The twenty fifth Student Poster Program of the OCEANS Conference series was held in Biloxi, MS as a part of OCEANS ’09 MTS/IEEE BILOXI. The program was organized by Prof. Stephan Howden of the University of Southern Mississippi and Greg Eisman of SAIC. The program was funded by grants from the Office of Naval Research, SAIC, Mississippi Technical Alliance, and Deep Sea Power and Light. Forty three poster abstracts were received and thirty four were accepted for presentation. Two invited students from China were unable to attend, however their posters were displayed. One other student was away on a scheduled research assignment and was unable to attend. Three students whose abstracts were accepted had to withdraw from the competition. Students came from Australia, Canada, Egypt, Germany, Korea, Portugal, and the United States.

     Thirty one posters were on display and wonderfully located in the corridor where all conference attendees had to pass through them on their way to the meeting rooms.

     The judging was completed by noon on Wednesday and the prizes were awarded at the Gala in the Beau Rivage hotel that evening. Prof. Howden called all of the students on stage and presented each student with a certificate for their participation in the program. Mr. Norman D. Miller, the OES Student Activities Coordinator was called up to present the awards. The audience gave the students a big hand following the awards presentations. The session ended with a photograph session in the lobby. The roster of students and their poster titles are given below with an abstract of their paper. The winning poster is reprinted in total following this article.

Ame Arakaki – University of Hawaii at Manoa
     “Harnessing the SHM of Ocean Waves”
     Abstract: Harnessing offshore ocean wave energy was the focus of our renewable energy project, specifically mechanical energy of the system derived from the Simple Harmonic Motion. Our design consists of an array of buoys (strung in rows arranged into a stacked configuration) along the surface of the ocean with them individually tethered to a static submerged platform. Our team constructed a prototype of a single buoy with a weight seated on the ocean floor in place of the platform. During the prototype’s lab and near-shore field test, the prototype successfully generated milliwatts of electricity. The recorded data were used to translate measurements of amps and volts per second onto a spreadsheet for the calculation of the mean power generation. To summarize the entire process, if the ocean wave contains sufficient power to overcome the forces needed to disrupt the buoy-platform equilibrium, then the resulting DL will determine how many times the turbine’s shaft will rotate and how much electricity is generated.

Nichoas Asseff – Florida Atlantic University
     “Design and Finite Element Analysis of an Ocean Current Turbine Blade”
     Abstract: A composite 3 meter ocean current turbine blade has been designed and analyzed using Blade Element Theory (BET) and commercial Finite Element Modeling (FEM) code, ANSYS. It has been observed that using the numerical BET tool created, power production up to 141 kW is possible from a 3 bladed rotor in an ocean current of 2.5 m/s with the proposed blade design. The blade is of sandwich construction with carbon fiber skin and high density foam core. It also contains two webs made of S2-glass for added shear rigidity. Four design cases were analyzed, involving differences in hydrodynamic shape, material properties, and internal structure. Results from the linear static structural analysis revealed that the best design provides adequate stiffness and strength to produce the proposed power without any structural failure. An Eigenvalue Buckling analysis confirmed that the blade would not fail from buckling prior to overstressed laminate failure if the loading was to exceed the Safety Factor.

John Bandas – Texas A&M University
     “The Design of a Self-propelled Jack-up Drilling Rig for the Chukchi Sea”
     Abstract: ConocoPhillips asked the team to design a self propelled jack up drilling rig for exploratory work in the Chukchi Sea, during the warm water season, at a location that is approximately 131 feet (40 m) in water depth. This was accomplished using computer programs including StabCAD, SolidWorks, AutoCAD, and Visual Analysis. The legs of the jack up were designed to withstand ice collisions with the aid of patrolling ice breakers. The jack up rig had to be capable of traveling at speeds up to 11 knots (5.65 m/s). The stability during transit was analyzed for an intact condition as well as a damaged condition (assuming two ballast tanks are damaged). The centers of gravity and buoyancy were calculated, as well as metacentric height. A geotechnical analysis was performed on the spud cans of the rig. The rig was designed to comply with all safety regulations specified by the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS), the Mobile Offshore Drilling Unit (MODU) Rules, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) rules, and the T&R 5-5A Design Criteria set by the Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers (SNAME) and Marine Pollution Act (Marpol 73/78).

Stephen Barkby – Australian Centre for Field Robotics
     “Incorporating Prior Bathymetric Maps with Distributed Particle Bathymetric SLAM for Improved AUV Navigation and Mapping”
     Abstract: We propose a method to improve the georeferenced accuracy and self-consistency of bathymetric maps generated by Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs), where the navigation solution is prone to drift when GPS or other methods of absolute positioning are unavailable. This is accomplished using a non-feature based approach to Simultaneous Localization and Mapping (SLAM) that utilizes a 2D grid structure to represent the map and a Distributed Particle Filter to track the uncertainty in the vehicle state. Our method does not need to explicitly identify features in the surrounding environment or apply complicated matching algorithms to our bathymetry, as is commonly done when performing terrain aided navigation. In this work we demonstrate how a prior low-resolution map generated by a surface vessel in a standard gridded form can be readily integrated into our approach to bathymetric SLAM to additionally enforce consistency between the prior map and the AUV bathymetry. We illustrate the proposed approach using data from recent survey work undertaken off the coast of the Tasman Peninsula in South Eastern Tasmania, Australia. The results achieved by the Bathymetric distributed Particle SLAM (BPSLAM) filter are shown to improve the maps and trajectories when compared to dead reckoning fused with USBL observations.
     Stephen Barkby is currently working for the Australian Centre for Field Robotics in Sydney, Australia. The centre is affiliated with the University of Sydney which is where he is currently completing his PhD degree. This is also where Stephen completed his undergraduate degrees, a BE in Mechatronics (Space) and a BSc in Physics. His research is focused on improving the quality of the bathymetric maps produced by the AUV Sirius using a Non Feature based approach to SLAM.

