Synthesis and Flocculation of Polyacrylamide with Low Water Absorption for Non-dispersible Underwater Concrete

The polyacrylamide which is directly added into concrete shows strong water absorption property.Thus the construction of underwater constructure would demand high amount of water,resulting in poor workability of concrete and strength shrinkage after hardening.Herein,a kind of anionic polyacrylamide(APAM)grafted with water reducing functional group(-COOH)was synthesized at low temperatures by partial factor design and response surface design.The structure and morphology of APAM were characterized by UV,FTIR and SEM methods.The experimental results show that the molecular weight of the synthesized APAM could reach 11 million,under the condition that the temperature was 35℃,the pH value was 8,the monomer concentration was 27wt%,the initiator dosage was 0.6wt%,and the monomer ratio(n(AM):n(AA))was 3.When the APAM was applied into the underwater slurry,it presented good flocculation and low water demand.When the dosage was 1%of the mass of the cement,the water demand increased by 12%,which could meet the self-leveling and anti-dispersity of the underwater slurry at the same time.This technology provides technical guidance for the large-scale industrial production of polyacrylamide for underwater concrete construction while achieving environmental protection during production.

An Underwater Target Detection Algorithm Based on Attention Mechanism and Improved YOLOv7

For underwater robots in the process of performing target detection tasks,the color distortion and the uneven quality of underwater images lead to great difficulties in the feature extraction process of the model,which is prone to issues like error detection,omission detection,and poor accuracy.Therefore,this paper proposed the CER-YOLOv7(CBAM-EIOU-RepVGG-YOLOv7)underwater target detection algorithm.To improve the algorithm’s capability to retain valid features from both spatial and channel perspectives during the feature extraction phase,we have added a Convolutional Block Attention Module(CBAM)to the backbone network.The Reparameterization Visual Geometry Group(RepVGG)module is inserted into the backbone to improve the training and inference capabilities.The Efficient Intersection over Union(EIoU)loss is also used as the localization loss function,which reduces the error detection rate and missed detection rate of the algorithm.The experimental results of the CER-YOLOv7 algorithm on the UPRC(Underwater Robot Prototype Competition)dataset show that the mAP(mean Average Precision)score of the algorithm is 86.1%,which is a 2.2%improvement compared to the YOLOv7.The feasibility and validity of the CER-YOLOv7 are proved through ablation and comparison experiments,and it is more suitable for underwater target detection.

Underwater four-quadrant dual-beam circumferential scanning laser fuze using nonlinear adaptive backscatter filter based on pauseable SAF-LMS algorithm

The phenomenon of a target echo peak overlapping with the backscattered echo peak significantly undermines the detection range and precision of underwater laser fuzes.To overcome this issue,we propose a four-quadrant dual-beam circumferential scanning laser fuze to distinguish various interference signals and provide more real-time data for the backscatter filtering algorithm.This enhances the algorithm loading capability of the fuze.In order to address the problem of insufficient filtering capacity in existing linear backscatter filtering algorithms,we develop a nonlinear backscattering adaptive filter based on the spline adaptive filter least mean square(SAF-LMS)algorithm.We also designed an algorithm pause module to retain the original trend of the target echo peak,improving the time discrimination accuracy and anti-interference capability of the fuze.Finally,experiments are conducted with varying signal-to-noise ratios of the original underwater target echo signals.The experimental results show that the average signal-to-noise ratio before and after filtering can be improved by more than31 d B,with an increase of up to 76%in extreme detection distance.

MCRNet:Underwater image enhancement using multi-color space residual network

The selective attenuation and scattering of light in underwater environments cause color distortion and contrast reduction in underwater images,which can impede the ever-growing demand for underwater robot operations.To address these issues,we propose a Multi-Color space Residual Network(MCRNet)for underwater image enhancement.Our method takes advantage of the unique features of color representation in the RGB,HSV,and Lab color spaces.By utilizing the distinct feature representations of images in different color spaces,we can highlight and fuse the most informative features of the three color spaces.Our approach employs a self-attention mechanism in the multi-color space feature fusion module.Extensive experiments demonstrate that our method achieves satisfactory results in color correction and contrast improvement of underwater images,particularly in severely degraded scenes.Consequently,our method outperforms state-of-the-art methods in both subjective visual comparison and objective evaluation metrics.

