MEMS in Marine Science

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Abhinaw

Need for sensors in marine science

Sensing in marine environment maybe done for various reasons :

Oil exploration and related applications Global weather predictions Monitor water quality for any contamination Measure parameters detrimental to the health of structures in the sea ( like oil rigs and ships )
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Study of aquatic plants and animals

Parameters monitored in marine science

Temperature, pressure, light transmission, tidal and current velocity Dissolved gases (like oxygen), pH, metals, pesticides

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Seabed

Why measure these quantities after all ?

Water temperature effects a lot of processes directly viz. Solubility of substances in water Feeding and reproduction of aquatic organisms Also, waters ability to hold dissolved oxygen decreases as water temperature increases. Now, this is really crucial for aquatic life !!
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Importance of measuring light penetration

Indicates algal growth Indicates presence of silt in estuaries (confluence of river and the sea). Sediments if present in water in large amounts

May block sunlight to submerged plants carry pesticides and other pollutants

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Where are these MEMS devices attached ?

The MEMS devices, in marine sensing maybe attached to:

Ships Floating devices (buoys) in the sea Fixed sea structures (like oil rigs) Sea bed using links

http://www.oceanor.no/images/ocbuoys.gif

AUV ( Autonomous underwater vehicle )

AUVs are unmanned underwater vehicles for real time monitoring in the oceans. AUVs can be equipped with Lab on a Chip, a set of sensors developed on a single chip, using MEMS. These Lab on a Chip devices can sense a large number of chemical pollutants simultaneously.

AUV

http://isis2.admin.usf.edu/ur/usfmagazine/spring02/rip1.html

MEMS in oil exploration and related applications

To find potential oil reserves To detect oil leakage from pipelines In cases of unfortunate oil spills

MEMS sensors can help to sense information about the ocean currents. Using this it is possible to predict how far the oil slick will be transported. This information can aid in clean up.

http://www.spiderstaging.com/rigging/images/offshore_oil.jpg

Finding potential oil and gas reserves

MEMS geophones and accelerometers can sense the vibrations sent up from the earths belly.

MEMS Accelerometer

An array of MEMS geophones are planted over a wide area on the seabed.

Vibrations are intentionally produced on the ground surface using some techniques.

The MEMS devices measure the reflection of these waves from different layers in the earths belly.

These readings are then used to create a

Role of MEMS in coastal weather monitoring

MEMS sensors can provide vital information about wave pressure, temperature, tidal and current velocity (using devices like the MEMS Doppler current profiler). The information obtained can be used to develop maps indicating the distribution of these parameters throughout the ocean. These maps can provide accurate data, regarding any imminent sea storms, tsunamis (large sea waves caused due to large scale movements 4/19/12 the earths surface). inside

Hydrophones

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Just as microphones collect sounds in air, hydrophones are small devices that detect sounds in water. The sources of sounds in water maybe ships, earthquakes, waves or marine animals.

Digital mammal tags

These are tiny devices attached to animals like whales, sharks, dolphins etc.. Provides vital data about the animal and its surroundings A tag houses

Pressure sensor(s) Temperature sensor(s) Hydrophone (sound

MEMS in marine military operations

An array of MEMS sensors spread on the ocean floor could detect the presence of enemy submarines. MEMS sensors (pressure sensors, accelerometers etc.) are being used in anti-torpedo weapons on submarines and ships.

MEMS sensors in torpedoes are responsible for

Detonating the torpedo at the right time Hitting the target in a crowded environment

Challenges for MEMS sensors in marine environment

Complex nature of marine environment Fouling of sensor surfaces Selecting one out of several species Should be able to detect extremely low levels of chemical concentrations Resist drifting along with the currents

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Future of MEMS in marine science

MEMS promises to be an effective technique of producing marine sensors of high quality, at lower costs. The use of fiber optics in marine science offers several avenues in fabrication and packaging of sensors. The use of sensor dust in the oceans in the coming years, would be the best that this technology could 4/19/12 offer.


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Thanks for Listening