Becky Baxter – Georgetown University
     “Polarimetric Remote Sensing of Ocean Waves”
     Polarimetric remote sensing provides information about imaged scenes which cannot be obtained from luminance and spectral measurements alone, such as surface orientation, surface roughness, and index of refraction. Exploiting the polarization state of light reflected off of the ocean surface will enable measurement of the two-dimensional slope field of the surface. From this measurement, the significant wave height of the waves can be calculated. This paper presents an initial investigation of remotely-sensed multi-spectral polarimetric timeseries imagery collected over a deep-water buoy using Areté Associates’ Airborne Remote Optical Spotlight System- MultiSpectral Polarimeter (AROSS-MSP). In addition to preliminary data analysis, we describe a model of the expected polarimetric signature of ocean waves as measured by a remote sensing electro-optical imager. Comparisons between the measured polarimetric data and the modeled polarization signature agree fairly well.

Samuel Bingham – University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee
     “Design of an ROV for Precision Sea Floor Vehicle Mobility and Entry in the 2009 MATE International ROV Competition”
     Abstract: The main goal of this project was to engineer a Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) to compete in the 2009 Marine Advanced Technology Education (MATE) International ROV competition. The vehicle was designed to operate in a submarine rescue fashion, while maintaining the maneuverability and precision actuations of a normal ROV. The vehicle has been designed for the efficient completion of tasks that a rescue ROV may have to perform. These tasks range from surveying the submarine, opening a hatch and inserting emergency supplies, supplying an airline, and providing a transfer skirt for rescue.
     Sam Bingham is a Junior studying Computer Science at the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee. This is his third year on the ROV Team at UWM. He works part time at the Great Lakes WATER Institute assisting with a remote buoy sensor network and plans to continue his goals of applying computer science to environmental research after graduation.

Clint Dunbar – Texas A&M University
     “Texas A&M Student Design Project – East Central Gulf of Mexico Truss Spar”
     Abstract: A student team at Texas A&M University has designed a truss spar for producing oil and gas in East Central Gulf of Mexico for a 4000 ft (1219.2 m) water depth. The Spar was designed to withstand a 100 year storm. American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) rules and American Petroleum Institute (API) guidelines were used in the design. The Truss Spar, known as “Sirena Dotada”, is located 176 miles southwest of Clearwater, FL. This area is located just off the continental shelf in an area known as “The Elbow”. The reservoir is estimated to contain 300 million barrels of oil and have a field life of approximately 20 years. The total length of the Spar hull, from the top of the hard tank to the bottom of the soft tank, is 646 ft (196.9 m) and the diameter of the hard tank is 120 ft (36.6 m). There are three heave plates that are spaced 85 ft (25.9 m) apart.

Sarah Epps – University of Southern Mississippi
     “Distribution of Suspended Particulate Matter in the surface Waters of the Northern Gulf of Mexico: Interim Report”
     Abstract: This research quantifies suspended particulate matter in surface waters observed during multiple research cruises that took place in the Northern Gulf of Mexico as part of the continuing study, “Satellite Assessment of CO2 Distribution, Variability and Flux and Understanding of Control Mechanisms in a River Dominated Ocean Margin”, a NSF funded grant. For the purposes of this study, suspended particulate matter was defined as material located in the water column which may be captured on a filtration membrane with a pore size of
0.4 μm. The percent of particulate organic carbon (POC) was also quantified.

Girges Fath-Allah – Alexandria University, Egypt
     “A New Reliable Minimal Volume/Weight Environmental Friendly Power Unit Design Using Microchannel Vaporizer Fuel Cell Processors and Slice Hulls for Super and Mega Yachts”
     Abstract: The present paper proposes a simple easy to design and implement scheme to employ fuel cells as the sole power source for super-yachts. The scheme relies on using a microvaporizer to reduce the volume of the processor associated with each fuel cell and alleviate the need for hydrogen storage. Moreover, SLICE hull is used to take advantage of the SLICE to store the motors and fuel cell array. In addition to that, a simple strategy is suggested to enhance the reliability of the proposed fuel cell array. The feasibility of the proposed design is demonstrated through a case study of designing a super-yacht called Heaven.

Bruno Ferreira – Engineering of University of Porto, Portugal
     “Modeling and Motion Analysis of the MARES Autonomous Underwater Vehicle”
     Abstract: In the robotic domain, it is common to deduce and use models that allow translating mathematically the element behavior. In some cases, these would serve as base to determine and develop a controller, for example. Beyond this, the simulation and experiments are reasons that leave to the development of models, becoming evaluation tools of the system behavior, especially when there are constraints of implementation or in experiments. However, the modeling is an approach to the reality, since it is difficult to translate the behavior of an element in a strict way and the disturbances to which it is subject to. In this work, we address the modeling questions of an autonomous underwater vehicle. This paper describes the deducing of a dynamic model with six degrees of freedom of an underwater vehicle, considering all of its physical characteristics. This is achieved by the determination of all forces that actuates on the body during its motions and by the determination of the rigid body dynamic. The modeling method is presented as well as the coefficients determination. Finally, a comparison with experimental results is carried out.
     Bruno Ferreira was born in 1986 at Bragança, a small city in the north-east of Portugal. He moved to Paris (France) at 6 years old where he attended elementary and middle school. He moved back to the Portugal attending high school in Bragança and then moved to Porto, completing a master’s degree in Electrical Engineering at the University of Porto. He is currently enrolled in a PhD program at the same school. His primary interests are control, modeling, and electronics applied to robotics.

