Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Session 4 Discussion Notes, Ocean Waves Workshop 2017

Ocean Waves Workshop

No abstract provided.

Overview Of Open Source Codes To Assess Environmental Effects On Ocean Wave Farms, Chris Chartrand, Kelley Ruehl, Jesse Roberts, Sam Mcwilliams, Kaus Raghukumar, Aaron Porter, Cameron Mcnatt

Ocean Waves Workshop

The development of SNL-SWAN by Sandia National Laboratories (SNL) allows users to investigate the interaction between a WEC or WEC array and the wave environment. SNL-SWAN when coupled with a hydrodynamic and sediment transport model such as Delft3D, developed by Deltares Inc, allows for the direct investigation of WEC array effects on the physical environment (e.g. waves, currents, seabed) and the associated site ecology. Ongoing development of these tools has shown how the coupling of SNL-SWAN with Delft3D-Flow can quantify the interaction between device(s) and the hydrodynamic environment at a real-world site.

Wave-Measuring Performance Characteristics Of Spoondrift Spotter, K. Raghukumar, G. Chang, F. Spada, C. Jones, W. Gans, T. Janssen

Ocean Waves Workshop

Spoondrift Spotter represents a state-of-the-art wave measurement buoy developed by Spoondrift (www.spoondrift.co) and supported by funding from the Advanced Research Projects Agency – Energy (ARPA-E). A low-cost buoy platform like Spotter enables a range of new applications. For instance, coherent arrays of Spotters can support adaptive tuning of marine and hydrokinetic energy devices. In general, the availability of high-fidelity wave measurements can help support wave assessments for a variety of commercial, military, operational, academic, and recreational users.

Wave Energy Converter Effects On The Nearshore Environment, Grace Chang, Craig Jones, Jason Magalen, Jesse Roberts

Ocean Waves Workshop

This poster presents efforts to use predictive modeling tools to evaluate the impacts of Wave Energy Converter (WEC) arrays on nearshore processes, investigate effects of different WEC devices on wave propagation, examine wave propagation in the lee of a WEC array over different wave conditions, and accelerate the realization of commercial-scale wave power.

Session 4 Presentation - Improved Coastal And Nearshore Wave Forecasting, Jeffrey Hanson, Robert Fratantonio

Ocean Waves Workshop

Accurate nearshore and coastal wave forecasts are essential for the protection of life and property as well as enhancing the economy through safe and efficient commercial activities. Modeling the nearshore environment has remained both computationally intensive and challenging due to the strong interaction of waves with the ocean bottom in shallow water environments. Here we develop a new wave system approach for nearshore wave modeling that addresses these issues. Wave systems result from specific wind forcing events on the ocean surface. This approach extends earlier work on wave system partitioning and tracking to assimilate coastal buoy observations into model output …

Session 3 Discussion Notes, Ocean Waves Workshop 2017

Ocean Waves Workshop

No abstract provided.

Real-Time Wave Assimilation Using Low-Cost Sensor Arrays (Extended Abstract), Pieter Smit, Tim Janssen, Cameron Dunning, Wheeler Grans

Ocean Waves Workshop

In this paper we present the underlying theory and principal results from a new real-time data-assimilation system in which we integrate a dense network of Spotters. The sensor network was deployed as part of the ONR Innershelf DRI experiment during the period from September 2017 till November 2017. The array consists of 18 Spotters, deployed seaward of Point Sal (California) along the 20-, 50- and 100-meter depth contours (Fig. 1). Each of these buoys provides estimates of the complete frequency-directional spectrum every hour. The wave spectra and directional moments are assimilated in real-time using an efficient backward raytracing algorithm to …

Session 3 Presentation - An Overview Of Recent Wave Glider® Field Program, Pat Fitzpatrick, Yee Lau, Robert Moorhead, Adam Skarke, Daniel Merritt, Keith Kreider, Chris Brown, Ryan Carlon, Graham Hine, Teri Lampoudi, Alan Leonardi

Ocean Waves Workshop

Developed by Liquid Robotics, Inc., Wave Gliders® (WGs) use wave energy for propulsion through the synergistic alternating thrust of wave action on the floating vehicle and mechanical wings 6 m below the vehicle. WGs provide dynamic environmental monitoring in the maritime environment with weeks-tomonths-long deployments using solar panels to power sensors, and satellite and cell communication channels for data delivery. Some data is transmitted real-time or in bulk at more infrequent intervals, while other data is archived on-board for extraction after a mission.

