Geolux Non-Contact Surface Velocity Sensor - NexSens

Case Studies

Developing Monitoring Solutions through Applied Research

Developing Monitoring Solutions through Applied Research

Developing Monitoring Solutions through Applied Research

The Center for Human GeoEnvironmental Studies (CHNGES) at Western Kentucky University (WKU) works with organizations to develop environmental monitoring solutions. Dr. Jason Polk started CHNGES at WKU after recognizing a need in his industry to help create and manage long-standing environmental monitoring programs.Polk specializes in water resources and climate research, karst environments, and reconstruction of the environment. CHNGES focuses on understanding human and societal interactions as well as various environmental issues through monitoring and research. Applied research and working with communities have been the basis for all of Polk's monitoring solutions over the years.He explains, "I can study glaciers in Iceland, I can study caves in Belize, I can study, you know, groundwater right here in Kentucky, we've done work with ag communities and impacts in Vietnam—it's been really interesting and neat to be able to do work in all these different countries in these areas and see that linkage and that thread of applied research." Challenges: Innovation and Long-Term Monitoring Solutions for Unique Applications

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Safeguarding Southwest Florida with Marine Water Quality Monitoring

Safeguarding Southwest Florida with Marine Water Quality Monitoring

Safeguarding Southwest Florida with Marine Water Quality Monitoring

When the Okeechobee and the Caloosahatchee River were connected by the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) in the 1880s, the region underwent a variety of environmental changes. While water control locks were installed in the 1930s and 1960s, the Sanibel area in Southwest Florida still suffered from deteriorating water quality due to runoff and pollution occurring up the river and surrounding watershed.Incoming nutrient loading caused massive algae drift/stranding events in 2005-2006, according to AJ Martignette, the Laboratory Manager with Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation (SCCF). The water quality shifts also led to the increased frequency and severity of red tides as well as large salinity swings affecting sea grasses in the estuary and freshwater grasses in the river.In order to mitigate some of the damages, the SCCF stepped in to help develop a monitoring program that would help inform the USACE and the South Florida Water Management District when to release water and when to close off the connection between the lake and river. In 2007, what is now referred to as the River, Estuary and Coastal Observing Network, or simply RECON was created. Made up of 11 monitoring sites, the network tracks weather and water quality across Southwest Florida in order to ensure the residents can continue to rely on the aquatic system. Challenge: Environmental Conditions in Southwest Florida

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Tracking Flow For Hydropower

Tracking Flow For Hydropower

Tracking Flow For Hydropower

The Northern Indiana Public Service Company (NIPSCO) is a large energy provider in the state of Indiana. It provides power to more than a million customers through distributing energy derived from natural gas and hydropower dams.As part of achieving its mission to provide reliable energy to its customers, officials at the company have to be aware of changing flow rates near its hydropower assets. The real-time calculations are necessary for keeping plant managers up to speed on factors that could influence hydropower output.To meet the need for quality data tracking flow, officials at NIPSCO contracted engineers at LimnoTech, an environmental consulting company based in Ann Arbor, Michigan, to devise a monitoring solution. Project managers at LimnoTech then collaborated with specialists at NexSens Technology to equip vital hydropower areas with water level sensors and cellular data loggers. Going with the flow

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