Aaron Fisher – Florida Atlantic University
     “Adaptive Control of Small Outboard-Powered Boats for Survey Applications”
     Abstract: Four autopilot controllers have been developed in this work that can both hold a desired heading and follow a straight line. These PID, adaptive PID, neuro-adaptive, and adaptive augmenting control algorithms have all been implemented into a numerical simulation of a 33-foot center console vessel with wind, waves, and current disturbances acting in the perpendicular (across-track) direction of the boat’s desired trajectory. Each controller is tested for its ability to follow a desired heading in the presence of these disturbances and then to follow a straight line at two different throttle settings for the same disturbances. These controllers were tuned for an input thrust of 2000 N and all four controllers showed good performance with none of the controllers significantly outperforming the others when holding a constant heading and following a straight line at this engine thrust. Each controller was then tested for a reduced engine thrust of 1200 N per engine where each of the three adaptive controllers reduced heading error and across-track error by approximately 50% after a 300 second tuning period when compared to the fixed gain PID, showing that significant robustness to changes in throttle setting was gained by using an adaptive algorithm.
     Aaron Fisher was born in 1985. He graduated from the University of Pittsburgh in 2007 with a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering. He is currently working towards a Master’s Degree in Ocean Engineering at Florida Atlantic University with a research interest in station keeping and vessel control.

Rowan Fox – Institute of Ocean Sciences – University of Victoria, Canada
     “Slocum Glider Observations during the Spring Bloom in the Strait of Georgia”
     Abstract: A Slocum Glider mission was undertaken in the southern Strait of Georgia from February 18–March 10, 2009. The glider flew a repeated 10 Km transect across the Strait, providing excellent meso-scale resolution of measured temperature, conductivity, dissolved oxygen concentration and saturation, chlorophyll a fluorescence, coloured dissolved organic matter fluorescence, and optical backscatter. During this mission, the glider was able to observe the early stages of the spring phytoplankton bloom.
     The sensors on the glider identify the physical and biological processes that occur in the Strait, many of which have been found to be important for the timing and development of the spring bloom. Glider fluorometer data show sub-surface pulses of high chlorophyll a concentration (>20 μg/L) in the Strait from February 19–25, 2009. These pulses were observed 5–20 m below the surface, to a maximum of 4 km wide. These signals were interpreted as part of the “Malaspina Dragon”, a pattern of phytoplankton growth preceding the spring bloom, previously viewed with the Fluorescence Line Height (FLH) algorithm of the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) and the Medium Resolution Imaging Spectrometer (MERIS) ocean colour satellites in 2005 and 2008. The “Malaspina Dragon” is a phytoplankton bloom originating in Sechelt and Jervis Inlets, spreading towards Malaspina Strait, and out into the Strait of Georgia. Strong winds in the Strait from February 25–March 1 mixed the surface waters, and spread the phytoplankton throughout the Strait. The glider observed a strong bloom in surface chlorophyll a concentration over the entire mission area (10–15 μg/L) from March 3, until the end of the glider mission on March 10. Wind events breaking up the Malaspina Dragon may be a mechanism for early spring blooms in the Strait of Georgia.

Thomas Furfaro – Florida Atlantic University
     “Design, Construction, and Initial Testing of an Autonomous Surface Vehicle for Riverine and Coastal Reconnaissance”
     Abstract: This paper outlines the development and initial testing of the Nereus autonomous surface vehicle. Conceived specifically as a system for riverine and coastal observation, the ASV is capable of transmitting real-time audio and visual surveillance to a shoreside base station. In addition, Nereus is designed to transmit situational awareness data including, but not limited to, vehicle speed, position, and heading, as well as water depth and basic bathymetry. The vehicle consists of a catamaran platform with brushless DC motors housed in each hull. Driving four bladed propellers contained within Kort nozzles, the two motors produce differential thrust for all maneuvering. Control is provided by an LPC 2138 development board interfaced with a student-designed RS-232 multiplexer and power distribution board, and an infrared security camera and directional long range microphone to provide operators with real-time observations of a desired target both day and night. This paper discusses the motivation and necessity for the project, comments on initial modeling, performance prediction, and key aspects of the design, and concludes by presenting preliminary test results.

Valerie Hartmann – University of Southern Mississippi
     “The Impact of hypoxia on bioturbation rates in the Louisiana continental shelf, northern Gulf of Mexico”
     Abstract: Variation in the spatial and temporal extent of hypoxia in coastal bottom waters of the northern Gulf of Mexico leads to changes in benthic community structure and sediment physical properties. Past and present benthic community structure determines what types of biogenic structures are present in the sediment as well as faunal mixing rates. Therefore, hypoxia has an important effect upon bioturbation. This study focuses upon the effects of hypoxia on bioturbation specifically on the continental shelf of Louisiana, where hypoxia has become an important issue due to its seasonal reoccurrence and increasing expansion across the northern Gulf of Mexico over the past 30 years.
     In this project, characteristics of biogenic structures in the sediment including number, diameter, and depth are correlated with benthic communities dwelling in hypoxic, intermittently hypoxic, and normoxic conditions using non-destructive Computed Tomography (CT) imagery of sediment cores and Sediment Profile Imaging (SPI) photography. Biogenic structures are also correlated with sediment physical properties, bioturbation rates, and bioturbation behaviors (dilator or compactor) of benthic invertebrate fauna. Initial data for this project was collected during two cruises along the continental shelf of Louisiana, the first in April 2009 and the second in September 2009. Four different “provinces” were chosen for sampling using bottom water oxygen concentration data from the Louisiana Universities Marine Consortium (LUMCON) and archived sediment type data. These four sampling sites represe nt normoxic and hypoxic provinces with a consistent sediment type. The provinces consist of a normoxic site (NO) that has experienced hypoxia less than 25% of the time and briefly hypoxic (BH), frequently hypoxic (FH) and hypoxic (HO) sites that have experienced hypoxia greater than 25% of the time.