Example field programs include: wave, ocean, and PBL measurements in tropical cyclones; algae bloom monitoring; satellite ground …

Session 2 Discussion Notes, Ocean Waves Workshop 2017

Ocean Waves Workshop

No abstract provided.

Overview Of Open Source Codes To Assess Environmental Effects Of Ocean Wave Farms (Extended Abstract), Chris Chartrand, Kelley Ruehl, Jesse Roberts, Aaron Porter, Cameron Mcnatt

Ocean Waves Workshop

The United States has a theoretical ocean wave energy resource potential of 1,594–2,640 TWh/year, enough to power between 143.5 and 237.6 million homes/year and contribute substantially to the United States’ energy portfolio [1]. However, wave energy converters (WECs) are currently in the early stages of research and development at low technology readiness levels. Open ocean deployment data is from demonstration-scale projects, not from utility-scale deployments. As a result, researchers, developers, and regulators rely heavily on numerical models to understand the environmental effects of wave farms.

Preliminary numerical studies have demonstrated that small-scale deployments of ~10 WECs or less have little …

Session 2 Presentation - A New Generation Of Spectral Wave Models, Don Resio, Dorukan Ardag, C. Reid Nichols

Ocean Waves Workshop

Over the last decade, considerable effort has been spent on the evaluation of operational wave models such as the WAM, WAVEWATCH III, and SWAN thirdgeneration (3G) model. Most recent effort has focused on a “wholistic” approach to model evaluation, rather than on related comparisons directly to physics-based processes. In such an approach, model coefficients are tuned to maximize the global fit to integrated wave parameters such as wave height, mean/peak period, mean direction and directional spreading [1]. However, these coefficients do not ensure a universal “best-fit” to observation. Also, comparisons to spectra are omitted from the model evaluations since they …

Session 1 Discussion Notes, Ocean Waves Workshop 2017

Ocean Waves Workshop

No abstract provided.

Session 1 Paper - Contemporary Expeditionary Warfare For Scientists And Engineers, C. Reid Nichols

Ocean Waves Workshop

Expeditionary forces from many countries have deployed to mitigate the effects of natural disasters and human conflicts. Approaches are usually linked to the nation’s maritime strategy. Expeditionary forces provide rapid response to man-made disruptions such as mass casualties by terrorists, vessel hijackings by pirates, murders by drug cartels, and nuclear accidents. Recent examples include Humanitarian Assistance/Disaster Response (HA/DR) and Non Combatant Evacuation Operations (NEO). HA/DR type missions have been planned and executed to mitigate the effects of catastrophic tropical cyclones, flooding, wild fires, and tsunami. NEO missions are focused on the evacuation of a nation’s citizens and other foreigners from …

A Modeling System For Integral Simulation Of Propagation Of Ocean Surge And Wave And Their Impinging On Coastal Structure (Extended Abstract), Ke Qu, Hansong Tang, Anil Agrawal

Ocean Waves Workshop

Now it has become necessary to develop our capability to directly simulate many emerging coastal ocean flow and wave problems. These flow problems present a common challenge to our modeling capability; they involve multiphysics phenomena spanning a vast range of spatial and temporal scales, however, so far essentially we have no methods and computer software to directly and integrally simulate these phenomena. Now it has become necessary for us to develop new capability to model them in efficient ways and high-fidelity. Towards this goal, we have developed a brand new, unprecedented modeling system that is able to directly evaluate many …

Session 1 Presentation - Use Of Offshore Energy Facilities As Deepwater Ocean Observing Platforms, Jeffrey Morin, Pak Leung, Ruth Mullins Perry, Eoin Howlett, Armen-Sjur Minassian, Rudy Poulos

Ocean Waves Workshop

Wave measurement is one of the major components for any ocean observation program, however, it is also the most challenging one due to its complexity. For Oil & Gas community, wave data is often used for platform stability calculation, operational decision making, structure fatigue analysis, and engineering design criteria.

Wavemaker Improvements At The University Of New Orleans Towing Tank, Ryan D. Thiel

Ocean Waves Workshop

No abstract provided.

Informing Responders Using Gis And Gps, Deidre Mccarthy

CHAR

Hurricane Katrina devastated the Gulf Coast in August 2005 and created the single largest disaster for cultural resources that the United States has witnessed since the inception of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) in 1966. Notably, the NHPA created the National Register of Historic Places, our nation’s catalog of important cultural resources. The NHPA also stipulates that any federal undertaking which may adversely affect National Register eligible resources be mitigated. For the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Katrina created the largest compliance project ever under Section 106 of the NHPA.