Wireless Information and Power Transfer in Underwater Acoustic Sensor Networks

Wireless information and power transfer(WIPT) enables simultaneously communications and sustainable power supplement without the erection of power supply lines and the replacement operation of the batteries for the terminals. The application of WIPT to the underwater acoustic sensor networks(UWASNs) not only retains the long range communication capabilities, but also provides an auxiliary and convenient energy supplement way for the terminal sensors, and thus is a promising scheme to solve the energy-limited problem for the UWASNs. In this paper, we propose the integration of WIPT into the UWASNs and provide an overview on various enabling techniques for the WIPT based UWASNs(WIPT-UWASNs) as well as pointing out future research challenges and opportunities for WIPT-UWASNs.

Unsupervised Multi-Expert Learning Model for Underwater Image Enhancement

Underwater image enhancement aims to restore a clean appearance and thus improves the quality of underwater degraded images.Current methods feed the whole image directly into the model for enhancement.However,they ignored that the R,G and B channels of underwater degraded images present varied degrees of degradation,due to the selective absorption for the light.To address this issue,we propose an unsupervised multi-expert learning model by considering the enhancement of each color channel.Specifically,an unsupervised architecture based on generative adversarial network is employed to alleviate the need for paired underwater images.Based on this,we design a generator,including a multi-expert encoder,a feature fusion module and a feature fusion-guided decoder,to generate the clear underwater image.Accordingly,a multi-expert discriminator is proposed to verify the authenticity of the R,G and B channels,respectively.In addition,content perceptual loss and edge loss are introduced into the loss function to further improve the content and details of the enhanced images.Extensive experiments on public datasets demonstrate that our method achieves more pleasing results in vision quality.Various metrics(PSNR,SSIM,UIQM and UCIQE) evaluated on our enhanced images have been improved obviously.

Bioinspired Polarized Optical Flow Enables Turbid Underwater Target Motion Estimation

Underwater target motion estimation is a challenge for ocean military and scientific research.In this work,we propose a method based on the combination of polarization imaging and optical flow for turbid underwater target detection.Polarization imaging can reduce the influence of backscattered light and obtain high-quality images underwater.The optical flow shows the motion and structural information of the target.We use polarized optical flow to obtain the optical flow field and estimate the target motion.The experimental results of different targets under varying water turbidity levels illustrate that our method is realizable and robust.The precision is verified by comparing the results with the precise displacement data and calculating two error measures.The proposed method based on polarized optical flow can obtain accurate displacement information and a good recognition effect.Moving target segmentation based on the Otsu method further proves the superiority of the polarized optical flow under turbid water.This study is valuable for target detection and motion estimation in scattering environments.

A Novel Multi-Stream Fusion Network for Underwater Image Enhancement

Due to the selective absorption of light and the existence of a large number of floating media in sea water, underwater images often suffer from color casts and detail blurs. It is therefore necessary to perform color correction and detail restoration. However,the existing enhancement algorithms cannot achieve the desired results. In order to solve the above problems, this paper proposes a multi-stream feature fusion network. First, an underwater image is preprocessed to obtain potential information from the illumination stream, color stream and structure stream by histogram equalization with contrast limitation, gamma correction and white balance, respectively. Next, these three streams and the original raw stream are sent to the residual blocks to extract the features. The features will be subsequently fused. It can enhance feature representation in underwater images. In the meantime, a composite loss function including three terms is used to ensure the quality of the enhanced image from the three aspects of color balance, structure preservation and image smoothness. Therefore, the enhanced image is more in line with human visual perception.Finally, the effectiveness of the proposed method is verified by comparison experiments with many stateof-the-art underwater image enhancement algorithms. Experimental results show that the proposed method provides superior results over them in terms of MSE,PSNR, SSIM, UIQM and UCIQE, and the enhanced images are more similar to their ground truth images.

Novel method for identifying the stages of discharge underwater based on impedance change characteristic

It is difficult to determine the discharge stages in a fixed time of repetitive discharge underwater due to the arc formation process being susceptible to external environmental influences. This paper proposes a novel underwater discharge stage identification method based on the Strong Tracking Filter(STF) and impedance change characteristics. The time-varying equivalent circuit model of the discharge underwater is established based on the plasma theory analysis of the impedance change characteristics and mechanism of the discharge process. The STF is used to reduce the randomness of the impedance of repeated discharges underwater, and then the universal identification resistance data is obtained. Based on the resistance variation characteristics of the discriminating resistance of the pre-breakdown, main, and oscillatory discharge stages, the threshold values for determining the discharge stage are obtained. These include the threshold values for the resistance variation rate(K) and the moment(t).Experimental and error analysis results demonstrate the efficacy of this innovative method in discharge stage determination, with a maximum mean square deviation of Scrless than 1.761.

