such as ethane and propane are not co-emitted. Global measurements of these ratios ...

The Mobile Observation Platform ((MOP) will leverage the Bottom Crawler (BC) Sea Otter system that C-2ih as developed and tested in very similar environments and operational conditions. Capable of 300-ft depths and 10 mile autonomous transits across mixed environments including soft ground and heavy surf, the Sea Otter will be able to act as realistic surrogate for the MOP and allow C-2i to focus ...