Sensors & Electronics
Awards & Recognition
R&D 100 Awards
1996 - Autonomous Environmental Sentinel (AES)
Developers: John Downing (joint entry with Brad DeRoos and Patt Hoffman of Battelle Columbus Operations)
AES is a multi sensor probe that collects data in aquatic environments at depths up to 300m. The system takes water samples on a time-series or event-triggered mode, and is controlled by an on-board microprocessor. The AES is the only multi parameter probe that measures gamma radiation. It can monitor water systems near sewage treatment plants, hazardous waste sites, as well as characterize coastal environments before military operations and gather research data. If it detects undesired chemicals or radioactivity, it broadcasts a warning. After surfacing, information can be downloaded by satellite telemetry, spread-spectrum RF transmission, or manual recovery and download. This probe is a joint entry with Battelle Memorial Institute and Ocean Sensors.
Excerpted from PNNL R&D 100 webpage.