• 09/22/2017

    Presented at the OCEANS 2017 Anchorage meeting, 18th -  21th September 2017, Anchorage, USA.

    Every autumn, the Marine Technology Society and the IEEE Oceanic Engineering Society sponsor OCEANS, a prestigious conference/exhibition that draws an international audience of more than 2,000 attendees.

    Representatives from NeXOS have presented the final outcomes of with an article that summarizes field validations of the innovations developed during the four years of the project and phisically showcased A1 Passive Acoustic and O1 Matrixflu sensors at the project booth. 

  • 08/14/2017

    Read here an open-access peer reviewed paper on one of NeXOS developments: the O1 MiniFluo Optical sensor.

     

  • 12/11/2016

    Presented at the AGU 2016 Fall meeting, 12th -  16th December 2016, San Francisco, USA.

    AGU Fall Meeting brings together the entire Earth and space science community from across the globe for discussions of emerging trends and the latest research. The technical program includes presentations on new and cutting-edge science, much of which has not yet been published.

    Representatives from NeXOS project will present the last progresses under the framework of the FP7 EU program "Oceans of Tomorrow", describing the process of integration of sensors into platforms by using standards and protocol from the OGC SWE framework.

  • 08/02/2016

    Presented at the OCEANS conference and exhibit, 19th -  23rd September 2016, Monterey, USA.

    The OCEANS North America conference and exposition brings together scientists, engineers, educators, industry leaders and policy makers. The program presents an array of technical presentations, tutorials, workshops, networking opportunities and an exhibition highlighting state-of-the-art developments in technologies related to exploring, monitoring, protecting, and wisely using the world’s ocean resources. Over 2,500 attendees, with a broad international representation annually attend this conference.

    Representatives from NeXOS project will present the last progresses under the framework of the FP7 EU program "Oceans of Tomorrow", describing the process of interoperability in the complete data flow from sensor to final user.

  • 06/07/2016

    Presented at the Group on Earth Observation conference, 31st May - 2th June 2016, Berlin, Germany.

    Representatives from science, business and public administration met from 31 May to 2 June in Berlin for the 2016 GEO Workshop for European projects on Earth observation. Dr. Eric Delory, from PLOCAN, and NeXOS project coordinator, participated at the session “Towards an Integrated Ocean Observing System – Optimizing Ocean Monitoring and Data Sharing Capabilities”, presenting the talk “Sensor observation and developments”. Other NeXOS partners also participated, such as Simon Jirka from the company 52N, Christoph Waldmann from the Marum-UniHB center and Jay Pearlman from the IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers).  2016 marks a turning point for the Group on Earth Observation (GEO) with the launch of the new Strategic Plan implementing the Global Earth Observations System of Systems (GEOSS). Now in its 10th edition, the GEO European Projects Workshop 2016 presented and discussed European initiatives contributing to GEOSS.

    Established in 2005, GEO is a voluntary partnership of governments and organizations that envisions “a future wherein decisions and actions for the benefit of humankind are informed by coordinated, comprehensive and sustained Earth observations and information.” GEO Member governments include 101 nations and the European Commission, and 95 Participating Organizations comprised of international bodies with a mandate in Earth observations.

  • 04/20/2016

    Presented at the Sensors Applications Symposium, 20-22 April 2016, Catania, Italy.

    Sensors Applications Symposium is a unique opportunity for researchers and developers working in the field of sensors and their applications and it is sponsored by IEEE. General and special sessions will be dedicated to sharing experience and knowledge in the field of sensor technologies, sensing methodologies and applications for sensors as well as the role and the use of sensors in strategic fields ranging from environment monitoring to ambient assisted living. A strong effort will be also dedicated to promote networking activities through formal and informal events.

  • 10/23/2015

    The article was published on October 23, 2015 in the Earthzine Web magazine

    PLOCAN and its glider school are part of a marine science and technology initiative that partners with the broader NEXOS framework of the European Union (EU) to build collaboration in collection and sharing of  ocean research. With its glider school PLOCAN hopes to further the vision of shared, socially-applicable research in a way that spreads beyond the Canary Islands.

  • 08/24/2015

    The article was published on August 24, 2015 in the Earthzine Web magazine

    Associate Professor Joaquín del Rio Fernandez, an expert in the development of “smart” electronic interfaces at the Universitat Politécnica de Catalunya in Barcelona, asks a question: “If you’re able to connect a USB device to any computer without problems, why can’t you connect an instrument to any type of platform?”Under the auspices of the European Commission’s (EC) 7th Framework Programme, the Ocean of Tomorrow 2013, del Rio and a consortium of interdisciplinary experts have begun the challenging task of designing multifunctional “plug-and-play” sensor systems that scientists could deploy on virtually any fixed or mobile platform to monitor the health and productivity of ocean waters surrounding the European continent and beyond.