Xiaodong Kang – Shenyang Institute of Automation, China*
     “Fuzzy logic based behavior fusion for multi-AUV formation keeping in uncertain ocean environment”
     Abstract: In the complex and uncertain ocean environments, and under the conditions of current and sensor noises, multiple autonomous underwater vehicles (multi-AUV) keep a spatial formation to survey a large-scale unknown area with real-time obstacle avoidance ability. This paper presents a new behavior fusion method using fuzzy logic for coordinating multiple reactive behaviors. The inputs to the proposed fuzzy control scheme for the leader AUV in multi-AUV system consist of the deviation in yaw angle while performing obstacle avoidance and goal seeking action separately, and the fuzzy control scheme for the follower AUV consists of the deviations in yaw angle while performing obstacle avoidance and formation keeping action separately. The outputs from the behavior fusion scheme are the behavior weights for the leader and follower AUV. A real-time simulation platform has been developed and several typical obstacle scenes have been demonstrated in this simulation platform, the simulation results verify the effectiveness and robustness of the proposed behavior fusion method.

YoungBum Kim – Inha University, Korea
     “Application Scenario of Nautical Ad-hoc Network for Maritime Communications”
     Abstract: In terrestrial wireless communications, high datarate transmission can be readily achieved by installing base stations on the ground. However, the same system may not be adapted to maritime communication due to the geographically restricted nature of the sea, and therefore, MF/HF modems, capable of long-distance transmission, with low data-rate are frequently employed in maritime communication. Maritime satellite communication through Inmarsat is conventionally used to compensate for the low data-rate transmission of MF/HF modems, but its high cost still remains as a main drawback. In order to enhance the transmission speed with a fairly low price, in general, a network whose architecture is similar to Vehicular Adhoc Network (VANET), that allows peer-to-peer communications without base stations, i.e., ad-hoc network, is crucial. Herein, we propose an ad-hoc network for nautical environment, which is named as Nautical Ad-hoc Network (NANET). In this paper, scenarios toward NANET development are described and analysis of multiple access and duplexing schemes for corresponding NANET scenarios is discussed. A guideline for further research and developmental strategies on NANET is also suggested.

William Kirkey – Clarkson University
     “Long-Term Deployment of Liquid-Cooled High Frequency (HF) Radar”
     Abstract: A liquid cooling system has been incorporated into a 5 MHz (long-range) SeaSonde HF radar system from CODAR Ocean Sensors. The cooling system consists of commercially available heat exchangers, connected in series and applied to various heat sources within the system. These include the central module within the transmitter chassis, as well as four locations within the receiver chassis. In addition, heat exchangers were also installed on the processor, northbridge, and hard drive of the Apple Mac mini computer used to govern the system. Bench testing showed that these heat exchangers are sufficient to effectively dissipate the roughly 200 W of heat generated by the radar equipment. We also designed and built a cooling reservoir for the dissipation of this heat to the external environment. In order to minimize power consumption, a passive cooling reservoir was developed. Four 55 gallon high-density polyethylene barrels are used to store the water, which is cooled by ambient air and wind. Water is circulated through the system by a single 39 W pump operating off of 24 VDC. This system was field-deployed for one year at Matagorda Island, located in Texas off the coast of the Gulf of Mexico. This is a remote site at which commercial power is unavailable. Instead, the system is powered by a photovoltaic array. Air conditioning at this site would more than double the total power requirements of the installation. In contrast, the water cooling system requires less than 20% of the total electrical power. From August 2008 to August 2009, the system operated with high reliability, producing surface current radial data which was transmitted in near real-time via a cellular signal to the National HF Radar Network and is publically available via the World Wide Web.

Justin Lorio – Florida Atlantic University
     “Design of a Next Generation Surface Piercing Propeller Test Stand”
     Abstract: In order to explore the open water characteristics of surface piercing propellers, a test stand was designed to perform towing tank experiments. The test apparatus will have automated control of propeller speed and depth of immersion as well as angles of inclination and yaw. The design methods and final design of the system are presented in this paper.
     Justin Lorio is a native of Jeanerette, Louisiana. He earned his undergraduate degree from the University of New Orleans in Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering. After graduating he worked as a Naval Architect for nearly 2 years. Justin is currently working toward a Master’s Degree in Ocean Engineering at Florida Atlantic University, with a focus in Hydrodynamics. He is currently developing a prototype apparatus for tow tank testing of surface piercing propellers. He also designed the hull for FAU’s autonomous surface vehicle that was used at the 2009 AUVSI competition. Justin plans to complete his master’s degree in Spring 2010.

