Advancing Cave Exploration (ACE)
The DEEP-SWARM (Distributed Evolutionary Exploration and Pathfinding for Subsurface Worlds utilizing Autonomous Robotic Mapping) project is dedicated to advancing the robotic exploration of subterranean environments found on Earth. These environments hold immense science exploration potential, spanning geology, astrobiology, ecology, hydrology, medicine/infectious diseases, and energy exploration. The overall objectives are to compile detailed end-to-end maps of these cave environments, obtain knowledge about their dynamics, workings, and evolution, and provide insight into the roles of these subterranean environments in the broader Earth's ecosystem. These subterranean environments are primarily inaccessible and dangerous to humans and further necessitate developing and deploying specialized robotics integrated with advanced mission planning and even survival skills. The methodology will use machine learning to find innovative mission concepts and architectures that degrade gracefully instead of catastrophically due to single-point failure. The project aligns well with the Earth Dynamics Observatory's mission to address pressing Earth remote sensing and exploration challenges, ultimately establishing the University of Arizona as a leader in robotic cave exploration.
Project Members: Jekan Thanga (PI), Erik Asphaug (CoI), Sergey Shkarayev (CoI)
Department(s): Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering (lead), Electrical and Computer Engineering, Lunar and Planetary Laboratory.
Quantifying the similarities and differences in microphysical properties of low-level clouds and drizzle between ground-based and satellite measurements over the Southern Ocean.
This study aims to evaluate and quantify the similarities and differences in microphysical property retrievals between satellite-based (CloudSat CPR) and ground-based (MARCUS M-WACR) observations for marine boundary layer (MBL) clouds below 3 km over the Southern Ocean. The objective is to develop methodologies to reduce biases in MBL cloud detection and improve the accuracy of MBL cloud vertical and microphysical profiles. The study proposes a robust correction framework that can be applied to historical CloudSat data and future AOS-cloud missions. The proposed research will enhance the University of Arizona’s capability in satellite remote sensing of Earth sciences and strengthen its competitiveness for external proposals, such as NASA FINESST, CloudSat, PMM, and the upcoming AOS-Cloud mission.
Project Members: Baike Xi (Research Professor), Anik Das (Graduate Student)
Department: Department of Hydrology and Atmospheric Sciences
Suspended Sediment Measurement Using Satellite Images
This project aims to develop a machine learning (ML) model to estimate suspended sediment concentration (SSC) from Landsat or SWOT Satellite images. Preliminary findings indicate that the Gradient Boosting Machine (GBM) has provided the most accurate SSC predictions using laboratory experimental data. This innovative image-based SSC measurement approach has the potential to advance next-generation, image-based flow observation technologies.
Project Members: Jennifer G Duan (PI), Sathvik Reddy Nookala (MS Student)
Department: CAEM (Department of Civil and Architectural Engineering and Mechanics)
Neutral Point Monitoring for Determining Atmospheric Turbidity
Though Earth's atmosphere sits above our heads, you may not know that the sky is polarized. This means that not only does sunlight get absorbed and scattered, but it also has a preferential direction for the oscillation. We can leverage the knowledge of sky polarization to determine if there have been changes in the atmospheric turbidity. This research aims to develop a new paradigm for detecting wildfire smoke by monitoring discontinuities in the polarization signature of the sky, known as neutral points. Using ultraviolet polarimetric imaging, we track the Babinet neutral point across the sky dome with high spatial resolution. Unlike traditional satellite or ground-based methods, this approach offers passive, real-time detection without requiring a direct line of sight to smoke plumes. These measurements can potentially enhance early warning systems and public health advisories.
