Engineering OverviewTeamsProjectsLatest NewsData MBARI is committed to developing new technologies and approaches to overcome the barriers that have historically limited our ability to access the sea. The ocean covers more than 70 percent of our planet, yet much of it remains unexplored. Technological innovation taking place here at MBARI is helping to transform the field of oceanography by improving the tools researchers need to explore, and ultimately understand, the ocean. The ocean covers more than 70 percent of our planet, yet much of it remains unexplored. The technological innovation taking place at MBARI is helping to transform the field of oceanography by improving the tools researchers need to explore and ultimately understand the ocean. The ongoing development of new tools for ocean science showcases MBARI’s ability to take on high-risk, high-reward projects that would be difficult to tackle elsewhere. It also serves as a shining example of what’s possible when scientists and engineers work collaboratively, as David Packard envisioned when he founded MBARI. These teams and projects are developing innovative technologies that are revolutionizing how we access, monitor, and learn about the changing ocean. Read More Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo. Teams All Teams Control, Modeling, and Perception of Autonomous Systems Laboratory Team Control, Modeling, and Perception of Autonomous Systems Laboratory The Control, Modeling, Perception for Autonomous Systems (CoMPAS) Laboratory aims to develop and transfer technology for making ocean exploration more accessible and widespread, and to help answer several questions that remain open about our planet. Biological Oceanography Group Team Biological Oceanography Group The Biological Oceanography Team studies how life in the sea responds to climate change. We advance the field by improving methods to detect, observe, and understand variations of marine flora and fauna. Carbon Flux Ecology Team Carbon Flux Ecology The Carbon Flux Ecology Team resolves the biology and ecology of sinking particles to advance our understanding of the ocean’s role in regulating the carbon cycle and climate. Chemical Sensors Team Chemical Sensors This team develops sensor and float technologies to record fundamental ocean properties. Once a float is deployed, it takes measurements frequently, helping us understand our changing ocean. Ocean Biogeochemical Sensing (OBS) Team Ocean Biogeochemical Sensing (OBS) OBS develops and applies new sensing technologies to study ocean biogeochemical cycles, with an emphasis on the coastal ocean. Midwater Ecology Team Midwater Ecology The Midwater Ecology Team studies the animals of the oceanic water column directly, using undersea vehicles to carry cameras, instruments, tools, and samplers into their deep habitat. Seafloor Mapping Lab Team Seafloor Mapping Lab The Seafloor Mapping Team collects multi-scale seafloor bathymetry and imaging data with precision navigation to produce efficient, high-resolution, and repeatable characterizations of deep-sea sites. SURF Center Team SURF Center The SURF Center (Sensors: Underwater Research of the Future) develops and deploys instruments that can autonomously collect and process water samples. Long-Range AUV (LRAUV) Team Long-Range AUV (LRAUV) The Engineering Team is refining the LRAUV system and developing new capabilities to expand the breadth of ocean science applications that scientists can address with this new ocean robot. Marine Robots’ Onboard Intelligence for Capturing Oceanographic Features Team Marine Robots’ Onboard Intelligence for Capturing Oceanographic Features This team is developing onboard intelligence for autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) and autonomous surface vehicles (ASVs). Enabling a Persistent Presence Team Enabling a Persistent Presence This team is developing power capture and transfer technology to enable a long-term presence of instrumentation in the ocean. Projects All Projects Detecting Episodic Export Events Team Detecting Episodic Export Events Midwater Time Series Team Midwater Time Series Providing specific data to investigate the natural and climate-change-caused variability of oceanic communities at depths below the mixed layer. Respiration Studies Team Respiration Studies Investigating the ecological effects of Central California’s expanding oxygen minimum zone (OMZ). Food Web Dynamics Team Food Web Dynamics Explaining the complex structure and functioning of the deep-sea food web off Central California. Behavior Studies Team Behavior Studies Behavior patterns of deep-sea animals have long been a subject of mystery and speculation. Because of access provided by MBARI’s ROVs, detailed observations of the behavior of these animals have become possible for the first time. Vertical Migration Studies Team Vertical Migration Studies Vertically migrating animals comprise a large and active component of the ocean’s biological pump, and when compared with passively sinking detritus, the vertical migrators contribute significantly to the overall flux of particulate organic carbon. Age and Growth Studies Team Age and Growth Studies Studying the pace of life of deep-sea animals to better understand their recovery rates and resilience. Southern Ocean Carbon and Climate Observations and Modeling (SOCCOM) Team Southern Ocean Carbon and Climate Observations and Modeling (SOCCOM) SOCCOM is an NSF-sponsored program focused on unlocking the mysteries of the Southern Ocean and determining its influence on climate. Land/Ocean Biogeochemical Observatory (LOBO) in Elkhorn Slough and Monterey Bay Team Land/Ocean Biogeochemical Observatory (LOBO) in Elkhorn Slough and Monterey Bay The Land-Ocean Biogeochemical Observatory (LOBO) consists of robust moorings that can withstand tidal currents and weather. Biogeochemical Gliders Team Biogeochemical Gliders Working to equip biogeochemical sensors on underwater gliders. Coral Reef Metabolism Team Coral Reef Metabolism Developing autonomous systems to measure coral reef metabolism. Publications All Publications Sorry, no publications were found. Latest News All News News Commercial licensing expands access to innovative MBARI technology News 09.26.23 News High-tech “smart boulders” give the first look from inside an underwater landslide News 04.06.22 News Mapping reveals rapid changes to the Arctic seafloor as ancient submerged permafrost thaws Press Release 03.14.22 Technologies All Technologies Sorry, no results were found. Data All Data Data Bioinspiration Lab Data Data FathomNet FathomNet is a publicly available database that makes use of existing (and future), expertly curated data from several sources
Control, Modeling, and Perception of Autonomous Systems Laboratory Team Control, Modeling, and Perception of Autonomous Systems Laboratory The Control, Modeling, Perception for Autonomous Systems (CoMPAS) Laboratory aims to develop and transfer technology for making ocean exploration more accessible and widespread, and to help answer several questions that remain open about our planet.