Virgilio Maisonet – University of Southern Mississippi
     “Measuring Coastal Sea-Surface Salinity of the Louisiana Shelf from Aerially Observed Ocean Color”
     Abstract: We have demonstrated the ability of airborne radiance and irradiance sensors to detect the persistent salinity gradient of the Atchafalaya plume and corresponding color fronts as observed by in-situ shipboard measurements as well as STARRS. We used an empirical algorithm

for CDOM from D’Sa et al. 2006. Their study was conducted in the same region (Louisiana Shelf) and time of year (March) as our study and it was performed with similar optical equipment. This study resulted in an Ocean Color Salinity model that can measure with ,88% accuracy the Sea-Surface Salinity of the Louisiana shelf. A multi-linear regression for salinity, based on two of the optical channels, provides an excellent qualitative proxy for large scale coastal salinity in the Atchafalaya plume region (y = –0.0082 * × + 0.34, R2 = 0.90, n = 5220). We then developed two algorithms from the May and November data. This was done to create two seasonal equations for salinity.

Joule Mikhael – Alexandria University, Egypt
     “Minimal Fuel Consumption and Highly Maneuverable Marine Vessels Designed Based on ASAP Hull Technology and Sontag Non-Linear Feedback Stabilization”
     Abstract: The present paper proposes a new hull design called ASAP (All Speeds Array of Pods). The new hull combines both the advantages of SLICE and SWATH hulls. A fifth moveable pod is added amid the SLICE pods to achieve this goal. Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) software is used to optimize the proposed hull by adapting pods locations as well as fifth pod dimensions. The paper includes a comprehensive comparison between SLICE and ASAP hulls based on resistance, technology, cost, structural analysis and sea-sickness/sea-keeping behavior aspects. To further ensure the feasibility of the proposed hull design and improve its dynamic stability and fuel consumption, a control scheme based on Sontag non-linear feedback universal stabilization formula is proposed. The control scheme can be employed at both fifth pod lifting mechanism level and autopilot level. The present study verifies that the proposed hull is a truly competitive alternative to existing hull technologies.

Ruth Mullins – Texas A&M University
     “Real-time Environmental Monitoring from a Wind Farm Platform in the Texas Hypoxic Zone”
     Abstract: Ocean observing systems (OOS) are useful tools for assisting coastal managers with informed decision-making. OOS are designed to monitor environmental, oceanographic, and atmospheric parameters and can be installed on a variety of offshore platforms. In the summer of 2009, a multi-disciplinary real-time OOS, Galveston Instrument Garden for Environmental Monitoring (GIGEM), was deployed off the coast of Galveston, Texas (Location: 29o08"29.654"N, 094o44"51.339"W) to monitor coastal waters and provide data to investigate the processes controlling coastal Texas hypoxia. Hypoxia occurs in the Gulf of Mexico and refers to low dissolved oxygen concentrations in the bottom waters caused by a combination of environmental and physical parameters. Hypoxic events commonly occur along the Louisiana and Texas coasts however, little research has been conducted to investigate the processes responsible for Texas hypoxia formation. GIGEM was designed to help solve this problem by contributing real-time measurements to compare with historical coastal data series. Unlike traditional coastal OOS, GIGEM is installed on an experimental wind farm platform, operated by Wind Energy System Technologies Inc. (WEST). GIGEM is comprised of two components, the underwater mooring and bottom package, with all instrumentation connected by a unique, intricate design of seawater and surface inductive modems. GIGEM is also the only coastal OOS collecting real-time environmental water quality measurements on the Texas shelf. The work presented describes the obstacles and challenges with deploying GIGEM, the flow of information from the water column to the user, and future plans for constructing a comprehensive picture of Texas coastal hypoxia. Details are also presented on how this type of OOS compares with additional OOS in the Gulf of Mexico and how the societal goals for protecting coastal ecosystems and improving coastal weather and ocean predictions implemented by the Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS) are fulfilled.

Julia O’Hern – Texas A&M University**
     “Marine Mammal Habitat in Ecuador: Seasonal Abundance and Environmental Distribution”
     Abstract: Marine mammals in the Eastern Equatorial Pacific play a vital ecological role toward structuring trophic systems and the distribution commercially valuable prey. However, scientific study of their populations within the waters surrounding Ecuador has been only infrequently conducted and largely neglected over the past decade. Our research including six marine mammal surveys will investigate the distribution of marine mammals inhabiting the oceanic areas between the Ecuadorian mainland and around the Galápagos Islands. Visual observers documented marine mammal sightings while aboard the Ecuadorian Navy’s Oceanographic Vessel the (B/I) Orion last September/October 2008 and April 2009. The range of different species positively identified as well as the large proportion of sightings that could not be identified to species using current survey methodologies, suggests that the diversity and overall marine mammal abundance within Ecuadorian waters may be much higher than previously suspected. Four more surveys covering similar periods of the year will be conducted over the next two years.

Chudong Pan – University of Southern Mississippi
     “A Preliminary Study of the Influence of Regional Winds on Bering Strait Transport”
     Abstract: The goal of this study is to determine the role of the wind in the Chukchi and Bering Sea in the controlling transport through the Bering Strait. Wind data from 1990–1991 (6 hourly, 2.5 × 2.5 degree resolution) is analyzed using EOF (Empirical Orthogonal Functions) method. Hourly velocity measurements taken from a mooring station are used as representative average current velocity in the Bering Strait. Correlations between the wind EOFs and the Bering Strait current velocity are calculated. Together with spectrum analysis, principal component analysis and correlation analysis, the extent of the region where winds affect the transport using wind fields from different areas is determined. The correlations between 1st wind EOF and the current velocity are larger than the correlation with the local winds, which indicates that 1th wind EOF may play more important role for the transport in the region.