Project Members: Professor Meredith Kupinski, Clarissa M. DeLeon, PhD Candidate, Yukun Long, Master's Student
Department: Wyant College of Optical Sciences, Polarization Lab
Application of Light Sheet Microscopy to Atmospheric Aerosol Characterization
Our goal is to develop a novel imaging system that leverages light-sheet microscopy (LSM) and advanced image analysis to directly observe aerosol particles in situ. The system will capture high-resolution, high-speed images of particles as small as 0.5 microns, enabling detailed analysis of their size distribution and morphology. This technique offers a powerful alternative to traditional aerosol sensing methods, which often rely on assumptions about particle properties. The project lays the foundation for a field-ready instrument and future collaborations in atmospheric research.
Project Members: Matt Mavko, Dr. DK Kang, Nik Anderson, Momoka Sugimura, and Yong Jun Kim
Department: Wyant College of Optical Sciences
Tide Gauge and Satellite Observations of Sea Level Rise on the U.S. East and Gulf Coasts
The primary goal of this project is to systematically compare the tide gauge and altimetry data in terms of sea level rise along the U.S. East and Gulf Coasts. Various in situ and remote sensing datasets will be used. The comparison and integration of these datasets will lead to more robust and accurate quantification of the sea level rise rates.
Project Member: Jianjun Yin
Department: Geosciences
Proposal Title: Sailplanes for Emergency Response
In the proposed project, we aim to advance sailplane technologies for emergency response, including wildland fire monitoring and search and rescue operations. Based on the proposed and completed flight demonstrations, we will seek external funding from NASA's ARMD and NOAA.
Project Members: Adrien Bouskela (PHD student), Prof. Sergey Shkarayev, and Prof. Jekan Thanga
Department: AME
The Southern Arizona Aerosol Climatology (SoAZ-AC) project
The SoAZ-AC project will consist of analyzing and synthesizing multiple existing surface and remote-sensing datasets to provide a comprehensive modern aerosol climatology for southern Arizona. Our aim is to quantify the major sources and types of atmospheric aerosols across the region, describe their spatial variability, and determine their temporal changes (year-over-year, seasonal) using the most up-to-date data that reflects the region’s major on-going social and environmental changes. Leveraging the dense regional coverage of surface-based aerosol composition measurements, we will also compare how well reanalysis models and remotely-sensed aerosol properties describe those measured at ground level, providing key insights into the performance of satellite data for describing aerosol properties in southern Arizona.
Project Members: Ellis Robinson, Sylvia Sullivan, Avelino Arellano, Armin Sorooshian
Department: Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Department of Hydrology and Atmospheric Sciences
Contributing to ARID project to Advance Evapotranspiration Research in Drylands and Identifying Future Measurement Needs
This work aims to strengthen the University of Arizona’s (UA) capacity to accurately estimate actual evapotranspiration (ET) in dryland regions and make meaningful contributions to NASA’s Adaptation and Response in Dryland (ARID) project, which is expected to receive substantial funding. The research will focus on three main objectives: (1) Conduct a comprehensive review of ARID project goals and establish collaborations with participating scientists; (2) Improve our existing ET product, highlight its unique relevance to ARID’s mission, and define requirements for field campaign measurements; and (3) Utilize insights from our engagement with ARID to pursue major external funding opportunities.
Project Members: Ali Behrangi (1), Muhammad Jawad (1), Guo-Yue Niu (1), William K. Smith (2)
Departments:
- Department of Hydrology and Atmospheric Sciences, The University of Arizona
- School of Natural Resources and the Environment at the University of Arizona
Monitoring the Long-term Dynamics of Water Use and Ecohydrology of Dry Land Ecosystems in the U.S.-Mexico Transboundary Region
We aim to assess the long-term ecohydrology of the U.S.-Mexico border, where differing national policies on land cover, habitat protection, and ecological management hinder cross-border collaboration. Using vegetation indices (NDVI, EVI, EVI2) and evapotranspiration time series from Landsat (2000–2024), we will track trends in water use and plant productivity. We hypothesize that riparian corridors and the Sky Islands, key biodiversity hotspots, have declined due to increasing dry climate in the U.S. Southwest.
Project Members: Eduardo Jimenez-Hernandez, Kamel Didan and Armando Barreto-Muñoz.
Department: Biosystems Engineering.