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Suggested Citation:"2 Introduction." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2022. Technology Developments to Advance Antarctic Research: Proceedings of a Workshop. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/26699.
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2
Introduction

The scientists and engineers doing research in Antarctica and the Southern Ocean—and polar regions more broadly—must carry out their work in often hostile and unpredictable settings. The remoteness and isolation of the vast polar regions, together with extreme and often dangerous weather conditions, can make even “ordinary” research endeavors an extraordinary challenge. The U.S. Antarctic Program (USAP), managed by the National Science Foundation (NSF), is responsible for helping the scientific community find ways to overcome these challenges and operate safely and effectively in this unique terrain. Enabling and supporting Antarctic research efforts requires strong logistical support, which in turn requires considerable financial and human resources.

New and improved technologies can provide opportunities to carry out polar research more efficiently, safely, and reliably over a greater spatial and temporal range while simultaneously minimizing the costs and environmental impacts of this research. For instance, many important elements of Antarctic research rely on the operation of autonomous observing systems (e.g., global navigation satellite system, seismic, and meteorological observations) that collect data for extended periods. These systems have the potential to be more effective and cost feasible through advances in sensors, power systems, or supporting infrastructure that improve reliability and reduce the need for regular maintenance, repair, and replacement.

The NSF Office of Polar Programs (OPP) thus has a strong interest in and motivation to explore the full range of technology developments that can potentially contribute to the Antarctic science enterprise, building on ideas and insights from the research community itself. To pursue this interest, NSF asked the Polar Research Board (PRB) of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (the National Academies) to organize a public workshop to solicit broad community ideas and input regarding how technological innovation can

  • advance, facilitate, and transform Antarctic research and facilitate improvements to science support logistics;
  • increase the reach of scientific investigations in Antarctica while reducing the logistics and environmental footprint of these operations; and
  • facilitate broader, more diverse participation in Antarctic research.

The event was designed to explore developments relevant to particular areas of research and that cut across multiple disciplines—for instance, related to autonomous sensors and platforms, communications and connectivity, transportation and logistics, and energy sources and consumption. It was also designed to elicit ideas both from within the polar science community and

Suggested Citation:"2 Introduction." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2022. Technology Developments to Advance Antarctic Research: Proceedings of a Workshop. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/26699.
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from scientists and engineers working on cutting-edge developments outside of polar science. See Appendix A for the full Statement of Task.

Although this activity was aimed primarily at research conducted in and/or focused on the Antarctic and Southern Ocean (i.e., the ocean south of latitude 60º south), the planning committee also sought to ensure that the event was as relevant as possible to polar research more broadly (i.e., encompassing work done in Greenland, Alaska, and other parts of the high Arctic). The workshop explored many research topics that are common to both poles and offer fruitful opportunities for cross-fertilization of ideas, insights, and experiences.

Two particular constraints on the workshop scope to note: (1) the event was not designed to examine technologies for general logistical support of USAP operations overall (see the comments of Allen Pope on this in the section on Background and Motivation below); and (2) the event did not explore technologies used in satellite-based remote sensing instrumentation, because that topic has already been given thorough consideration in the National Academies’ “Decadal Survey” activities (NASEM 2018). However, remote sensing from aircraft and drone-based platforms was considered, and satellite remote sensing did factor into some discussions as an integral part of the overall picture of polar science.

WORKSHOP PLANNING AND STRUCTURE

With input from partner National Academies’ boards (i.e., Ocean Studies Board, Board on Atmospheric Sciences and Climate, Board on Life Sciences, Board on Earth Sciences and Resources, Board on Energy and Environmental Systems, Computer Science and Telecommunications Board, and National Materials and Manufacturing Board), PRB convened a workshop planning committee with diverse expertise (e.g., polar glaciology and Earth sciences; terrestrial and aquatic biology/ecology; atmospheric and oceanic research; astronomy, astrophysics, and space weather research) and experience working with a variety of underlying technology issues (e.g., data and communications technologies; low-temperature electronics, batteries, and power systems; and robotics and autonomous instrument engineering). The planning committee member biographies are in Appendix B.

