Project Overview
Ocean Observation and Monitoring
Funded through an EU Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation grant, TechOceanS will develop nine innovative technologies and methods for deep sea sensing, sample collection and on-board analysis, and AI-driven image processing and transmission.
At A Glance
Programme
HORIZON 2020 (H2020-BG-2020-1)
Type of Action
Research and Innovation Action
Topic
The Future of Seas and Oceans Flagship Initiative
Duration
October 2020 – September 2024
Consortium
13 partners in 8 countries
Coordinator
National Oceanography Centre (NOC), UK
Total Budget
€8.9 Million
The Challenge
Ocean ecosystems are in a dire condition, with critical marine habitats destroyed, rising ocean acidity and oxygen depletion in key areas. To understand and protect these vital habitats, we need accurate and comprehensive measurements and data on the chemistry and biology of the oceans. TechOceanS will pioneer five new sensors, two imaging systems, a novel sampler and an Artificial Intelligence-driven image processing methodology, all capable of robust operations at depths beyond 2,000 metres.
Objectives
Create a step change in the capability of non-ship ocean observing systems to measure complex chemical and biological variables.
Develop new low-cost, mass-deployable sensor technologies and imaging techniques.
Minimise sensor size and power requirements, enabling their use on small platforms and allowing single platforms to host multiple systems.
Develop new low-cost and in situ sensors for aquaculture and fisheries including relevant chemical contaminants, biotoxins and environmental.
Develop new sensors to determine the distribution and fate of marine litter and microplastics.
Develop novel Artificial Intelligence (AI) based solutions for low-bandwidth, over-the-horizon communication.
Collaborate with external groups to further encourage the interoperable sharing of sensors, platforms and data.
Expected Impacts
TechOceanS will provide tangible benefits to those industries most directly reliant on the oceans, such as fisheries and aquaculture. These benefits will be achieved by contributing towards key components of the Blue Economy as described in international accords such as the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, the G7 Future of the Seas and Oceans Working Group, the Paris Climate Agreement, the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development and the EU Marine Strategy Framework Directive.
Developing new technologies for ocean sensing and environmental monitoring.
The new technologies developed in the project will enable the capture of vital, previously inaccessible data on the ocean’s biogeochemistry, biology and ecosystems.
Our WorkContact Us:
Project Coordinator:
matm@noc.ac.uk
Project Management Team:
techoceans@noc.ac.uk
Communications:
comms.techoceans@aquatt.ie
Follow Us:
This project has received funding from the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under Grant Agreement No 101000858 (TechOceanS). This output reflects only the author's view and the Research Executive Agency (REA) cannot be held responsible for any use that may be made of the information contained therein.
© 2020. All rights reserved.