Successful applications to the SBRI funding round within RAPID: Project Abstracts

Andrew Linton, PDZ Europa Ltd

UV laser ablation stable isotope mass spectrometry offer established means for high-resolution sampling and isotope analysis across a wide range of palaeoapplications. At present, no commercially available platform exists interfacing these technologies. We will develop and evaluate a fully integrated combustion/pyrolysis interface for UV-laser ablation (CHNO) stable isotope analysis. The proposed prototype is commercially desirable and offers essentially non-destructive sampling with spatial resolution approaching that of the ion probe. The interface will permit further exploration of new/existing marine and terrestrial archives and through greater efficiency and replication improve the confidence with which we can interpret these data.

Dr Mark Inall, SAMS Research Services Ltd (SRSL)

A new generation of instruments is needed by the global oceanographic community to help understand and predict climate change. We propose to develop a turbulence sensor package for autonomous profiling vehicles that exploit recent advances in sensor, processor, and telecommunication technology. Of interest to RAPID will be thee autonomous capture and transmission of full-depth turbulence parameter profiles. Packages will be developed for two platforms; (i) un-tethered buoyancy engines (ARGO-floats), (ii) the seabed-resident platform 'HOMER' (a partner bid from SRSL).Technology demonstrators will be developed and proven as precursors to commercial products.

Dr John M. (Ian) Vassie, SAMS Research Services Ltd

The major scientific handicap to progressing our understanding of the ocean and its role in climate change is the lack of repeated, continuous observations of the ocean interior. The project outlined in this proposal is to undertake further development leading to the commercial production of a deep-water, seabed mounted, vertical profiling system (HOMER). There is widespread interest in such an instrument, as it offers affordable Eulerian measurements of the water-mass. To date there have been expressions of interest for 53 such instruments. Much of the project's relevance is to the RAPID thematic programme, but the wider European marine community has also shown considerable interest. It is estimated that the global market may be larger by a factor of 20-50. It is recognised that the only means of satisfying such demand is via a commercial route.

Helen Cussen, Trident Sensors

This project aims to develop modular subsystems leading to a new profiling float for monitoring thermohaline circulation that will equal or better the specifications set out by the Argo Science Team (1999). Namely to:

• measure CTD on ascent, every 5m at depths >500m and 2m in the top 500m
• cycle >100 times over 4-5 years
• be at the surface for <30mins
• transmit 2kbytes of compressed data per profile
• use <10% of the energy budget (<1kJ) for satellite communications.

To these can be added:

• 2-way communications
• increased depth capability (to monitor sensor drift using deep T/S)
• greater reliability

To meet these aims, Trident Sensors will:

• base the R&D around the SOLO float
• use a new, fast, high data volume, low cost transceiver for communications
• develop a 4000m float engine

The estimated float market value alone is £40M to £80M to 2007 of which 30% is a realistic target share.