Allison Penko – University of Florida
     “Mixture Theory Model Sensitivity to Effective Viscosity in Simulations of Sandy Bedform Dynamics”
     Abstract: We perform a sensitivity analysis on a three-dimensional bottom boundary layer model (SedMix3D) that uses mixture theory to simulate the flow and sediment transport over rippled sand beds. SedMix3D treats the fluid-sediment mixture as a single continuum with effective properties that parameterize the fluid-sediment and sediment-sediment interactions using several closures for the sediment phase. The effective viscosity is one such closure that includes three adjustable parameters: the intrinsic viscosity, the maximum viscosity, and the maximum packing concentration of unconsolidated sediment. The sensitivity of suspended sediment concentration predictions by SedMix3D is tested by varying the intrinsic viscosity, which is a proxy for sediment grain shape. We qualitatively and quantitatively analyze the model output of suspended sediment concentration for a range of intrinsic viscosity values typical of quartz sand. Intrinsic viscosity values ranging from 2.5 to 3.5 produce total suspended sediment concentrations that differ less than 11%. However, there is approximately a 16% difference between the suspended sediment concentrations from intrinsic viscosity values of 2.5 to 3.5 and 4.0 to 5.0. Simulations of sediment transport over bedforms performed here were not significantly sensitive to the choice of an intrinsic viscosity value in the range of 2.5 to 3.5. Using a baseline intrinsic viscosity value of 3.0, we subsequently tested two additional effective viscosity formulations. The suspended sediment concentrations predicted by the Eilers and Krieger-Dougherty formulations were very similar, but the Mooney formulation generated much less suspended sediment. We found the model to be more sensitive to variations of effective viscosity in the ripple-fluid interface than in the suspension range.

Miguel Pinto – Engineering University of Porto, Portugal 
     “Using Side Scan Sonar to Relative Navigation”
     Abstract: This paper describes the interaction between the kinematic model of the AUV MARES and the measurement or observation of the environment through images obtained with a sonar. Three types of sonar are discussed in this paper: forward-look, side scan and multibeam – but the sonar used to develop this work was the side scan sonar. The type of observations and characteristics of the environment provided by the sonar are described here. The method which connects the sensory part of the vehicle with the observations from the sonar, was the Kalman filter (EKF). In this paper, we present two simulations of filters for two different characteristics. Both filters estimate the characteristics of the natural landmarks, creating an environment map, but both of them consider different states of the vehicle. Results of the simulation are obtained. The features that are considered are an underwater pipe on the floor and a vertical wall. A control loop for the vehicle that provides the capacity to move along the feature/landmark from a reference distance is also discussed.
     Miguel Armando Migueis Pinto, from the city of Porto in Portugal is a 23 year old PhD student with a research area in Autonomous Underwater and Surface Vehicles, navigation and control. His master’s degree is in Electrotechnical and Computers Engineering.

Shanshan Ren – University of Southern Mississippi
     “Using Qdot conjugations to detect proteins in situ in highly autofluorescent cyanobacterial cells”
     Abstract: Due to the low photostability of conventional organic fluorophores, their effectiveness in detecting proteins in highly autofluorescent cyanobacterial cells is limited. However, the inorganic fluorescent nanocrystal (Quantum Dot or Qdot) conjugates have the capability to overcome the limitation of organic fluorophores, and provide a promising tool for long-term imaging studies. In this study, we applied Qdot conjugated secondary antibodies associated with specific primary antibodies, and successfully detected nitrogenase and IdiA proteins in situ in highly autofluorescent cyanobacterial cells of the unicellular Crocosphaera watsonii (WH8501) and the non-heterocystous Trichodesmium erythraeum (IMS101).

David Rosenfield – University of Southern Mississippi
     “Using Acoustic Tomography to Monitor Deep Ocean Currents in the Eastern Gulf of Mexico”
     Abstract: Toward the improved prediction and monitoring of deep-water currents and eddies in the Gulf of Mexico, the Gulf Eddy Monitoring System group (GEMS; researchers from University of Southern Mississippi, University of New Orleans, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, and the Naval Research Laboratory) proposes that a network of acoustic transmitterreceiver pairs be deployed in the northeastern Gulf of Mexico. Acoustic travel times are inverted to recover temperature and velocity between transmitter-receiver pairs. This data can be fed into ocean dynamical models to improve simulation and prediction of the circulation in the deep ocean. While a proven technique, it has only recently been used successfully in deeper waters. The location is ideal for this type of tomographic application for its predictable oceanic parameters and convenient geomorphology. With a sound-channel axis at about 900 m, a lower power output transmission is required, thus providing negligible impact on marine mammals. Because no other technology can be used to monitor for similar events, we are introducing this method to the marine technology community.

Patrick Rynne – Florida Atlantic University
     “Visual-Based Navigation of an Autonomous Tugboat”
     Abstract: This paper presents the work of a team of undergraduate and graduate students at Florida Atlantic University (FAU) who compete in the annual Autonomous Surface Vehicle (ASV) competition held by the Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI). The theoretical concept of the vehicle, the design modification and fabrication process, and the results of both preliminary testing and the final competition are presented. The initial configuration of a stereoscopic vision system and navigation algorithm is explored through testing in a controlled environment. With this approach, the vehicle is shown to be capable of navigating precisely through various courses of colored buoys; approximately 25% of the attempts results in successful navigation of all buoy pairs while 75% of the attempts result in successful navigation of half the buoy pairs or more.

