Research is being conducted into improving existing and developing new techniques, instruments, and methods of data collection using multi- or hyper-spectral and lidar instruments for the purpose of remote terrain characterization. The properties of interest include bare soils, grass and other low vegetation, trees and forests, and all types of soil deposits – e.g. sands, clays, silts, mixed sediments, saline soils, organic soils and peat, etc. The properties of interest include composition, consistency, mechanical characteristics, such as strength, deformability, stability, and time-dependent deformation.  A combination of high-altitude and surface proximity remote measurements techniques, including hyperspectral sensors in all spectral ranges from UV to long-wave infra-red, in combination with detailed geotechnical and geological investigation of the properties of the terrain is used for model development and validation.  Forward modeling techniques using radiative transfer models for all terrain types and including bare soil and vegetation reflectance are of great interest. The goal is to improve our ability to describe not only generic terrain features and composition but also derive material properties that can be used in predicting soil behavior under mechanical loads, including the description of trafficability.

Our research group maintains the state-of-the-art spectral calibration facility as well as a very wide range of airborne sensors including lidar and Hyperspectral sensors in all ranges from 300nm to 2500nm and other cameras extending into the mid-wave and the long-wave thermal ranges. We routinely collect data around the world in support of many diverse research missions using a variety of aircraft, and conduct data processing, analysis, utilize and improve models and generate products for various Navy and USMC applications.

key words

Remote sensing, multi-spectral, hyperspectral, LiDAR, thermal, geotechnical, trafficability, sediment strength

Citizenship:  Open to U.S. citizens and permanent residents

Level:  Open to Postdoctoral applicants