Clara Smart

MS Student

Jennifer Giard

Previous Degree

B.S. Electrical Engineering, Northwestern University

Advisor

Dr. Chris Roman

Research Topic

Our research group focuses on high-resolution seafloor mapping with various imaging sensors, including stereo cameras, a high resolution multibeam sonar and a structured light laser imaging system. Most recently I have been working with the structured light system and the detection of diffuse seafloor venting. This system, mounted on a remotely operated vehicle working about 3m above the seafloor, consists of a sheet laser and black and white computer vision camera that images the laser line as it is incident with the seafloor. This sensor is typically used for high resolution bathymetry, however, as the sheet laser passes over hot water, including diffuse vent sites, the line refracts, allowing for systematic vent detection. Based on this detection, systematic maps of active venting within vent fields can be produced.

Publications

2011 C. Smart, G. Inglis, C. Roman and S. Carey, ``Detection of diffuse seafloor venting using structured light imagaing", AGU Fall Meeting, OS11B-1473, San Fransisco CA

2011 C. Smart, D. P. Whitesell, C. Roman and S. Carey, ``Remote Analysis of Grain Size Characteristic in Submarine Pyroclastic Deposits from Kolumbo Volcano, Greece", AGU Fall Meeting, OS13A-1501, San Fransisco CA

2011 G. Inglis, I. Vaughn, C. Smart, and C. Roman, "Development of high resolution sea floor mapping tools and techniques", Discovery @ URI Research, Scholarship and Innovation, April