PFI:BIC - A Smart, Flexible, Large-Scale Sensing and Response Service System (LASSaRESS) for Monitoring and Management of Ground, Air and Waterborne Contaminants

地下电缆系统漏油造成环境破坏和经济损失。在世界范围内，其影响估计为20亿美元的直接经济损失。考虑到环境和生产力成本，地下石油泄漏的总危害估计要高得多。该项目的目标是开发一种经济高效、可扩展的智能地下石油泄漏定位系统，该系统可以进行修改，以服务于泄漏检测和污染测量中的一系列应用，包括气体泄漏检测、水泄漏检测和污染监测。通过该项目开发的技术有可能通过应用云计算技术来改进未来一代的分布式网络传感器。这一新的智能系统在实施后，将检测地下泄漏，以及更广泛的污染物，预计将对环境产生重大的积极影响。鉴于该小组过去在地下石油泄漏检测和缓解方面的成功工作，预计在扩大石油泄漏检测方面将产生立竿见影的效果。同时，迷你质谱仪将来可以配置成监测许多污染物，从而解决各种环境挑战。项目目标是：1)构建智能核心系统组件，2)开发核心算法，搭建智能系统试验台，3)现场验证试验台功能。首先，将制造微型质谱仪，并开发可动态配置的云计算网络，目标是将多个微型质谱仪连接到一个分析系统中，以收集泄漏源数据。收集的数据将被分析，并将根据分布式传感器读数使用开发的算法动态优化传感器定位和识别泄漏位置来识别泄漏位置。最后，将在现场实施SMART系统，以监测受控的、低水平的全氟碳示踪剂泄漏。该计划的预期结果是一个低成本、可自我配置、高度灵活的移动系统，可以在最少的人工干预下定位泄漏和污染物。该团队由杜克大学(普拉特工程学院、尼古拉斯环境学院、心理学和神经科学学院)的教职员工、北卡罗来纳州文艺复兴计算研究所(北卡罗来纳州教堂山)的工作人员以及行业合作伙伴PFT Technology，LLC(Bellmore，NY；Small Business)组成。杜克的团队结合了材料科学、计算机工程、质谱学、行为科学和商业化专业知识。Renci带来了最新的网络工具和技术方面的专业知识。我们的行业合作伙伴PFT Technology，LLC是国际公认的基于全氟化碳的泄漏检测领域的领导者，展示了美国和英国公用事业公司成功的泄漏检测计划。该项目将影响多个层次的学生。该项目将雇用两名博士生(杜克大学)。尼古拉斯环境创新和创业证书项目(杜克大学)的专业硕士和博士生将通过他们的课程工作，积极跟踪这个研究项目的进展，学习翻译研究活动的重要方面。杜克大学普拉特工程学院普拉特研究员和大挑战奖学金计划的本科生将通过这些计划获得参与该项目的机会。该项目还将通过提供参与机会，如独立学习或科学博览会项目，吸引约旦高中的学生和教职员工。

Oil leakage from underground cable systems leads to environmental damage and economic loss. World-wide, the impact is estimated at $2 billion in direct economic losses. When environmental and productivity costs are considered, the total harm from underground oil leakage is estimated to be much higher. The goal of this project is to develop a cost-effective, scalable, smart underground oil leak location system that can be modified to serve a host of applications in leak detection and pollution measurement including applications in gas leak detection, water leak detection, and pollution monitoring. The techniques developed through this project have the potential to improve future generations of distributed networked sensors through application of cloud computing technologies. This new smart system, when implemented to detect underground leaks, and more generally, pollutants is expected to make significant, positive environmental impacts. Given the team's past successful work in underground oil leak detection and mitigation, an immediate impact in scaling oil leak detection is expected. At the same time, the mini-mass spectrometers can in the future be configured to monitor many contaminants, thereby addressing a variety of environmental challenges. Project objectives are: 1) build the core smart system components, 2) develop core algorithms and build the smart system test bed, and 3) validate the test bed functionality in the field. First, mini-mass spectrometers will be fabricated, and a dynamically configurable cloud computing network will be developed with the goal of connecting multiple mini-mass spectrometers into an analytical system to collect leak source data. Collected data will be analyzed and leakage locations will be identified based on distributed sensor readings using an algorithm developed to dynamically optimize sensor positioning and identify leak location. Finally, the smart system will be implemented in the field to monitor a controlled, low-level, perfluorocarbon tracer leak. The expected outcome of this program is a low cost, self-configurable, highly flexible, mobile system that can locate leaks and contaminants with minimal human intervention. The team consists of faculty at Duke University (Pratt School of Engineering, Nicholas School of the Environment, and Psychology and Neurosciences), and staff at UNC's Renaissance Computing Institute (Chapel Hill, NC) as well as industry partners, PFT Technology, LLC (Bellmore, NY; small business). Duke's team combines material science, computer engineering, mass spectrometry, behavioral science and commercialization expertise. RENCI brings expertise in the latest cyber tools and technologies. Our industry collaborator, PFT Technology, LLC is recognized internationally as the leader in the field of perfluorocarbon-based leak detection, demonstrating successful leak detection programs for utilities in both the U.S. and the U.K.The project will impact multiple levels of students. Two PhD students (Duke) will be employed by the project. Professional Masters and PhD students in the Nicholas Environmental Innovation and Entrepreneurship Certificate Program (Duke) will, through their coursework, actively follow the progress of this research program to learn important aspects of translational research activities. Undergraduate students in Duke's Pratt School of Engineering Pratt Fellows and Grand Challenge Scholars programs will be offered opportunities to work on the project through these programs. This project will also engage students and faculty at Jordan High School by offering engagement opportunities such as independent study or science fair projects.