Single Photon Detection Technology in Underwater Wireless Optical Communication:Modulation Modes and Error Correction Coding Analysis

This study explores the application of single photon detection(SPD)technology in underwater wireless optical communication(UWOC)and analyzes the influence of different modulation modes and error correction coding types on communication performance.The study investigates the impact of on-off keying(OOK)and 2-pulse-position modulation(2-PPM)on the bit error rate(BER)in single-channel intensity and polarization multiplexing.Furthermore,it compares the error correction performance of low-density parity check(LDPC)and Reed-Solomon(RS)codes across different error correction coding types.The effects of unscattered photon ratio and depolarization ratio on BER are also verified.Finally,a UWOC system based on SPD is constructed,achieving 14.58 Mbps with polarization OOK multiplexing modulation and 4.37 Mbps with polarization 2-PPM multiplexing modulation using LDPC code error correction.

Underwater Image Classification Based on EfficientnetB0 and Two-Hidden-Layer Random Vector Functional Link

The ocean plays an important role in maintaining the equilibrium of Earth’s ecology and providing humans access to a wealth of resources.To obtain a high-precision underwater image classification model,we propose a classification model that combines an EfficientnetB0 neural network and a two-hidden-layer random vector functional link network(EfficientnetB0-TRVFL).The features of underwater images were extracted using the EfficientnetB0 neural network pretrained via ImageNet,and a new fully connected layer was trained on the underwater image dataset using the transfer learning method.Transfer learning ensures the initial performance of the network and helps in the development of a high-precision classification model.Subsequently,a TRVFL was proposed to improve the classification property of the model.Net construction of the two hidden layers exhibited a high accuracy when the same hidden layer nodes were used.The parameters of the second hidden layer were obtained using a novel calculation method,which reduced the outcome error to improve the performance instability caused by the random generation of parameters of RVFL.Finally,the TRVFL classifier was used to classify features and obtain classification results.The proposed EfficientnetB0-TRVFL classification model achieved 87.28%,74.06%,and 99.59%accuracy on the MLC2008,MLC2009,and Fish-gres datasets,respectively.The best convolutional neural networks and existing methods were stacked up through box plots and Kolmogorov-Smirnov tests,respectively.The increases imply improved systematization properties in underwater image classification tasks.The image classification model offers important performance advantages and better stability compared with existing methods.

A digital twins enabled underwater intelligent internet vehicle path planning system via reinforcement learning and edge computing

The Autonomous Underwater Glider(AUG)is a kind of prevailing underwater intelligent internet vehicle and occupies a dominant position in industrial applications,in which path planning is an essential problem.Due to the complexity and variability of the ocean,accurate environment modeling and flexible path planning algorithms are pivotal challenges.The traditional models mainly utilize mathematical functions,which are not complete and reliable.Most existing path planning algorithms depend on the environment and lack flexibility.To overcome these challenges,we propose a path planning system for underwater intelligent internet vehicles.It applies digital twins and sensor data to map the real ocean environment to a virtual digital space,which provides a comprehensive and reliable environment for path simulation.We design a value-based reinforcement learning path planning algorithm and explore the optimal network structure parameters.The path simulation is controlled by a closed-loop model integrated into the terminal vehicle through edge computing.The integration of state input enriches the learning of neural networks and helps to improve generalization and flexibility.The task-related reward function promotes the rapid convergence of the training.The experimental results prove that our reinforcement learning based path planning algorithm has great flexibility and can effectively adapt to a variety of different ocean conditions.

Topology optimization of chiral metamaterials with application to underwater sound insulation

Chiral metamaterials have been proven to possess many appealing mechanical phenomena,such as negative Poisson's ratio,high-impact resistance,and energy absorption.This work extends the applications of chiral metamaterials to underwater sound insulation.Various chiral metamaterials with low acoustic impedance and proper stiffness are inversely designed using the topology optimization scheme.Low acoustic impedance enables the metamaterials to have a high and broadband sound transmission loss(STL),while proper stiffness guarantees its robust acoustic performance under a hydrostatic pressure.As proof-of-concept demonstrations,two specimens are fabricated and tested in a water-filled impedance tube.Experimental results show that,on average,over 95%incident sound energy can be isolated by the specimens in a broad frequency range from 1 k Hz to 5 k Hz,while the sound insulation performance keeps stable under a certain hydrostatic pressure.This work may provide new insights for chiral metamaterials into the underwater applications with sound insulation.

