Project MARS (Marine Acoustic Recording System)

Researcher(s)

  • Thomas Mullenberg, Electrical Engineering, University of Delaware
  • Kirin Stevens, Electrical Engineering, University of Delaware
  • Ian Wilt, Electrical Engineering, University of Delaware

Faculty Mentor(s)

  • Mohsen Baidey, Electrical & Computer Engineering, University of Delaware

Abstract

Throughout the entire planet the ocean contains the most uncharted areas and is the most difficult environment for human technology to interface with. To overcome these challenges more information needs to be collected from these environments. This is the purpose of project MARS (Marine Acoustic Recording System). A device designed to collect various types of data, such as salinity, temperature, and sound, from under the water surface for several days. These devices can be placed at equally spaced intervals along a vertical mooring line to create an array that collects data at distinct depths. Several of these arrays can be arranged into a grid pattern to create a 3D space where the project MARS devices can collect vast amounts of data. This data can later be analyzed to see how different features in the ocean affect how sound travels, reflects, and refracts in varying conditions. With this information new technology can be designed to better interface with the planet’s oceans and bodies of water.