Shivakumar Shivarudrappa – University of Southern Mississippi
     “Benthic Community Response to Hypoxia: Baseline Data”
     Abstract: World wide more than 400 aquatic systems are hypoxic, affecting an area of more than 245,000 square kilometers. The hypoxic area in Gulf of Mexico is the second largest in the world next to the Baltic Sea basin. In the northern Gulf of Mexico hypoxia is a phenomenon which occurs when the seasonal thermohaline stratification in the water column develops. Under normoxic or hypoxic conditions benthic organisms affect the physicochemical properties of sediment by their usual biological activity such as feeding, locomotion, and burrowing. According to the Pearson-Rosenberg model, changes in the benthos due to hypoxia occur at the community level of organization, with the pioneering community having different biological behavior than the equilibrium community, which normally exists without hypoxic stress. These changes as a response to low oxygen include numerical density, species diversity, organism size, depth of bioturbation, and number of functional groups – all factors which ultimately can affect the physicochemical properties of sediment. Thus, to some extent there may be a feedback mechanism that conditions the sediment properties for the particular type of benthic community. The types of sediment properties that can affect the density and diversity of benthos include grain size distribution, bulk density, and concentration of organic matter. To study these changes, macrobenthos and sediment samples were collected from the northern Gulf of Mexico between the Atchafalaya and Mississippi Rivers. Four provinces were chosen based on the frequency of occurrence of hypoxic events for a comparison between pre-hypoxic conditions in early spring and hypoxic conditions in late summer. The macrobenthos data will be compared with the sediment properties of grain size, organic matter concentration, sedimentation rate, and depth of the redox potential discontinuity to help explain the variability in the biological data among provinces. The macrobenthos data will be statistically analyzed for species richness using Hurlbert rarefaction curves that enable the calculation of the richness for a set number of species, organism sizes, bioturbation depths, and functional groups. The macrobenthos data will be correlated with sediment properties using the principal component analysis. These baseline data will be compared with similar data collected in September for assessing the effects of hypoxia on benthic community structure in the northern Gulf of Mexico.

Marcia Silva – Great Lakes Water Institute
     “Application of an automatic event-controlled sampler for biological analysis and monitoring: studies on plume tracking in Milwaukee Harbor, Wisconsin”
     Abstract: An automatic remote-controlled sampling system for biological analysis and monitoring is presented and its functionality described. In order to test the automatic sampler’s ability to reproduce standard manual sampling methods, several trials were performed. The automatic sampler allows event-triggered samplings. Time series of these events are presented and interpreted. Significant patterns of bacterial concentrations and sonde parameters are expected during heavy rainfall and CSO events. Comparison of samples from the automatic sampler and the manual samples collected at the south gap in Milwaukee Harbor showed the same results for samples analyzed the day of collection as for those that were stored at the bottom of the lake.
     Marcia Silva is a Research Assistant at the Great Lakes WATER Institute. She received her BS in Food Engineering from the University of the Sinos Valley (UNISINOS) in Brazil and her MS in Civil Engineering from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA. She is currently pursuing her PhD in Civil Engineering at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. She is conducting research in a cross disciplinary project that combines Engineering and Microbiology & Environmental Health. Her Dissertation is entitled: “An Integrative Investigation of Sources, Fate and Transport of Bacteria in Milwaukee Coastal Beaches through Field Studies, Laboratory Experiments, and Modeling.” under supervision of Dr. Sandra McLellan and Dr. Hector Bravo. She has worked with the Great Lakes WATER Institute for the past 6 years. Her research interests include coastal water quality, transport of bacteria and sediment transport.

Nina Stark – MARUM – University of Bremen
     “Geotechnical investigations of sandy seafloors using dynamic penetrometers”
     Abstract: Geotechnical in-situ characterization of the strength of the shallowest sub-seafloor sediment is an important factor in offshore engineering (e.g., scouring at wind energy plants), coastal engineering (e.g., sediment erosion close to the shores and beaches), navy applications (e.g., mine burial) and research (e.g., dunes in tide-affected areas). Dynamic penetrometers are well known as time- and cost-saving means to derive sediment physical properties in-situ and to detect layering or changes of strength of the shallow marine deposits. However, until now such instruments were rarely used on hard sandy seafloor because of their small penetration depth. The aim of this study is to unravel how applicable dynamic penetrometers are on sand and what kind of information they can deliver. Deceleration – depth signatures of the devices are used to compute quasi-static bearing capacity and related to governing parameters such as mineralogical composition, grain size distribution and sedimentary layering. We present the results of measurements on sand with two different types of dynamic penetrometers (FF-CPT and Nimrod) developed at MARUM (University of Bremen, Germany). The devices were operated with different penetration velocity, with different deploying technique and in variable sedimentary conditions. The parameters monitored during penetration are deceleration and tip resistance. Data analysis follows two approaches. First, we directly compared deceleration – depth profiles from both instruments to extract typical profiles for the different materials and to quantify areas of sediment remobilization. Second, dynamic bearing capacity is derived from the deceleration (Nimrod) and from the tip resistance (FF-CPT) respectively. Following an empirical approach (Dayal and Allen, 1975; Can. Geotech. J.) dynamic bearing capacity can be converted into quasi-static bearing capacity for a chosen threshold penetration velocity to consider the varying impact force and penetration rates of the devices. This allows a better comparison of different dynamic penetrometers to each other and to standard CPT records.
     Nina Stark is a geophysicist with focus on physical properties of the sea floor. After having designed the NIMROD (dynamic penetrometer to derive bearing capacity and shear strength of the sea floor) device, she investigates sea floor sediment remobilization owing to tides and currents (e.g., dunes), constructions and human impact (e.g., off-shore wind energy test farms, harbor development, dredging) by CPTU and NIMROD deployments.

