Conceptual designs have been completed for a full-size RoboCrane that can deploy an EMMA measuring 40 feet or longer. Floating Disk Gathers Data by Greg Paula Data on heat flow from ocean to atmosphere, a primary driver of weather and climate, could yield valuable insights into such meteorological events as hurricanes and winter storms. To solve the problem, researchers at the National Science Foundation in Arlington, Va., and the University of Wisconsin-Madison are collecting the data in the water instead of the air. More important, the sensor needs to take a measurement only once every 20 minutes. The sensor is mounted in fiberglass mesh surrounded by a floating ring.
Surface tension keeps the sensor at the correct depth.
Three test devices have been deployed in the ocean so far. Once researchers better understand how to use and interpret the measurements that the device makes, they plan to deploy hundreds worldwide. This connection will provide the driver and passengers with such functions as access to the World Wide Web plus the ability to send and receive e-mail. Since many executives are increasingly conducting of business away from the office, the usefulness of remote access to e-mail and other electronic functions is readily apparent. In addition, there are potential benefits not directly related to business.