MRI-R2: Acquisition of a Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) for Coastal Underwater Research

该奖项是根据2009年《美国复苏和再投资法案》(公法111-5)提供资金的。在NSF MRI-R2计划的支持下，新泽西州理查德·斯托克顿学院获得了具有视频功能的遥控飞行器(ROV)、用于测距和避让的扫描声纳、声学/GPS导航系统、夹爪/刀具收集工具、用于声纳、导航和视频存储的集成计算机控制，以及水质数据记录探测仪。ROV可以在河口和沿海水域150米深的地方作业，并将增强生物学和海洋科学方面的研究、教学和培训能力。购买ROV将有助于研究北极星珊瑚(一种温带珊瑚礁生物)的种群遗传学、人工鱼礁殖民和利用的生态、扇贝种群的种群评估、河口和近岸水质之间的联系以及基本鱼类栖息地的测绘和描绘。教师和学生收集的数据将通过同行评议的期刊文章和公开可用的项目维基网站以及斯托克顿学院网站传播，从而允许访问更广泛的社区并为国家科学数字图书馆做出贡献。ROV还将在这个以本科生为主的机构加强对大量研究学生的教学和培训。

This award is funded under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Public Law 111-5). Support from the NSF MRI-R2 program has allowed The Richard Stockton College of New Jersey to acquire a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) with video capabilities, scanning sonar for ranging and avoidance, an acoustic /GPS navigation system, gripper/cutter collection tools, integrated computer controls for sonar, navigation and video storage, and a water quality data logging sonde. The ROV can operate in estuarine and coastal waters to a depth of 150 m, and will augment research, teaching and training capabilities in biology and marine science. The acquisition of the ROV will enable research on the population genetics of the northern star coral, a temperate reef organism, the ecology of artificial reef colonization and utilization, stock assessment of scallop populations, linkage between estuarine and inshore water quality and mapping and delineation of Essential Fish Habitat. The data collected by faculty and students will be disseminated through peer-reviewed journal articles, and via a publicly available project wiki based website and also through the Stockton College website, thereby allowing access to the broader community and contributing to the National Science Digital Library. The ROV would also enhance teaching and training of a large number of students in research, in this primarily undergraduate institution.