Development of a Micro-glider for Oceanographic Air-Sea Interaction Sampling

This proposal is a collaborative effort between MRV Systems and the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, with additional support from RBR Global and Rockland Scientific. The goal is to develop a new, small, inexpensive autonomous vehicle to investigate mixed layer dynamics and turbulent mixing. The preliminary Phase I design, a Diagonally Operating Platform (DOP), is a profiling float with moveable fins. DOP will turn toward an intended direction within a few meters, be capable of making hydrographic, turbulence, and solar irradiance observations from the air-sea interface to several hundred meters. DOP costs 4-6 times less than a glider and costs the same as an Argo float. DOP vertical velocity is greater than gliders or floats, thus producing true vertical profiles. DOP represents an efficient single solution for stated objectives in this proposal. Onboard sensors include CTD, microstructure temperature and velocity shear probes, multi-band radiometer, 3-axis accelerometer, compass, GPS, and Iridium transceiver. We are confident the DOP will better match the three technical objectives of the STTR topic. Assuming earlier success, in Phase II, prototype vehicles would be manufactured and fully vetted in both laboratory and tank tests. MRV Systems existing technologies specialize in low-cost, fully capable underwater vehicles.