The workshop convened scientists, technologists, and engineers working in Antarctic and polar sciences to explore how technology is developed and can be applied to advance and expand Antarctic research. Panel presentations and breakout discussions were used to share information and foster discussion among the community. See Appendix C for the workshop agenda.

Additionally, the planning committee developed a short set of questions that were distributed widely, along with the workshop announcement, to gather thoughts and ideas in advance of the event, which greatly helped the planning committee get a sense of the types of issues and ideas that people wanted to bring to the table. The questionnaire invited respondents to provide short answers on the following:

Suggested Citation:"2 Introduction." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2022. Technology Developments to Advance Antarctic Research: Proceedings of a Workshop. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/26699.
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  • existing technologies that hold great potential to advance some key aspects of Antarctic research,1 but that have not yet been applied for this purpose;
  • new technological advances that could plausibly be developed to advance some key aspects of Antarctic research2; and
  • a research question you would like to pursue but currently cannot due to technological limits and constraints.

This input was sorted into key topics, and a condensed version of these ideas was pre-populated on the virtual whiteboards used during the workshop breakout sessions to help stimulate discussion among the groups.

The structure of this proceedings largely follows the workshop agenda (see Appendix C), which covered the following broad categories:

  1. instrumentation, including oceanic-, atmospheric-, and land- or ice-based technologies;
  2. cross-cutting themes, including issues with power and data and communications;
  3. advancing partnerships and fostering inclusion and greater participation.

BACKGROUND AND MOTIVATION

Allen Pope, NSF OPP, provided a few opening remarks to provide context at the workshop. In addition to highlighting the Statement of Task, Pope reiterated the hope that the workshop would give special consideration to technologies that can benefit both Arctic and Antarctic research. He also noted that because the event is meant to inform the NSF Antarctic Sciences section rather than the Antarctic Infrastructure & Logistics section, the most useful focus is on the science side of technology advances (e.g., related to new sensor capabilities and field-deployed power systems) rather than the broader-scale logistics (e.g., related to runways, ships, and station-scale power systems). He acknowledged that the broader logistics support issues are critical but are best reserved for other discussion settings. NSF is interested in consideration of things such as

  • the relative impacts, costs, readiness, barriers, and probability of success of various technologies;
  • technology developments that hold potential for broad-scale adoption, as opposed to very specific niche applications;

___________________

1 For instance, could this technology help with collecting observations using new analytical techniques, sustaining observations over a greater temporal or spatial range, or reaching currently inaccessible environments? Could it reduce the environmental footprint, costs, or logistical support requirements for carrying out research? Could it allow more scientists to participate in Antarctic research through virtual or remote means?

2 Ibid.

Suggested Citation:"2 Introduction." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2022. Technology Developments to Advance Antarctic Research: Proceedings of a Workshop. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/26699.
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  • off-the-shelf or new technologies that have been developed for mid- and low-latitude research that could be modified or repurposed in the polar regions; and
  • developments that could provide new opportunities in both the short term and the long term.

Pope reminded participants that NSF OPP e-mail announcements, newsletters, and office-hour events are regularly offered that provide new proposal solicitations and other opportunities. He noted that NSF is always interested to hear new ideas, and people are encouraged to reach out to the relevant OPP program officers to discuss where a new idea might fit into other developments under way. He also noted the potential for building community discussion around advancing technologies, and the new Interagency Arctic Research Policy Committee (IARPC)-led Polar Technology forum (see next speaker) should provide a space to connect ideas with those interested in Arctic research applications.

In closing, Pope shared information about the new NSF Directorate for Technology, Innovations and Partnerships (TIP),3 which will support efforts to explore how breakthrough technologies can help meet societal and economic needs and create new high-wage jobs. OPP, as well as other parts of NSF, will be partnering with the TIP directorate to move these technological innovation goals forward. See Box 1 for more details.

