MRI: Development of an Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) for Benthic Research and Training

PI正在申请资金，用于在现有设计的基础上开发自主水下航行器(AUV)，并升级为高分辨率和动态范围的数码相机、荧光成像系统、高光谱相机、多波束声纳、叶绿素和CDOM荧光仪以及AC-9吸收和衰减仪。AUV将用于在岛架和斜坡以及其他海底栖息地进行珊瑚礁底栖生物调查。AUV的开发将提供新的研究能力，以绘制和描述位于安全潜水范围之外的深海珊瑚礁栖息地的特征，并为研究生和本科生提供培训和研究机会。广泛影响这项提议的更广泛影响包括本科生和研究生实践教育机会，允许学生参与拟议仪器的开发和使用。AUV还将被用作本科课堂项目、研讨会、专题课程和演示的一部分。波多黎各大学约95%的学生来自海洋科学和技术领域代表性不足的群体。此外，AUV及其能力有可能支持波多黎各以外的珊瑚礁研究人员以及与其他学科的更广泛合作。

The PI is requesting funding for the development of an autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) based on an existing design and upgraded with a high-resolution and dynamic range digital camera, fluorescence imaging system, hyperspectral camera, multi-beam sonar, chlorophyll and CDOM fluorometers, and an AC-9 absorption and attenuation meter. The AUV will be used for coral reef benthic surveys on the insular shelf and slope, as well as other benthic habitats. The AUV development will provide new research capabilities to map and characterize deep coral reef habitats that lie outside of safe SCUBA range and provide training and research opportunities for graduate and undergraduate students.Broader ImpactsThe broader impacts from this proposal include undergraduate and graduate hands-on educational opportunities by allowing students to participate in the both the development and the use of the proposed instrumentation. The AUV will also be used as part of undergraduate classroom projects, seminars, special topics courses, and demonstrations. Approximately 95% of the student population at the University of Puerto Rico comes from underrepresented groups in ocean science and technology. Additionally, the AUV and its capabilities has the potential to support wider collaborations among researchers for coral reef research outside of Puerto Rico as well as with other disciplines.