  • 06/16/2015

    Presented at the 9th GEO European Projects Workshop, 15-16 June 2015, Copenhage, Denmark

    The Workshop has being organised with the purpose to bring together European stakeholders interested in and actively contributing to the Global Earth Observations System of Systems (GEOSS). The Presentation shows the new multifunctional sensors for fixed and mobile observatories developed under the NeXOS project framework.

  • 05/14/2015

    Presented at the Ocean IEEE conference, 11TH - 14TH May 2015, Pisa, Italy.

    This paper describes the development of cost-efficient, innovative and interoperable ocean passive acoustics sensors systems deployable from multiple platforms in the European FP7 project NeXOS (Next generation Low-Cost Multifunctional Web Enabled Ocean Sensor Systems Empowering Marine, Maritime and Fisheries Management). The objective of the NeXOS project is to develop cost-effective, innovative, and compact multifunctional sensor systems in ocean optics, ocean passive acoustics and for an Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries (EAF), which can be deployed from mobile and fixed platforms, with data services contributing to the GEOSS, the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) and the Common Fisheries Policy of the European Union. Development of a new generation of multifunctional sensor systems is underway to address ocean monitoring challenges. The development of innovative hydrophones will focus on the pre and post-processing of acoustic information and improved transducer integration, reducing size and overall procurement and operations cost while increasing functionality. An important part of the effort will focus on the need for greater dynamic range and the integration on autonomous platforms, such as gliders and profilers. 

  • 10/28/2014

    Presented at the 7th EuroGOOS Conference; 28TH - 30TH, October, 2014 Lisbon, Portugal.

    The NeXOS project is developing new multifunctional sensor systems supporting a number of scientific, technical and societal objectives, ranging from more precise monitoring and modelling of the marine environment to an improved management of fisheries. Several sensors will be developed, based on optical and passive acoustics technologies, addressing key environmental descriptors identified by the European Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) for Good Environmental Status (GES).  Two of the new sensors will also contribute to the European Union Common Fisheries Policy (CFP), with a focus on variables of interest to an Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries (EAF). An objective is the improved cost-efficiency, from procurement to operations, via the implementation of several innovations, such as multiplatform integration, greater reliability through better antifouling management, greater sensor and data interoperability and the creation of market opportunities for European enterprises. Requirements will be further analysed for each new sensor system during the first phase of the project. Those will then be translated into engineering specifications, leading to the development phase. Sensors will then be tested, calibrated, integrated on several platform types, scientifically validated and demonstrated in the field. Translation to production and broad adoption are facilitated by participating industry.

  • 10/17/2014

    Presented at the 9TH SeaTech Week Workshop, 13TH - 17TH October, Brest, France.

    The 9th SeaTech Week, an international marine science and technology week, was held in Brest, France in October 2014. The meeting included a workshop on Sensor Systems for a Changing Ocean: underwater sensors, the next generation (SSCO) organized by IEEE France and the Ocean Engineering Society of IEEE. The workshop was based on the need for innovative sensors to improve and expand marine observations as part of a more comprehensive approach ecosystem management. This includes the first outcome of the project NeXOS aimed at improving the temporal and spatial coverage, resolution and quality of marine observations. This will be achieved through the development of cost-efficient innovative and interoperable in-situ sensors deployable from multiple platforms, as well as web services for a broad range of key domains and applications. The main objective is to present new, integrated sensors that can be implemented on a variety of fixed and mobile platforms and have multiple functionalities including measurements of key parameters useful to a number of objectives, ranging from more precise monitoring and modelling of the marine environment to an improved assessment of fish stocks. The workshop also addressed means of underwater observations based on other innovative sensor systems. Finally European projects connected to NeXOS were presented.

  • 09/15/2014

    Presented at the Ocean IEEE conference, 15TH - 17TH September 2014, St. John's, Canada.

    Development of a new generation of multifunctional sensor systems is underway to address ocean monitoring challenges. These range from more precise monitoring of the marine environment to an improved management of fisheries and, among other things, address improved life cycle cost-efficiency. These advances will be achieved through innovations such as multiplatform integration, greater reliability through better antifouling management and greater sensor and data interoperability. Requirements for the sensors have been refined through surveys and discussions with science and industry users. This paper will describe these developments in the NeXOS project.

  • 09/09/2014

    Presented at the 6TH FerryBox workshop; 8TH - 9TH, September, 2014, Tallin, Estonia.

    FerryBox systems are constantly developed and more instruments are integrated to the flow-through system which are installed to more ships with new transects hence covering more sea-areas with more precise data. Integrating even more with remote sensing and modeling products, these in-situ measurements will be a substantial part of an operational oceanographic network.

  • 06/13/2014

    Presented at the 8th GEO European Projects Workshop, on 12TH and 13TH June 2014, Athens, Greece.

