Eager: calanoid: a modular, air-deployable ocean profiler

The National Science Foundation's Division of Ocean Sciences awarded the University of Washington a $195,406 project grant under the Geosciences program (CFDA 47.050) beginning September 1, 2025, to develop CALANOID, a modular, air-deployable ocean profiling float system. The primary deliverable is a low-cost, scalable ocean profiling platform designed to capture submesoscale ocean dynamics through dense, distributed in-situ observations. Key technological components include a compact piston-cylinder buoyancy engine for precise vertical profiling, the NanoCTD miniaturized solid-state conductivity-temperature-depth sensor, and integrated low-cost Microelectromechanical Systems (MEMS)-based temperature and pressure sensors. The system will meet stringent performance specifications including 400-meter pressure ratings and two-month operational endurance, with validation through comprehensive laboratory and field testing, including air-drop and calibration trials.

Through a subgrant awarded to Sofar Ocean Technologies, Inc. (doing business as Spoondrift Technologies), the project leverages industry-academia collaboration to advance ocean sensing technology. The platform is designed with an open-standard architecture to ensure extensibility and accessibility for the broader scientific community, advancing equitable participation in global ocean research. Beyond the technical deliverables, the project supports workforce development through hands-on engineering and research opportunities and contributes to open science initiatives. The award is scheduled for completion on August 31, 2026.

Abstract

Current ocean sensing platforms are constrained by high costs, limited scalability, and insufficient data resolution?particularly for capturing submesoscale ocean dynamics that are vital for understanding ocean mixing and climate. This project proposes the development of calanoid, a modular, low-cost, air-deployable ocean profiling float system, designed to enable dense, distributed in-situ observations. This project fosters collaboration between industry and academia and supports workforce development through hands-on engineering and research opportunities. The open-standard design ensures extensibility and accessibility for the broader scientific community, contributing to open science and equitable participation in global ocean research efforts. The project advances the state of the art in ocean sensing technology through the design and validation of a modular, scalable profiling platform that addresses critical gaps in spatial and temporal resolution of submesoscale measurements. Key innovations include a compact, piston-cylinder buoyancy engine designed for precise vertical profiling, and the nanoctd, a miniaturized, and a solid-state CTD sensor. The integration of low-cost mems-based temperature and pressure sensors further enhances data quality while maintaining affordability. The system is designed to meet stringent performance targets, including 400-meter pressure ratings and two-month operational endurance, and will be validated through rigorous lab and field testing, including air-drop and calibration trials. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.- subawards are planned for this award.