Microsystems Technology for Underwater Vehicle Applications

The aim of this thesis work has been to investigate how miniaturization, such as microsystems technology, can potentially increase the scientific throughput in exploration of hard-to-reach underwater environments, such as the subglacial lakes of Antarctica, or other challenging environments, includi...

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Main Author: Jonsson, Jonas
Format: Doctoral Thesis
Language:English
Published: Uppsala universitet, Ångström Space Technology Centre (ÅSTC) 2012
Subjects:
CTD
Online Access:http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:uu:diva-171742
http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:isbn:978-91-554-8323-4
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spelling ndltd-UPSALLA1-oai-DiVA.org-uu-1717422013-02-20T15:58:21ZMicrosystems Technology for Underwater Vehicle ApplicationsengJonsson, JonasUppsala universitet, Ångström Space Technology Centre (ÅSTC)Uppsala2012AquaticSubmersibleUnderwaterMicroMiniaturizedSonarSidescanTopographyLaserDiffractiveOpticsSamplerParticleMicroorganismAcousticEnrichingConductivityTemperatureDepthCTDFlowThe aim of this thesis work has been to investigate how miniaturization, such as microsystems technology, can potentially increase the scientific throughput in exploration of hard-to-reach underwater environments, such as the subglacial lakes of Antarctica, or other challenging environments, including cave systems and wrecks. A number of instruments and subsystems applicable to miniature submersibles have been developed and studied, and their potential to provide a high functionality density for size-restricted exploration platforms has been assessed. To provide an onboard camera system with measurement capabilities, simulation and design tools for diffractive optics were developed, and microoptics realized to project reference patterns onto objects to reveal their topography. The influence of murky water on the measurement accuracy was also studied. For longer-range mapping of the surroundings, and under conditions with even less visibility, the performance of a very small, high-frequency side-scanning sonar was investigated using extensive modeling and physical testing. In particular, the interference on the acoustic beam from tight mounting in a hull was investigated. A range in excess of 30 m and centimeter resolution were obtained. Besides these systems, which can be used to navigate and map environments, a two-dimensional, thermal sensor for minute flows was developed. Measuring speed and direction of water flows, this sensor can aid in the general classification of the environment and also monitor the submersible’s movement. As the flow of waters in subglacial lakes is estimated to be minute, the detection limit and sensitivity were investigated. Measurements of water properties are facilitated by the chip-based conductivity, temperature, and depth sensor system developed. Macroscopically, this is an essential oceanographic instrument with which salinity is determined. Contrary to what was expected, MHz frequencies proved to be advantageous for conductivity measurements. Finally, sampling of water using an acoustically enriching microdevice, and even enabling return of pristine samples via the use of integrated latchable, high-pressure valves, was realized and evaluated. Particularly, investigations of the device’s ability to capture and hold on to microorganisms, were conducted. Further developed and studied, these devices – as subsystems to miniature submersibles, or as stand-alone instruments – should enable exploration of previously unreachable submerged environments. Deeper Access, Deeper Understanding (DADU)Doctoral thesis, comprehensive summaryinfo:eu-repo/semantics/doctoralThesistexthttp://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:uu:diva-171742urn:isbn:978-91-554-8323-4Digital Comprehensive Summaries of Uppsala Dissertations from the Faculty of Science and Technology, 1651-6214 ; 914application/pdfinfo:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
collection NDLTD
language English
format Doctoral Thesis
sources NDLTD
topic Aquatic
Submersible
Underwater
Micro
Miniaturized
Sonar
Sidescan
Topography
Laser
Diffractive
Optics
Sampler
Particle
Microorganism
Acoustic
Enriching
Conductivity
Temperature
Depth
CTD
Flow
spellingShingle Aquatic
Submersible
Underwater
Micro
Miniaturized
Sonar
Sidescan
Topography
Laser
Diffractive
Optics
Sampler
Particle
Microorganism
Acoustic
Enriching
Conductivity
Temperature
Depth
CTD
Flow
Jonsson, Jonas
Microsystems Technology for Underwater Vehicle Applications
description The aim of this thesis work has been to investigate how miniaturization, such as microsystems technology, can potentially increase the scientific throughput in exploration of hard-to-reach underwater environments, such as the subglacial lakes of Antarctica, or other challenging environments, including cave systems and wrecks. A number of instruments and subsystems applicable to miniature submersibles have been developed and studied, and their potential to provide a high functionality density for size-restricted exploration platforms has been assessed. To provide an onboard camera system with measurement capabilities, simulation and design tools for diffractive optics were developed, and microoptics realized to project reference patterns onto objects to reveal their topography. The influence of murky water on the measurement accuracy was also studied. For longer-range mapping of the surroundings, and under conditions with even less visibility, the performance of a very small, high-frequency side-scanning sonar was investigated using extensive modeling and physical testing. In particular, the interference on the acoustic beam from tight mounting in a hull was investigated. A range in excess of 30 m and centimeter resolution were obtained. Besides these systems, which can be used to navigate and map environments, a two-dimensional, thermal sensor for minute flows was developed. Measuring speed and direction of water flows, this sensor can aid in the general classification of the environment and also monitor the submersible’s movement. As the flow of waters in subglacial lakes is estimated to be minute, the detection limit and sensitivity were investigated. Measurements of water properties are facilitated by the chip-based conductivity, temperature, and depth sensor system developed. Macroscopically, this is an essential oceanographic instrument with which salinity is determined. Contrary to what was expected, MHz frequencies proved to be advantageous for conductivity measurements. Finally, sampling of water using an acoustically enriching microdevice, and even enabling return of pristine samples via the use of integrated latchable, high-pressure valves, was realized and evaluated. Particularly, investigations of the device’s ability to capture and hold on to microorganisms, were conducted. Further developed and studied, these devices – as subsystems to miniature submersibles, or as stand-alone instruments – should enable exploration of previously unreachable submerged environments. === Deeper Access, Deeper Understanding (DADU)
author Jonsson, Jonas
author_facet Jonsson, Jonas
author_sort Jonsson, Jonas
title Microsystems Technology for Underwater Vehicle Applications
title_short Microsystems Technology for Underwater Vehicle Applications
title_full Microsystems Technology for Underwater Vehicle Applications
title_fullStr Microsystems Technology for Underwater Vehicle Applications
title_full_unstemmed Microsystems Technology for Underwater Vehicle Applications
title_sort microsystems technology for underwater vehicle applications
publisher Uppsala universitet, Ångström Space Technology Centre (ÅSTC)
publishDate 2012
url http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:uu:diva-171742
http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:isbn:978-91-554-8323-4
work_keys_str_mv AT jonssonjonas microsystemstechnologyforunderwatervehicleapplications
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