1 / 24

PermaSense Project: Advanced Monitoring in Harsh Environments

PermaSense project aims to provide high-quality sensing in harsh environments using innovative interdisciplinary approaches, enabling new science and addressing natural hazards. Started in 2006 and funded by Swiss National Science Foundation, it focuses on understanding permafrost, instabilities in rock walls, and root causes of catastrophes. The project utilizes wireless sensors and specialized electronics in rugged enclosures installed in steep rock and ice walls. Fieldwork requires alpinist skills to investigate ice and water behaviors in rock cracks. Join the interdisciplinary team at PermaSense for cutting-edge research in geoscience and engineering.

nicholas-sherman
Download Presentation

PermaSense Project: Advanced Monitoring in Harsh Environments

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. The PermaSense Project Computer Engineering and Networks Lab, ETH Zurich Geography Department, University of Zurich Department of Computer Science, University of Basel

  2. PermaSense - Aims and Vision • Interdisciplinary geo-science and engineering collaboration • Long-term high-quality sensing in harsh environments • Better quality data, obtained online • Measurements that have previously been impossible • Enabling new science, answering fundamental questions related to decision making, natural hazard early-warning • Project started in 2006 • Funded by Swiss National Science Foundation, Federal Office of the Environment and others

  3. What is Permafrost? • Permafrost is rock, ground and debris frozen throughout the whole year • Permafrost is not visible • In summer permafrost thaws at the surface

  4. Investigating Instabilities in Steep Rock Walls • When are vertical rock walls getting instable? • When is rockfall happening? • What are its causes? • What are the effects of climate change? • How does this influenceour environment and habitat in the Alps?

  5. Understanding Root Causes of Catastrophes Rockfall at the Eiger in sommer 2006, Video courtesy of Arte Television

  6. Our patient does not fit into a laboratory

  7. So the laboratory has to go on the mountain

  8. Our Field Sites on Jungfraujoch and the Matterhorn

  9. The Matterhorn station at 3500 m in deep winter snow

  10. Perched high above the valley on a rocky ridge

  11. At the core - Wireless sensors tough to withstand the elements

  12. Specialized Low-Power Electronics in a Rugged Enclosure

  13. The sensors are installed in steep rock and ice walls

  14. A base station collects and relays the data to the valley

  15. Access with the helicopter is often spectacular

  16. Flyinguptothe Matterhorn Field Site

  17. The field work requires alpinist skills

  18. Understanding How Ice and Water Behaves in Rock Cracks

  19. Is Solid Ice in Fissures Acting as Glue or as a Lubricant?

  20. First Measurements are Converted to Scientific Results • Temperatures influence crack movement • Moisture saturation processes in freezing and thawing Temperature [°C] Craqck dilatation [mm] Resistance [MOhm] Temperature [°C] Temperature [°C] Crack dilatation [mm]

  21. A workplace with a view

  22. PermaSense - An Interdisciplinary Team • ETH Zurich • Computer Engineering and Networks Lab • University of Zurich • Department of Geography • University of Basel • Department Computer Science

  23. Interested in more? http://www.permasense.ch

More Related