    Collection of in-situ observation of a volume that covers over 70% of the planet is difficult and costly in time and resources, with yet rather unsatisfactory results, in particular, with respect to  space-time resolution. To this end, a number of challenges need to be overcome - as recognized in the Blue Planet GEO Ocean SBA description. Development of a new generation of multifunctional sensor syste ms is underway in the NeXOS Project to address some of these ocean monitoring challenges. NeXOS is focused on optical and passive acoustic sensors with applications ranging from more precise monitoring of the marine environment to an improved management of fisheries. From a technical perspective, NeXOS is addressing improved life cycle cost-efficiency via the implementation of innovations, such as multi-functionality, multiplatform integration, greater reliability through better antifouling management and greater sensor and data interoperability.  Requirements for the sensors have been refined from this perspective through surveys and discussions with science and industry users.

  • 04/10/2014

    Presented at the Ocean 2014 IEEE conference, 7TH - 10TH April 2014, Taipei, China.

    The NeXOS project aims to develop new multifunctional sensor systems supporting a number of scientific, technical and societal objectives, ranging from more precise monitoring and modelling of the marine environment to an improved management of fisheries. Several sensors will be developed, based on optical and passive acoustics technologies, addressing key environmental descriptors identified by the European Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) for Good Environmental Status (GES). Two of the new sensors will also contribute to the European Union Common Fisheries Policy (CFP), with a focus on variables of interest to an Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries (EAF). An objective is the improved cost-efficiency, from procurement to operations, via the implementation of several innovations, such as multiplatform integration, greater reliability through better antifouling management, greater sensor and data interoperability and the creation of market opportunities for European enterprises. Requirements will be further analysed for each new sensor system during the first phase of the project. Those will then be translated into engineering specifications, leading to the development phase. Sensors will then be tested, calibrated, integrated on several platform types, scientifically validated and demonstrated in the field. Translation to production and broad adoption are facilitated by participating industry. Overall, the paper presents an overview of the project objectives and plans for the next four years.

  • 04/04/2014

    TV clip created during the workshop about ocean sensors, held in Runde (Norway) in April 2014

  • 02/28/2014

    Presented at AGUOcean Science Meeting 2014, 23RD-28TH February, 2014, Honolulu, HI, USA.

    Measurement of light absorption in seawater is an important issue in biological oceanography, because it can provide information about the different light absorbing constituents therein. In the visible spectrum, this is mainly chromophoric dissolved organic matter (CDOM), non-living particular matter, and phytoplankton with its various pigments. Often, absorption measurements of natural samples are complicated by low concentration of absorbing material in the water and light scattering on particles. These problems can be overcome by systems based on integrating cavities like the point-source integrating cavity absorption meter (PSICAM).

  • 11/06/2013

    Presented at EUR-OCEANS hot topics conference - A changing ocean, 6TH-8TH November, 2013, PLOCAN, Gran Canaria, SPAIN

    As stated by the marine research decision makers in Europe in the “Ostend Declaration” in 2010, a major challenge is to support the development of a truly integrated and sustainably funded European Ocean Observing System. This will be achieved with more long-term measurements of key parameters but is impaired by the costs and lack of reliability of ocean sensors in general. The NeXOS project aims to improve the temporal and spatial coverage, resolution and quality of marine observations through the development of cost-efficient innovative and interoperable in-situ sensors deployable from multiple platforms, and Web Services for key domains and applications. This will be achieved through the development of new, low-cost, compact and integrated sensors with multiple functionalities including the measurement of key parameters useful to a number of objectives, ranging from more precise monitoring and modelling of the marine environment to an improved assessment of fisheries. Seven compact and cost-efficient sensors will be developed, based on optical and acoustics technologies, addressing a majority of descriptors identified by the Marine Strategy Framework Directive for Good Environmental Status. One multifunctional sensor system will be specific to the problem of carbon cycle and ocean acidification related measurements, such as high precision optical measurement of pH and At, together with membrane based measurement of pCO2. The sensor will respond to multiplatform integration, sensor and data interoperability, strict quality assurance and reliability requirements.

  • 10/11/2013

    Presented at MAR-TECH 2013, 9TH-11TH October, 2013, Girona, SPAIN

    Sensor technology is rapidly advancing, enabling smaller and less expensive instruments to monitor Earth’s environment. It is expected that many more kinds and quantities of networked  environmental sensors will be deployed in coming years. This work presents an approach for the smart configuration and integration of marine sensors into an interoperable Sensor Web infrastructure such that the overall life cycle cost of sensors and observing systems is reduced and data has greater societal and scientific value. In this paper some of the objectives related to sensor interface included in the project proposal NeXOS (Next generation, Cost-effective, Compact, Multifunctional Web Enabled Ocean Sensor SystemsEmpowering Marine, Maritime and Fisheries Management), under the European Commission’s Ocean of Tomorrow call FP7-OCEAN-2013.2, are presented.