ARL at UH team sending out an uncrewed surface vessel to help locate and map munitions off the coast

Concrete reef prototypes for the Rapid Resilient Reefs for Coastal Defense project

Link to video: https://spaces.hightail.com/receive/zGYABSbmTu

UH lands $110M DoD contract for cutting-edge research

News Release from University of Hawaiʻi,  Dec 13, 2024

The Applied Research Laboratory at the University of Hawaiʻi (ARL at UH) has secured a $110 million, five-year contract from the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD), with the potential for a five-year extension. This funding will support groundbreaking research, development, engineering, testing and evaluation of DoD programs.

As one of only five U.S. Navy-sponsored University-Affiliated Research Centers, ARL at UH has secured over $175 million in funding since its establishment in 2008. The laboratory conducts innovative research addressing some of today’s most pressing challenges, including renewable energy, sea-level rise, cybersecurity, underwater munitions detection and coral reef ecology.

“The Applied Research Laboratory at UH is not only tackling critical challenges that impact Hawaiʻi and the world, but it’s also paving the way for Hawaiʻi’s students to lead in high-tech fields,” said UH Vice President for Research and Innovation Vassilis L. Syrmos. “This partnership positions UH and our state as global leaders in innovative solutions, from coastal defense to renewable energy and advanced cybersecurity.”

Examples of ARL at UH research:

• R3D Coastal Defense: ARL at UH leads the Rapid Resilient Reefs for Coastal Defense (R3D) initiative, developing hybrid coral reefs to protect coastlines from erosion and storm surges while supporting marine biodiversity.
• Wave Energy Test Site (WETS): In partnership with Hawaiʻi Natural Energy Institute, ARL at UH operates WETS, the first U.S. project to connect wave-generated power to the grid. WETS advances renewable energy innovation and reinforces Hawaiʻi’s clean energy leadership.
• Locating and Mapping Munitions: For over 15 years, ARL at UH has located and mapped thousands of corroding munitions off Hawaiʻi’s coastlines, reducing risks to public safety and marine ecosystems.
• Cybersecurity: ARL at UH strengthens Pacific region cybersecurity through advanced computing and Machine Learning models, ensuring rapid anomaly detection and infrastructure resilience.
• Shaping the Future of Technology: ARL at UH drives innovation in digital engineering, prototyping, and maritime technologies, advancing solutions for national defense and environmental sustainability.

Related UH News stories:

• UH experts develop new tech to find sea-disposed munitions, September 15, 2024
• UH developed, living coastal-protection system prepares for deployment, September 2, 2024
• ARL at UH provides support for Hawaiʻi during emergencies, May 9, 2024
• ARL at UH work helps data tech earn graduate research fellowship, May 3, 2024
• ARL at UH innovative tech hub for Hawaiʻi, national defense, March 27, 2024
• Autonomous surface vehicles, remote sensors, more on display at MCBH, March 8, 2024

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