Project
Smart panel for sea lamprey detection: Closing the gap to field deployment
We envision that low-cost smart panels for detecting sea lamprey attachment have myriad applications in sea lamprey assessment and control. They could determine lamprey presence to better define run timing or aid assessment in locations without traps, or activate automated blocking measures at fishways to prevent sea lamprey escapement. Our prior GLFC-supported research resulted in two smart panel sensors: a piezoresistive (PR) pressure sensor array that maps the pressure signature of an attached lamprey, and an interdigitated electrode (IDE) contact sensor that detects the electrical impedance change from attachment. We also developed and tested multiple machine learning algorithms for automated detection of lamprey attachment for both types of panels. This project aims to close the final gap between lab prototypes and field deployment by scaling up panels to sizes of relevance in field applications, enhancing speed and accuracy in automated real-time lamprey detection, and demonstrating the panel operation in an environment that emulates field conditions. Research objectives include scaling up smart panels (to the meter-scale), determining optimal smart panel type and associated detection algorithm(s) for achieving the response speed and accuracy required by different field applications (e.g., assessment vs. fishway operation), and evaluating the operation of large smart panels in setups emulating fishway and barrier conditions. Wireless data transfer and graphical user interface modules will also be developed to facilitate remote access of field detection data.