Miniaturized Chemical Oceanographic Instrumentation

Research is proposed for the feasibility demonstration and concept design of miniaturized chemical oceanographic instrumentation based upon silicon micromachined components. This proposed development is expected to result in miniature, automated, instrumentation with broad chemical analysis capabilities and near real-time response This new instrumentation will have the capability to perform research studies to resolve key issues surrounding important chemicals in the marine environment such as dimethylsulfide (DMS), a key precursor leading to cloud condensation nuclei. The proposed Phase I effort takes state-of-the-art developments in micromachined chemical instrument components and demonstrates the feasibility of miniature oceanographic instrumentation based upon these components. The resulting instrumentation is expected to provide new capabilities for collecting oceanographic data with improved temporal and spatial scales, especially when coupled to UAVs and UUVS, and improved productivity in data collection. The instrumentation will also be capable of automated, unattended operation from buoys, moorings, and "ships-of-opportunity."