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）资助的。NSF MRI-R2计划的支持使新泽西的理查德斯托克顿学院获得了一个具有视频功能的远程操作车辆（Vehicle），用于测距和回避的扫描声纳，声学/GPS导航系统，夹具/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头。该船可在水深150米的河口和沿海沃茨作业，并将增强生物学和海洋科学方面的研究、教学和培训能力。 购置该研究中心后，可进行以下研究：北方星星珊瑚（一种温带珊瑚礁生物）的种群遗传学、人工鱼礁的生态及利用、扇贝种群的数量评估、河口与近岸水质之间的关系，以及鱼类主要生境的测绘和划定。由教师和学生收集的数据将通过同行评审的期刊文章，并通过一个公开的项目维基网站，也通过斯托克顿学院网站传播，从而允许访问更广泛的社区，并有助于国家科学数字图书馆。 在这所以本科生为主的院校中，该研究所还将加强对大量学生进行研究方面的教学和培训。

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.