Biological Oceanography Group Team Biological Oceanography Group The Biological Oceanography Team studies how life in the sea responds to climate change. We advance the field by improving methods to detect, observe, and understand variations of marine flora and fauna.
Carbon Flux Ecology Team Carbon Flux Ecology The Carbon Flux Ecology Team resolves the biology and ecology of sinking particles to advance our understanding of the ocean’s role in regulating the carbon cycle and climate.
Chemical Sensors Team Chemical Sensors This team develops sensor and float technologies to record fundamental ocean properties. Once a float is deployed, it takes measurements frequently, helping us understand our changing ocean.
Ocean Biogeochemical Sensing (OBS) Team Ocean Biogeochemical Sensing (OBS) OBS develops and applies new sensing technologies to study ocean biogeochemical cycles, with an emphasis on the coastal ocean.
Midwater Ecology Team Midwater Ecology The Midwater Ecology Team studies the animals of the oceanic water column directly, using undersea vehicles to carry cameras, instruments, tools, and samplers into their deep habitat.
Seafloor Mapping Lab Team Seafloor Mapping Lab The Seafloor Mapping Team collects multi-scale seafloor bathymetry and imaging data with precision navigation to produce efficient, high-resolution, and repeatable characterizations of deep-sea sites.
SURF Center Team SURF Center The SURF Center (Sensors: Underwater Research of the Future) develops and deploys instruments that can autonomously collect and process water samples.
Long-Range AUV (LRAUV) Team Long-Range AUV (LRAUV) The Engineering Team is refining the LRAUV system and developing new capabilities to expand the breadth of ocean science applications that scientists can address with this new ocean robot.
Marine Robots’ Onboard Intelligence for Capturing Oceanographic Features Team Marine Robots’ Onboard Intelligence for Capturing Oceanographic Features This team is developing onboard intelligence for autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) and autonomous surface vehicles (ASVs).
Enabling a Persistent Presence Team Enabling a Persistent Presence This team is developing power capture and transfer technology to enable a long-term presence of instrumentation in the ocean.
Midwater Time Series Team Midwater Time Series Providing specific data to investigate the natural and climate-change-caused variability of oceanic communities at depths below the mixed layer.
Respiration Studies Team Respiration Studies Investigating the ecological effects of Central California’s expanding oxygen minimum zone (OMZ).
Food Web Dynamics Team Food Web Dynamics Explaining the complex structure and functioning of the deep-sea food web off Central California.
Behavior Studies Team Behavior Studies Behavior patterns of deep-sea animals have long been a subject of mystery and speculation. Because of access provided by MBARI’s ROVs, detailed observations of the behavior of these animals have become possible for the first time.
Vertical Migration Studies Team Vertical Migration Studies Vertically migrating animals comprise a large and active component of the ocean’s biological pump, and when compared with passively sinking detritus, the vertical migrators contribute significantly to the overall flux of particulate organic carbon.
Age and Growth Studies Team Age and Growth Studies Studying the pace of life of deep-sea animals to better understand their recovery rates and resilience.
Southern Ocean Carbon and Climate Observations and Modeling (SOCCOM) Team Southern Ocean Carbon and Climate Observations and Modeling (SOCCOM) SOCCOM is an NSF-sponsored program focused on unlocking the mysteries of the Southern Ocean and determining its influence on climate.
Land/Ocean Biogeochemical Observatory (LOBO) in Elkhorn Slough and Monterey Bay Team Land/Ocean Biogeochemical Observatory (LOBO) in Elkhorn Slough and Monterey Bay The Land-Ocean Biogeochemical Observatory (LOBO) consists of robust moorings that can withstand tidal currents and weather.
Biogeochemical Gliders Team Biogeochemical Gliders Working to equip biogeochemical sensors on underwater gliders.
Coral Reef Metabolism Team Coral Reef Metabolism Developing autonomous systems to measure coral reef metabolism.
News High-tech “smart boulders” give the first look from inside an underwater landslide News 04.06.22
News Mapping reveals rapid changes to the Arctic seafloor as ancient submerged permafrost thaws Press Release 03.14.22
Data FathomNet FathomNet is a publicly available database that makes use of existing (and future), expertly curated data from several sources