Although causing a great deal of damage, Katrina also …

Keynote Address: Climate Change: From Global To New York Scale, Christopher D. Thorncroft

CHAR

This talk is concerned with the science and impacts of climate change from global to New York scales. It will provide an assessment of how the climate has changed over the past Century based on a purely observational perspective. The scientific basis for anthroprogenic climate change will be explained and discussed including a description of the “greenhouse effect” and why it is important for life on this planet. We will briefly discuss global and local consequences of a warmer climate and what we need to be prepared for going forward in the coming decades.

Solar Eclipse Induced Atmospheric Turbulence Effects On High Altitude Balloons, Fnu Anamika, Denise Buckner, Peter Henson, Jennifer Fowler, Nanette Valentour

2017 Academic High Altitude Conference

The North Dakota Atmospheric Education Student Initiated Research (ND-AESIR) team launched a balloon during the total solar eclipse in Rexburg, Idaho. After the umbra’s passage, the balloon experienced unexpectedly high levels of atmospheric turbulence. Video footage taken from the payload displays the conditions, and analysis of flight path data models created from the iridium GPS confirm that unusually violent turbulence occurred. These forces caused the key rings holding the bottom of the parachute to the payload train to rip open; the balloon and parachute flew away and the payloads free fell to the surface from an altitude of 68,301 feet. …

Physoon - Radiation Detection In Various High Altitude Environments, Christopher Helmerich

2017 Academic High Altitude Conference

Physoon is a high altitude ballooning payload designed and built by members of the Space Hardware Club for the purpose of comparing cosmic and terrestrial radiation from a variety of environmental conditions, including clear days, night times, solar events (eclipses, solar flares, coronal mass ejections), and thunderstorms. Over three design iterations, Physoon has flown eleven times with various combinations of Geiger counters sensors: a low energy Alpha-Beta-Gamma detector, an unshielded high-energy Beta-Gamma detector, and a shielded high-energy Beta-Gamma detector. One of these iterations successfully recovered data from high altitude during totality of the Great American Solar Eclipse. Another iteration was …

Use And Implementation Of The Automatic Packet Reporting System (Aprs) On High Altitude Payloads., Sam Fink, Robert Moody, Carson Keeter, Cassandra Runyon, Cyndi Hall

2017 Academic High Altitude Conference

Once a weather balloon enters the uncontrollable realm of nature upon release it is subject to a high degree of freedom and flight path options. Passive tracking methods become essential to physically follow the trajectory, the balloon, and its payload. The Automatic Packet Reporting System (APRS) provides an ideal platform for tracking high-altitude and low earth orbit instrumentation because at zenith there is no radio horizon. Demonstrated aboard the International Space Station, this simple system provides the maximum tracking range at very low power and cost with very high accuracy, by utilizing existing federally funded infrastructure. An amateur radio license …

Eclipse Ballooning Stem Outreach For Elementary, Middle, And High School Education, Peter Henson, Fnu Anamika, Denise Buckner, Marissa Saad, Caitlin Nolby

2017 Academic High Altitude Conference

To promote Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education through ballooning, the North Dakota Space Grant Consortium (NDSGC) organizes an annual Near-Space Balloon Competition (NSBC) for students in grades 6 - 12. Students across the state of North Dakota have the opportunity to launch experiments into a near- space environment. The students learn how to write proposals, design payloads, and analyze data. They learn through an active, inquiry-based style that will prepare them for real-world engineering and critical thinking jobs. In 2016, NSBC proposed Great American Eclipse as the theme for the competition, thus the students were focused on designing …

Impactful Practice: Lessons Learned Through Ballooning Outreach, Tracy Knowles, Leandro Braga, Alex Eberle, Tom Busby, John Paul Beard, Jessica Glasscock, Jacolby Gardner, Matt Smither

2017 Academic High Altitude Conference

The goal of Bluegrass Community and Technical College’s (BCTC) Eclipse Outreach Ambassador Project was to get students across the Bluegrass excited and educated about the 2017 total solar eclipse. Several years ago the BalloonSat Project was started to provide hands-on earth and atmospheric science experiences to BCTC students. In linking the two initiatives, we allowed BCTC BalloonSat team members to continue learning to design, build, test, fly and retrieve balloon-borne payloads while using a novel method by which to engage local elementary and middle school students in learning more about and anticipating the upcoming eclipse. Eclipse practice flights carried payloads …