Maria Stefanovich – Oregon State University
     “Wave energy and public opinion in Oregon, U.S.A.”
     Abstract: Countries have been developing renewable energies for quite some time now, and people are starting to think of them as being affordable, readily available, and good for the environment. The time has come to develop wave energy. Governments around the world are finally seeing the benefits of its unstoppable grace and power and are starting to account for it in their renewable energy portfolios. There is one huge potential problem, however, and that is “public acceptability”. Even though public acceptability is not a new phenomenon – it has often been encountered with new technologies and even new things there is one unique factor this time. It is the common space hugging the continents called the ocean. The traditional ocean uses, especially within three miles of the coastline in the U.S., do not include energy extraction. The question becomes how this new need for harnessing ocean power and turning it into electricity is going to fit within the existing array of ocean uses – fishing, recreation, transportation, aesthetics, and marine life conservation. The state of Oregon, U.S.A., has been identified as the most suitable place for wave energy development of all 23 coastal states in the United States [1]. Today, however, almost five years after the EPRI study was published, there is not a single commercial wave energy project in the waters off Oregon. Why? Does public opinion have anything to do with it? How should public opinion be interpreted? This study provides some insight and understanding about the determinants of public opinion with regard to renewable energy, the role these determinants play in public opinion formulation, and their relative importance in citizens’ support of or opposition toward wave energy development in Oregon. The findings of a statewide survey reveal that the typical respondent is supportive of wave energy development, even though s/he does not consider herself/himself well informed about renewable energy, and that s/he is least knowledgeable about wave energy of all renewable options. These results indicate that increased outreach efforts for wave energy are warranted; especially considering the fact that 83% of respondents believe it is “possible to increase energy supplies while protecting the environment at the same time”.

Dennis Waldron – Lafayette College, Pennsylvania
     “Underwater Optical Ranging: A Hybrid LIDAR-RADAR
     Abstract: Current systems designed for underwater ranging have limitations in how much range resolution and accuracy they can provide under certain conditions. Recognizing this short-coming, optical techniques for underwater ranging are being investigated. These optical systems can provide much greater resolution and accuracy in their measurements than existing systems, theoretically on the order of centimeters, or even sub-centimeter, depending on the configuration. Additionally, they can provide refresh rates on the order of mega-hertz, as the system depends on the propagation speed of light instead of sound.
     We applied the idea of a hybrid LIDAR-RADAR system to optical ranging in order to attempt centimeter-type range accuracy over the distance of meters with high range resolution. This would be a vast improvement over existing systems, optical or otherwise, at short ranges.
     We also investigated environmental concerns. Traveling through a medium such as water, an optical signal will attenuate exponentially because of absorption and scattering. Using an optical wavelength in the near-infrared (NIR) region helped to harden our system against the effects of changing turbidity levels of the water, but at the cost of not being able to range as far in clean water as we could with visible, especially blue-green, wave-lengths. This is because NIR wavelengths absorb very quickly in even clean water, but are much less affected by scattering than shorter, visible, wavelengths.
     Dennis L. Waldron III is a senior at Lafayette College in Easton, PA., where he is majoring in Electrical and Computer Engineering. At Lafayette College, he is the President of the student chapter of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), which he has pushed to begin various academic and community service projects around Easton to promote engineering among youths. Among other places he calls home is Germany, where he studied for one semester as part of a foreign exchange program at Jacob’s University in Bremen, an international English speaking university. Since the summer of 2007, Dennis has been an intern at NAVAIR’s Patuxent River, MD Naval Air Station facility, in the EO and Special Mission Sensors department. His projects in the past have included work on underwater optical communications and imaging. During his free time, Dennis enjoys cooking and grilling; tinkering with computers; traveling; and various “high adventure” activities such as hiking, rafting, camping, SCUBA diving, and sky-diving.

Baoju Wu – Shenyand Institute of Automation, CAS, China*

First place winner Dennis Waldron with Student Activities Coordinator Norm Miller.

     “ARC Navigation and Control System at Arctic Research”
     Abstract: ARV is a new concept unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV) which has both the characteristics of autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) and that of remote operated underwater vehicle (ROV). It is a hybrid ROV/AUV. ARV can cruise at a range of 3 km at the speed of 3 kn, in a depth shallower than 500 meters. At the attractive point the vehicle can be operated as a ROV with the ability of dynamic positioning. The vehicle has a Fiber Optic Micro Cable (FOMC) system with the length of 5 km for transferring image and other payload sensors’ data in real time. The payload segment is a reconfigurable module that can be changed according to different scientific related missions. ARV was used in China’s third Arctic expedition in 2008.
     The posters were judged by the judging team on Tuesday and Wednesday morning. The scores were collected and Prof. Howden and Mr. Miller reviewed the results. The students selected to receive the awards were:
     1st Place –      Dennis Waldron
     2nd Place –    Virgilio Maisonet
                            Ruth Mullins
     3rd Place –     Justin Lorio
                            Allison Penko
                            Patrick Rynne
     Each student received a round of applause as they received their award. Once again the quality of the poster presentations was out standing and the research work covered a wide spectrum. All of the students expressed their appreciation for being invited to the Conference and made good use of their time to attend sessions and view the exhibits as well as being at their posters at the appointed times.
     *Students not able to attend the Conference, but submitted their posters for display.
     ** Student on a rescheduled research cruise and was not able to attend.