EcoSCOPE

EcoScope is an optical sensor system, which is used to study the behavior and occurrence of small marine life. It may consist of many components, such as sensors, cameras, communication technology, data storage, and gripper arms. Basis of rigid endoscopes are made ​​of titanium, which contain sensitive electronics. The EcoScope system is continuously developed since years by marine biologists Uwe Kil in collaboration with high- technology companies, funders and universities.

The EcoScope system is used to monitor, measure and evaluate the environment, especially the marine and aquatic environment. Thus, for example, copepods ( plankton) are observed and recorded. In an extended application of the EcoScope system of water analysis and thus to protect the environment or the counting stirred-up sediment particles is used. The EcoScope system is provided as a measurement and observation instrument that is used in special situations. Some marine species are difficult to film, photograph or observe. The EcoScope to counteract the difficult conditions. In addition, it is inserted so that it is invisible to the observed organisms.

Next level of development: a bioindicator

The "Ocean Online biosensor " initiative aims at a combination of technical sensors, biosensors and information networks.

Means EcoScope a technical- biological sensor system was developed. The technical and optical sensor EcoScope is a biological component, a bioindicator expanded. As a biosensor, the actions of aquatic organisms serve with special powers of perception. The meaning of aquatic organisms ( sensory physiology ) can be used to evaluate their actions and be able to make certain statements.

Example of an application: water quality analysis by elver

The decisions of aquatic organisms with special sense organs serve as the basis for any statements, for example, for water quality. The special powers of perception juvenile ( juvenile ) glass eels are exploited in this environment control system. Because eels have, according to many scientists, the finest nose in the world.

The eels are exposed in a maze running in the different water samples. The eels follow practically her instinct, to decide for certain samples. Eels can perceive concentrations of 1/19 trillion. This corresponds to a dilution of a glass of a certain alcoholic beverage on the amount of water of all the Great Lakes.

In the picture, the CPU can be seen. At the corners are three entrances through which water from different sources ( rivers and streams in New Jersey). It flows in each case through a small maze, mingles in the vortex chamber in the middle and leaves it through a tube in the center. The glass eels migrate through a thin tube against the flow.

In the center is the entrance for the eels. To test the different types of water and then move on, leaving the central unit by the outputs in the corners. For the eels, the sensory impressions are about as colorful as the colors visible to us. The system is installed under water, and a digital camera observes the outputs.

The software dynIMAGE (sponsored by the Volkswagen Foundation ) recorded the frequency of decisions. Many thousands of elvers migrate through the system in a day. The three outputs on the bottom left provide the eels water from polluted sources ( one is a water dam ). The system has on government policy already for significant turbulence. In the future it is planned such EcoScope systems continuously operate online, such as the Long Term Ecological Observatory ( LEO ) ahead of New York, visible to all.

Sponsors and partnerships

Rutgers University, the Volkswagen Foundation, Menke - electro-optics, Dainat - Alubau, Sony, LEITZ, in situ SERVICE and HG Dethleffsen

Technology

The EcoScope system is a technical system of rigid endoscopes of titanium, integrated cameras, image sensors, movable gripper arms, fiber optic cables, oxygen and other sensors, also satellite communication systems and networking technology (lasers, GSM, microwaves ), as well as Hyperspektralscannern ( hyperspectral scanner ) spectrophotometer ( hyperspectral illumination system ).

The electronics are in 40 -mm titanium tubes, the glass is heavily coated, which allows working under turbulent conditions or in sand / ice. The system can be controlled via a stereo view via cyberhelmet ( cyberHELMET ).