Cognitive-Based Data Fusion for Integrated Direct Push Technologies

本项目将开发一种新型的多传感器锥形电阻率计，该仪器配备有用于测量锥尖电阻和套筒摩擦力的测压元件、用于测量孔隙水压力的压力传感器、用于测量土壤电导率的电导率传感器、蒸汽采样模块以及用于嗅探和检测土壤污染物的新型井下微型电子鼻。将开发基于认知的多传感器数据融合模型，用于融合和解释来自多个传感器的数据，以筛选地下污染物，并估计各种土壤和原位状态属性。将在实验室进行受控校准室研究，以测试探头并训练数据融合模型。该系统还将与美国环保署新英格兰地区实验室合作进行实地测试。提出了一种基于人类认知（数据融合）和生物感知（嗅觉）机制的场地特征识别技术。这项研究将促进对场地特征的认识和理解。预计该项目将导致更好地理解传感器集成，模式识别和数据融合技术。拟议的技术预计将大大减少在最初的现场调查期间昂贵和耗时的实验室分析，限制人员接触污染介质的可能性，并减少在常规钻探和取样活动期间通常产生的调查废物量。因此，该项目的成果将大大有助于社会的健康，安全和经济。现有的原位测试数据解释方法大多是基于经验或半经验公式，没有同时考虑所有的测量参数。本研究提出的新方法将减少与个别技术收集的数据的地下解释相关的不确定性，并以抵消个别传感技术各自局限性的方式提供信息。该项目的更广泛的影响是通过在研究中的代表性不足的研究生和本科生的整合增强。教育部分结合了学术，研究技能，技术技能和协作技能，通过现实世界，真正的学习方法。拟议的活动包括：在现有课程中增加新的单元，K-12外联，在为代表性不足的群体服务的机构中做介绍，培训学生导师，参加会议，与研究人员、行业专业人员和政府官员互动。该项目将开发的新型传感技术将增加现有的研究和教育基础设施。与联邦机构、研究实验室（EPA）和行业（Geoprobe Systems Inc.）将提供独特的设施和场地，并为研究、教育和技术转让提供广泛的专业知识。这一项目的成果将广泛传播，以使广大受众受益，提高他们对科学和技术的理解，并提高他们对环境问题的认识。数据融合和电子鼻的研究可能会对执法、军事和国土安全（用于检测毒品、爆炸物、化学和生物武器）产生更广泛的影响。该项目的成果预计将对社会的健康、安全和生活质量产生全球影响。

This project will develop a novel multi-sensor cone penetrometer instrumented with load cells to measure cone tip resistance and sleeve friction, pressure transducer to measure pore water pressure, conductivity sensor to measure soil electrical conductivity, vapor sampling module, and a new down-hole miniature electronic nose to sniff and detect soil contaminants. Cognitive-based multi-sensor data fusion models will be developed for fusing and interpreting data from the multiple sensors in order to screen subsurface contaminants, and to estimate a various soil and in-situ state properties. Controlled calibration chamber studies will be performed in the laboratory to test the probe and train the data fusion models. The system will also be tested in the field in collaboration with the EPA New England Regional Laboratory. A novel site characterization technology that is based on human cognition (data fusion) and biological sensing (olfaction) mechanisms is proposed. This research will advance knowledge and understanding in site characterization. It is expected that this project will lead to a better understanding of sensor integration, pattern recognition, and data fusion techniques. The proposed technology is expected to significantly reduce costly and time-consuming laboratory analysis during initial site investigations, limit potential personnel exposure to contaminated media, and reduce the amount of investigation-derived waste normally generated during conventional drill and sample activities. Thus the outcome of this project will significantly contribute to the health, safety, and economy of the society. Most of the existing methods for interpreting in situ test data are based on empirical or semi-empirical equations that do not consider all the measured parameters simultaneously. The new approach proposed in this research will reduce the uncertainty associated with subsurface interpretation from the data gathered by individual technologies and provide information in such a way as to offset the respective limitations of individual sensing technologies. The broader impacts of this project are enhanced through the integration of underrepresented graduate and undergraduate students in research. The educational component combines academics, research skills, technical skills, and collaborative skills, through a real-world, real-learning, approach. Proposed activities include, addition of new modules in an existing course, K-12 outreach, making presentations in institutions that serve underrepresented groups, training student mentors, participation in conferences, interaction with researchers, industry professionals and public officials. The novel sensing technologies that will be developed in this project will add to the existing infrastructure for research and education. Partnerships with federal agencies, research laboratories (EPA), and industry (Geoprobe Systems Inc.) will provide access to unique facilities and sites, and provide broad expertise for research, education and technology transfer. The results from this project will be broadly disseminated to benefit a large audience, enhancing their scientific and technological understanding, and increasing their awareness on environmental issues. Research in data fusion, and electronic nose could have broader impacts in law enforcement, in the military and in Home Land Security (for detecting drugs, explosives, chemical and biological weapons). The outcome of this project is envisioned to have a global impact on the health, safety and quality of life of the society.