This workshop builds on prior and ongoing discussions of the NSF-supported Polar Technology Conference (PTC). The co-lead organizer of the PTC, Mark Seefeldt, University of Colorado Boulder, shared insights on lessons learned from the most recent PTC and the vision for the forum moving forward. Held in Boulder, Colorado, the 2020 PTC convened experts in polar

___________________

3 See https://beta.nsf.gov/tip/latest.

Suggested Citation:"2 Introduction." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2022. Technology Developments to Advance Antarctic Research: Proceedings of a Workshop. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/26699.
×

science and technology development across academia, government, support contractors, and the military. The event covered a range of disciplines (e.g., terrestrial, marine, atmospheric, and social sciences) and logistical support issues. It was organized around six themes: science drivers, power systems, instrumentation, communications, data access and sharing, and overarching integrative technologies. Seefeldt highlighted some of the key lessons that he drew from PTC 2020, including

  • There is a strong interest in pooling ideas and experiences in applying technology to the polar regions.
  • Focusing on common areas (e.g., power systems and communications) expands the discussion across disciplines.
  • Including novel approaches to discussions broadens the ideas and input that are shared in the community.
  • Partnering with industry at all levels provides greater opportunity for targeted advancements in technology.

Seefeldt also learned that there is a strong desire and need to provide year-round opportunities for community engagement and the exchange of information, ideas, and experiences. On the basis of this need, the conference organizers decided to repurpose the PTC acronym definition as the “Polar Technology Community” to reflect ongoing efforts to bring common stakeholders together to share experiences and exchange ideas for applying technology to the polar regions.

The community that the PTC leaders aim to bring together includes stakeholders in academia, government, field support, industry, and military; people working in both polar regions (Arctic and Antarctic); international collaborators to leverage the experience and knowledge that other countries have applied in the polar regions; and those working on common applications (e.g., instrumentation power systems, communications, data access, and sharing field support infrastructure). The activities planned for the PTC include in-person workshops and training sessions, quarterly webinars, a community online forum, and special journal issue coordination.

The IARPC Arctic Research Plan 2022–20264 includes “technology innovation and application” as one of the foundational activities, and IARPC is transitioning the Polar Technology Community self-forming team into a “Technology Innovation and Application” foundational team to promote interactions with the PTC. The designated federal employee leader of this team will be Jonathan Blythe, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management.

In summary, the new PTC is being built by and for polar research scientists and technologists, focused on Antarctic and Arctic cutting-edge solutions. All polar scientists, technology experts, and industry developers are invited to join the PTC.

___________________

4 See https://www.iarpccollaborations.org/arctic-research-plan-2022-2026.html.

Suggested Citation:"2 Introduction." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2022. Technology Developments to Advance Antarctic Research: Proceedings of a Workshop. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/26699.
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Suggested Citation:"2 Introduction." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2022. Technology Developments to Advance Antarctic Research: Proceedings of a Workshop. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/26699.
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Suggested Citation:"2 Introduction." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2022. Technology Developments to Advance Antarctic Research: Proceedings of a Workshop. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/26699.
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Suggested Citation:"2 Introduction." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2022. Technology Developments to Advance Antarctic Research: Proceedings of a Workshop. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/26699.
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Suggested Citation:"2 Introduction." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2022. Technology Developments to Advance Antarctic Research: Proceedings of a Workshop. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/26699.
×
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Suggested Citation:"2 Introduction." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2022. Technology Developments to Advance Antarctic Research: Proceedings of a Workshop. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/26699.
×
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Suggested Citation:"2 Introduction." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2022. Technology Developments to Advance Antarctic Research: Proceedings of a Workshop. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/26699.
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Antarctica and the Southern Ocean are important research locations for many scientific disciplines, including oceanography, biology, and astronomy. Because of its remoteness and the extreme and dangerous weather conditions in which researchers must operate, research in this region presents many unique challenges. New and improved technologies can make Antarctic research safer, more efficient, and capable of covering a greater spatial and temporal range, all while minimizing the costs and environmental impacts of this research. At the request of the National Science Foundation Office of Polar Programs, the Polar Research Board of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine convened a workshop on May 3-5, 2022, to solicit broad community ideas regarding how technological developments can advance and expand Antarctic research and polar research more generally. Workshop participants discussed recent and potential technological breakthroughs, cross-cutting research themes, and how new technologies can facilitate broader, more diverse participation in Antarctic research. This publication summarizes the presentations and discussions of the workshop.

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