Abstract 2010 summer
The Spectral Reflectance of Ship wakes between 400 and 900 nm

The objective of this research is to define the spectral reflectance characteristics of ship wakes at high spatial and spectral resolution, for the purposes of identifying maritime traffic using optical remote sensing data. The Hyperspectral Imager of the Coastal Ocean (HICO) was flown over the Hawaiian coast in April 2010. Hyperspectral images of the wake produced by the United States Coast Guard vessel, Kittiwake, traveling at speeds of 7, 14, and 21 knots were acquired. Analysis of the spectral reflectance data reveals a) that the spectral reflectance of the wake is distinct from that of background (i.e. deep ocean and sun-glint), and b) that systematic differences in the spectral reflectance properties of the wake, both along and across its long axis, as a function of vessel speed. Statistical analysis of the data indicate that the reflectance properties of the wake are significantly different to the ambient background but that the degree of difference decreases exponentially as spatial resolution increases. These results provides insights into how similar instruments operating from low Earth orbit can be expected successfully detect the presence of ships on the basis of the wake they produce.

Abstract 2009
Artificial Intelligence: Navigating Polygonal Obstacles Using Searching Techniques

The project used artificial intelligence searching techniques to find a path around polygonal obstacles on a plane. The solution was based on both non-informed and informed algorithms. The algorithms are compared and contrasted. Each of these algorithms will work on the problem represented in terms of states and transitions between them. The algorithms then find a path to a goal state by choosing one segment at a time. Java programming was used to implement the algorithms and present the solution in a graphical user interface.

Abstract 2008-2009 Oceanography Team
http://nia.ecsu.edu/ur/0809/teams/ocean/index.html
Spectral absorpation coefficients of living phytoplankton and nonalgal biogenous matter: A comparison between the Peru upwelling area and the Albarmare Sound

The optical properties of seawater can be classified into two categories: apparent and inherent optical properties. While inherent optical properties (IOP) depend only on water, its dissolved and particulate components, apparent optical properties (AOP) depend on both IOP and environmental light field. Consequently, the determination of IOP of aquatic environment is essential for characterizing both seawater components and underwater light fields. Additionally, IOP of seawater determines remote sensing reflectance and it is an important factor for developing and calibration of remote sensing algorithms. Albemarle Sound is a coastal environment with a unique colored dissolved organic matter (CDOM) and particulates that are poorly documented. Specifically, the spatial variation of the concentrations of CDOM and particulates and their bio-optical properties are poorly known. We have conducted a field sampling and laboratory study of water samples of Albemarle Sound. Specifically, we have: (1). conducted vertical profiles of temperature, salinity and dissolved oxygen at selected stations along a transect from Elizabeth City to the Real-Time Albemarle Sound Observing Station; (2). collected surface water samples along the transect for studying the bio-optical properties; (3). determined the absorption spectrum of CDOM and particulate material; (4) compared the absorption spectrums of Albemarle Sound samples to that of from other regions.

Abstract- 2008 Polar Grid Team
http://nia.ecsu.edu/ureomps2008/team-portal/index.html
Designing and Developing a Portal for the Polar Grid High Performance Computing System

Polar Grid is a National Science Foundation (NSF) Major Research Instrumentation (MRI) program funded partnership of Indiana University (IU) and Elizabeth City State University (ECSU) to acquire and deploy the computing infrastructure needed to investigate the urgent problems in glacial melting. The grid will be comprised of ruggedized laptops and computer clusters deployed in the field in the Polar Regions and two large scale computing clusters for detailed analysis in the U.S. – one to be installed at IU, and the other at ECSU. This installation will give ECSU a 5 Teraflop MSI High performance computing system, building on its distance education and undergraduate laboratory infrastructure to create tremendous outreach capabilities.

Accessing this computing cluster will entail the development of a grid portal to provide security, access to data, and the ability to process data along with education and outreach functions. Development of this portal will start with the documentation of terms, processes and software needed to develop a portal and understand what the grid is. The project will then progress to producing XML page structures to display processed data acquired during expeditions in Greenland and Antarctica. Another aspect will be the development of “IGoogle Gadgets” simulating the portal user environment and the process of converting that gadget into an RSS feed.

Abstract – 2007-2008 Multimedia Team
http://nia.ecsu.edu/ur/0708/teams/mmt/index.html
Redesign and Upgrade of the CERSER Website and Digital Image Library

The Center of Excellence in Remote Sensing Education and Research (CERSER) on the campus of Elizabeth City State University is currently tasked with the responsibility of receiving remotely sensed Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR) and Sea Wide Field-of-View Sensor (SeaWiFS) data for research projects year round. This data is collected, processed, annotated, and transformed into images in the Tagged Image File Format (tiff). These tiff images are then uploaded to the CERSER archive library server located at http://cerser.ecsu.edu. Once uploaded, they are converted into various resolutions and their information is added to a tracking database maintained with Microsoft Access software. This database provides a searchable means for retrieving satellite image data through various parameters.

The current site and database architecture were developed in 2003 and modified in 2005. New capabilities and site requirements necessitated a redesign of the current site to include a more logical navigation scheme and flexibility to expand as needed. The image database required an update of the over four thousand images, many of which were corrupted or missing information. The database also required the implementation of product categories such as AVHRR color images, SeaWiFS chlorophyll images, and SeaWiFS sea surface temperature, as new satellite licenses have been acquired.