Research
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> Gordon CenSSIS Research Posters - Student Posters (from 2008 Site Visit)

 
> Research Thrust R1: Subsurface Sensing & Modeling

The R1 research group is responsible for the study of the fundamental physical mechanisms involved in Subsurface Sensing and Imaging.  Nonlinear probes can produce benefits not available by any other imaging means. CenSSIS is investigating entangeld-photon imaging and ultrasonic harmonic imaging. The fundamental barrier facing these nonlinear modalities is the incomplete understanding of the physical mechanisms that produce the results. In dual-wave probes, two fields probe the target. CenSSIS is investigating laser-induced acoustic and acousto-photonic dual-wave mechanisms. As in nonlinear probes, the underlying physics is not well enough understood to predict the fundamental limits of such system. The CenSSIS goal is to advance understanding sufficiently to allow for optimized design of dual-wave imaging systems. Computational modeling can be used to advance fundamental understanding and as tools for engineering design, analysis and optimization. This research addresses the barriers that limit rapid, real-time analysis and inversion.
Presentations:

R1-A Presentation [4.2006]
R1-B Presentation [4.2006]

Associated Research Projects:

Earthquake Precursors with Potential for Satellite-Based Detection
- Phase 1 Report
- Associated Table

Publications

List of Publications

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> Research Thrust R2: Physics-Based Signal Processing & Image    Understanding

The R2 research thrust is responsible for the development of mathematical techniques for extracting the relevant information from the signal collected by a subsurface sensing mechanism. The goal of R2 is to identify the common mathematical structures and develop general approaches that are applicable across diverse application domains.

During this year the research under this thrust has been reorganized into four primary project areas, representing fundamentally different problem classes and associated information extraction strategies in subsurface sensing and imaging systems.

  • Multi-View Tomography (MVT) is concerned with problems where individual sensor information reflects integrated properties of areas of the observed subsurface region.
  • Localized Problem and Mosaicing (LPM) is concerned with problems where individual sensor information reflects properties of a highly localized region of the observed subsurface problem of interest.
  • Multi-Spectral Discrimination (MSD) is concerned with problems where sensors collect information on the observed problems of interest across multiple cross-registered spectral bands.
  • Image Understanding and Sensor Fusion (IUSF) aims to extract useful information from the images generated by subsurface inverse problems, such as the underlying object structure contained in a subsurface environment
Presentations:

R2 Presentation [4.2006]
R2-B Presentation [4.2006]

Publications

List of Publications

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> Research Thrust R3: Image & Data Information Management
The underlying motivation for work in the R3 thrust area is the recognition that many of the CenSSIS projects and TestBEDs will encounter massive datasets, computational barriers and software development challenges which will impede the research progress within the Center. R3 will develop scalable computational tools and resources to enable realistic models to be used for inversion. This thrust is responsible for the development and implementation of efficient sensor data databases, metadata, and multidimensional data search capabilities. R3 will also develop software-engineered SSI toolsets.
Presentations:

R3 Presentation [4.2006]

Publications

List of Publications

Resources

CenSSIS Image Database System
CenSSIS MVT Toolbox
CenSSIS Software Solutions

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TestBED
TestBEDs provide controlled testing environments in which new probes and algorithms can be verified with baseline data. Currently there are four BEDs, BioBED, MedBED, SoilBED and SeaBED. The existence of several different BEDs will enable CenSSIS to address the same fundamental barriers and allow extensive testing of new techniques and algorithms with diverse data sets. The potential to apply advances developed in one TestBED to systems with mathematical similarities in different media, sensor modalities, and target contrast properties will directly support the CenSSIS engineered system development. In particular, we see a critical role for the TestBEDs in the implementation of I-PLUS, for it is through these facilities that we will test and evaluate new concepts and operationally evaluate prototype systems.
 
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BioBED
BioBED is the test facility for biological applications of subsurface imaging. It is distributed across many of the partners and affiliates, and has a home lab at Northeastern University. The long-range goal is for this home lab to house a unique state-of-the-art "fusion microscope" that will combine new subsurface sensing techniques such as the Quadrature Tomographic Microscope (QTM), Entangled-States microscope, with state-of-the-art commercial instruments on the same specimen stage. This instrument will image specimens using multiple sensors simultaneously, both "staring mode" modalities such as Nomarski and QTM and scanning mode modalities such as confocal and reflectance-confocal, two-photon, and Entangled Two-Photon. Through this, CenSSIS will address the difficulty of imaging biological samples using microscopes housed at different locations. It is imperative that all these microscopes reside within a single integrated instrument so that images obtained using these different modalities can be unambiguously processed (i.e. minimal registration error, no change in biological state) on a single fixed specimen. Software tools for registration, fusion, visualization, and display of the wealth of information obtained will be developed in a joint effort with the R3 thrust.

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MedBED
The primary long-term goal for MedBED is a general-use, state-of-the-art, experimental facility for testing forward models, inversion models, and signal processing schemes in the medical domain as well as for calibrating and base-lining new hardware. Both ultrasonic and optical modes of operation will be supported. Propagation media include water and tissue-mimicking phantoms. A more immediate objective is the support of CenSSIS-based experimental studies, including linear and nonlinear underwater ultrasound imaging, ultrasound tomography, in vitro imaging in tissue phantoms, and acousto-optic and opto-acoustic imaging.
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SoilBED
The SoilBED facility is a critical component of CenSSIS that will provide verification and validation of subsurface sensing and imaging methodologies that will target environmental and civil infrastructure applications. In this project, a controlled facility has been developed for understanding/validation of physics-based models/sensors for geo-environmental and civil infrastructure applications. SoilBED's second year project focuses on the development and validation of cross-well radar models for detection and imaging of Dense Non Aqueous Phase Liquids (DNAPLs) in the soil subsurface. DNAPL detection and imaging was selected because it is a major problem for the Department of Energy (DoD) and the Department of Defense (DoD).
 
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SeaBED
The long-term goal for SeaBED is a general-use, state-of-the-art, experimental facility for testing forward models, inversion models, and signal processing schemes in the underwater and near-ocean-surface enviro-nment as well as for calibrating and base-lining new hardware. SeaBED will be based at UPRM, with the support of Prof. DiMarzio's laboratory at NU, and additional collaborations at WHOI. Both acoustic and optical modes of operation will be supported. Propagation media include water and the atmosphere. An overarching objective is the development of CenSSIS-based experimental studies, including hyperspectral imaging, radar and acoustic sensing to identify different coral reefs and their state of health in the Caribbean region.
 
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I-PLUS (Integrated Process for Looking Under Sufraces)
The I-PLUS development will result in a process which is supported by validated tools and models within CenSSIS. Some of the goals fo I-PLUS are to develop an integrated process for SSI problems that exploits commonality of solutions to diverse classes of subsurface problems and to develop tools that can support the rapid devlopment of end-to-end CenSSIS applications using this integrated process.
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