By Kalwinder KaurSep 3 2012
Liquid Robotics, innovator of the first wave powered autonomous marine robot Wave Glider, declared that its Gulf of Mexico-based Wave Gliders on a mission to collect ocean chemistry data battled Hurricane Isaac.
G2, a scientific mission-targeted Wave Glider positioned in Isaac's path was shifting out of the predicted path when the hurricane advanced towards this rugged robot.
As the eye traveled 60 miles east of the Wave Glider, the adjacent vessels moved off the Gulf of Mexico. G2, equipped with sensors for evaluating barometric pressure, water temperature, air temperature, and wind speeds, remained sturdy over the hurricane. Time-lapsed maps demonstrated reduction in water temperature, as the hurricane was vacuuming the heat off the Gulf. The storms intensity can be determined by the outcome of sustained winds with barometric pressure down to 988.3 mbar and 40 knots with gusts up to 74 knots.
Beyond the coast of Puerto Rico, Alex, another Liquid Robotics Wave Glider was launched east of Isaac. Alex played a vital role in the new joint project targeting measurement of hurricane intensity. Together with the NOAA Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory (AOML), this brave marine robot has been set forth to investigate the next hurricane and is anticipated to be the first to assess the conditions required to forecast hurricane strengthening, in both above and below the surface of the ocean. With grants from Liquid Robotics, this project will provide scientists with sufficient data for further improved hurricane prediction.
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