Placing A High-Altitude Balloon In The Path Of Totality, Nicholas Jordan, Christopher Helmerich

2017 Academic High Altitude Conference

The UAH Space Hardware Club had conducted 70 flights prior to the Eclipse. In this time, we have gained valuable skills and experience which we have put into practice and passed on through the years. We put these skills into practice for the Eclipse. Our first challenge was finding where to launch. We started out by looking for suitable locations inside totality. We also examined a map of totality at 80,000 ft. We then ran predictions based on past weather during that time of year. By compiling multiple past predictions, we eliminated possible launch sites. We had multiple payloads, some …

Additional Data Via Autonomous Systems To Supplement Traditional Sparse Sources For Weather Forecasting And Atmospheric Science, Suzanne Weaver Smith

Commonwealth Computational Summit

No abstract provided.

Effects Of Graphical Weather Information Versus Textual Weather Information On Situation Awareness In Meteorology, Stefan Melendez M.S.A., Andrew Dattel Ph.D., Christopher Herbster Ph.D., Debbie Schaum M.A., Andrey Babin

National Training Aircraft Symposium (NTAS)

Prior to a flight, pilots gather meteorological information in order to assess the weather conditions pertaining to their flight and to make decisions based on it. This information can come in various formats, such as text and graphical weather information. Research has shown that people have varying learning preferences and that most people prefer visual learning to verbal learning (i.e., graphical over text). It is hypothesized that this difference in learning preference can affect the way pilots interpret and apply the information they obtain prior to their flight. The researcher hypothesizes that graphical weather information has a greater, more positive …

Ocean Wind Speed Measurement Using Wideband Gnss-R Signals, Brandon J. Kozel, Han Zhang, James L. Garrison, Benjamin Nold

The Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) Symposium

The use of Global Navigation Satellite System-Reflectometry (GNSS-R) for remote sensing of ocean wind speeds has been explored for nearly two decades and has become an important passive remote sensing technique for verification of hurricane formation models. To obtain wind speed measurements, reflected GNSS signals are first cross-correlated with locally generated copies to construct delay-doppler maps (DDMs). Through statistical models, DDMs can provide information about the mean-square slope (MSS) of the ocean surface, which is related to wind speed. Previous studies have focused on legacy signals such as GPS L1. However, it is expected that the MSS relationship with ocean …

Using P-Band Signals Of Opportunity Radio Waves For Root Zone Soil Moisture Remote Sensing, Phillip H. Lipinski, Benjamin R. Nold, James L. Garrison

The Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) Symposium

Retrieval of Root Zone Soil Moisture (RZSM) is important for understanding the carbon cycle for use in climate change research as well as meteorology, hydrology, and precision agriculture studies. A current method of remote sensing, GNSS-R uses GPS signals to measure soil moisture content and vegetation biomass, but it is limited to 3-5 cm of soil penetration depth. Signals of Opportunity (SoOp) has emerged as an extension of GNSS-R remote sensing using communication signals. P-band communication signals (370 MHz) will be studied as an improved method of remote sensing of RZSM. P-band offers numerous advantages over GNSS-R, including stronger signal …

An Evaluation Of Gridded Temperature Products And Their Effectiveness In Modeling Small Scale Ambient Temperature, Barrie Chileen

Celebration of Learning

The use of gridded temperature products is becoming increasingly prevalent in ecological research due to their accessibility, low cost, and spatial and temporal coverage. While a few studies have compared gridded products against each other and against weather station data, little research exists that attempts to verify the accuracy of these gridded products on finer spatial scales in field settings. In this study, we use two networks of temperature sensors to evaluate the effectiveness of these widely used gridded products in modeling ambient temperatures and compare tradeoffs between spatial and temporal resolution of gridded products.

We deployed 65 temperature sensors …

Global Ranking Of U.S. Adults Concerned About Climate Change, Eric Marek

Undergraduate Research Conference

Even with a plethora of evidence and the vast majority of climate scientists supporting climate change, there remains a considerable amount of denial among the public. The purpose of this research is to examine where the United States stands in relation to other countries on the topic of climate change. The aspects explored include the history of climate change, the effects of climate change on the environment, science literacy and pseudoscience beliefs, opposition to climate change, the mitigation of climate change, as well as public opinion of climate change. This paper will include measures taken by governments and businesses to …