Current Project Areas

National and Homeland Security

Michigan Tech Research Institute currently has ongoing research projects in national security. These projects aim at research, development and practical application of sensors and information technology to help solve critical national security matters. MTRI uses Portable RADAR and Ground Penetrating RADAR systems to accomplish project tasks.

Projects

• Compressive Sensing - WARP
• Optimization of RADAR Waveforms - WARP
• Intrusion Detection
• Optical Antennas

Environmental

Michigan Tech Research Institute has several research projects that are related to environmental issues such as wetlands mitigation, carbon cycle, farming practices and climate change. These projects use multi-spectral satellite imagery to analyze study areas as well as in situ measurements. The types of satellite data that is used ranges from multi-spectral imagery in the visible part of the light spectrum (Landsat, MODIS and ASTER) to Synthetic Aperture RADAR (Radarsat, JERS and PALSAR).

• Radar Detection and Monitoring of Invasive Phragmites in the Coastal Great Lakes
• Respiratory Health Impacts of Wildfire Particulate Emissions Under Climate Change Scenarios
• Remote Sensing and Wetlands
• Carbon Modeling and Fire Emissions
• NRCS (EQI)
• MichiganView
• Mineral Occurrence Revenue Estimation and Visualization Tool

Water Characterization

MTRI has expertise in developing new techniques for in-situ and remote sensing-based water characterization. MTRI, in partnership with the University of Michigan, has developed autonomous robot buoy systems for in-situ data collection. These systems, and other datasets, have been used to support monitoring efforts, conduct baseline characterization of remote areas, and develop decision support systems. MTRI also creates and maintains web-based systems for projects such as the Great Lakes Environmental and Molecular Science Center, the North Slope Science Initiative, and Lake St. Clair Monitoring.

• North Slope Science Initiative (NSSI)
• Bering Glacier
• GLEAMS DDSS
• New MODIS Algorithm
• Lake St. Clair Monitoring
• Automated Lagrangian Water Quality Analysis System (ALWAS)
• Ablatometer - Glacier Ablation Sensor (GAS)
• BathyBoat
• Ranger III

Transportation

The transportation projects that MTRI are currently involved in use a combination of remote sensing and GIS techniques along with in situ field data to solve transportation issues. These projects are focused on boarder crossing delays, wetland mitigation for planning new freeways and taking inventory of road furniture. The types of remote sensing data that is used include RADAR, Landsat and aerial imagery.

• Assessing Bridge Condition using Remote Sensing Technologies
• Transportation Applications of Restricted Use Technology (TARUT)
• Remote Sensing in Transportation Streamlining Environmental and Planning Processes
• Remote Sensing Freight Flows at the Borders
• Vehicle Infrastructure Integration (VII)
• Mineral Occurrence Revenue Estimation and Visualization Tool

Biomedical Sensing

Biomedical signal processing and analysis is a point of impact for MTRI. Through collaboration with external medical domain expertise, our background in sensors, algorithms, and signal processing has been used to develop innovative approaches to the study, diagnosis, and treatment of disease.

• Sleep Disorder Study

Outreach Activities

MTRI’s outreach activities are designed to provide educational programs, technical expertise, tools/data and information and make them available to the public and stakeholders to promote awareness and improve environmental management.

• Publications / Presentations
• Posters
• Conferences
• Portals / Websites