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Sea Change-funded Technology Projects at DCU
19 November 2010
The event was organised by the National Centre for Sensor Research (NCSR) as part of ‘Innovation Dublin 2010’. Progress on innovative approaches to the use of images from cameras and satellites to complement conventional chemical and biological sensing of the marine environment was described. Visual images are being used in the development of multimodal sensor networks which harvest data from a range of different sources in order to better monitor the marine environment. This new methodology is being developed as part of a larger DCU project, the Beaufort Marine Research Award in Marine Sensors and Communications. The award is funded under the Marine Research Sub-Programme of the National Development Plan under Sea Change (Ireland’s Marine Knowledge, Research & Innovation Strategy 2007-2013), which is being implemented by the Marine Institute.
Visiting the event, Dr. Peter Heffernan, CEO of the Marine Institute said, “Our ability to detect and monitor pollution incidents and to understand the ocean processes that influence dynamic events such toxic plankton blooms is directly related to our ability to collect comprehensive and accurate data. New methods and technologies such as those under development in DCU’s Marine and Environmental Sensing Technology Hub (MESTECH) in association with the CLARITY research centre, will ultimately be used to vastly improve our ability to retrieve physical and environmental information from coastal locations in real-time. Developing Ireland’s capacity in these enabling technologies will also catalyse the development of new commercial opportunities for the deployment of remote marine sensing and data processing tools across a number of marine related sectors.”
Testing of a selection of these next generation technologies is already underway in SmartBay, a National Research and Testbed Facility located in Galway Bay. SmartBay provides a real world marine environment where technology developers in industry and the third level sector can develop and test their new technology platforms. Current users of the infrastructure include a range of Multi-Nationals and Indigenous Irish companies from Ireland’s emerging Hi-Tech Marine Products and Services or ‘SmartOcean’ sector.
The use of pictures from on-site cameras or satellite imaging, to identify possible pollution incidents or natural marine phenomena in real time, allows for a more efficient, cost effective and sustainable monitoring network. Following visual detection of pollution events, conventional in situ analytical equipment could be powered up to accurately monitor what is happening in real time. Camera systems and image processing software have already been field tested on the River Lee in Cork and in Galway Bay and have proved very effective as a supplement to existing environmental sensor systems.
Prof. Alan Smeaton, a Principle Investigator with MESTECH and the CLARITY Research Centre who is leading this research area said, “This project is an example of how we can make great strides by combining scientific and technological expertise from different disciplines towards a common goal. In this case we have computing science, remote sensing and environmental science all working together to enable the development of decision-based management tools for the marine environment.”
Other innovative marine technologies being developed by DCU under the Beaufort programme include: the development of effective methods to prevent biofouling (the growth of encrusting animals and plants) on in-situ aquatic sensor devices; a method for rapidly identifying the various different organisms within a harmful algal bloom; and the use of biotechnology to recognise specific contaminants in the marine ecosystem.