Improving path planning efficiency for underwater gravity-aided navigation based on a new depth sorting fast search algorithm

This study focuses on the improvement of path planning efficiency for underwater gravity-aided navigation.Firstly,a Depth Sorting Fast Search(DSFS)algorithm was proposed to improve the planning speed of the Quick Rapidly-exploring Random Trees*(Q-RRT*)algorithm.A cost inequality relationship between an ancestor and its descendants was derived,and the ancestors were filtered accordingly.Secondly,the underwater gravity-aided navigation path planning system was designed based on the DSFS algorithm,taking into account the fitness,safety,and asymptotic optimality of the routes,according to the gravity suitability distribution of the navigation space.Finally,experimental comparisons of the computing performance of the ChooseParent procedure,the Rewire procedure,and the combination of the two procedures for Q-RRT*and DSFS were conducted under the same planning environment and parameter conditions,respectively.The results showed that the computational efficiency of the DSFS algorithm was improved by about 1.2 times compared with the Q-RRT*algorithm while ensuring correct computational results.

Adaptive Sensor-Fault Tolerant Control of Unmanned Underwater Vehicles With Input Saturation

This paper investigates the tracking control problem for unmanned underwater vehicles(UUVs)systems with sensor faults,input saturation,and external disturbance caused by waves and ocean currents.An active sensor fault-tolerant control scheme is proposed.First,the developed method only requires the inertia matrix of the UUV,without other dynamic information,and can handle both additive and multiplicative sensor faults.Subsequently,an adaptive fault-tolerant controller is designed to achieve asymptotic tracking control of the UUV by employing robust integral of the sign of error feedback method.It is shown that the effect of sensor faults is online estimated and compensated by an adaptive estimator.With the proposed controller,the tracking error and estimation error can asymptotically converge to zero.Finally,simulation results are performed to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method.

Underwater Image Enhancement Based on Multi-scale Adversarial Network

In this study,an underwater image enhancement method based on multi-scale adversarial network was proposed to solve the problem of detail blur and color distortion in underwater images.Firstly,the local features of each layer were enhanced into the global features by the proposed residual dense block,which ensured that the generated images retain more details.Secondly,a multi-scale structure was adopted to extract multi-scale semantic features of the original images.Finally,the features obtained from the dual channels were fused by an adaptive fusion module to further optimize the features.The discriminant network adopted the structure of the Markov discriminator.In addition,by constructing mean square error,structural similarity,and perceived color loss function,the generated image is consistent with the reference image in structure,color,and content.The experimental results showed that the enhanced underwater image deblurring effect of the proposed algorithm was good and the problem of underwater image color bias was effectively improved.In both subjective and objective evaluation indexes,the experimental results of the proposed algorithm are better than those of the comparison algorithm.

A Novel CCA-NMF Whitening Method for Practical Machine Learning Based Underwater Direction of Arrival Estimation

Underwater direction of arrival(DOA)estimation has always been a very challenging theoretical and practical problem.Due to the serious non-stationary,non-linear,and non-Gaussian characteristics,machine learning based DOA estimation methods trained on simulated Gaussian noised array data cannot be directly applied to actual underwater DOA estimation tasks.In order to deal with this problem,environmental data with no target echoes can be employed to analyze the non-Gaussian components.Then,the obtained information about non-Gaussian components can be used to whiten the array data.Based on these considerations,a novel practical sonar array whitening method was proposed.Specifically,based on a weak assumption that the non-Gaussian components in adjacent patches with and without target echoes are almost the same,canonical cor-relation analysis(CCA)and non-negative matrix factorization(NMF)techniques are employed for whitening the array data.With the whitened array data,machine learning based DOA estimation models trained on simulated Gaussian noised datasets can be used to perform underwater DOA estimation tasks.Experimental results illustrated that,using actual underwater datasets for testing with known machine learning based DOA estimation models,accurate and robust DOA estimation performance can be achieved by using the proposed whitening method in different underwater con-ditions.

Research Progress of Underwater Soundabsorbing Material

This article provides an overview of underwater sound-absorbing materials mainly applied with polyurethane matrix.It mainly elaborates on the underwater sound mecha-nism,commonly used underwater sound-absorbing materials and structures,as well as new underwater sound-absorbing material structures derived from local resonance pho-nonic crystals,such as phononic crystals,local resonance phonon wood piles,and meta-material sound-absorbing structures.This provides a broader development space and direction for the future development of underwater sound-absorbing materials.

An Underwater Robot Inspection Anomaly Localization Feedback System Based on Sonar Technology

This article introduces an underwater robot inspection anomaly localization feedback system comprising a real-time water surface tracking,detection,and positioning system located on the water surface,while the underwater robot inspection anomaly feedback system is housed within the underwater robot.The system facilitates the issuance of corresponding mechanical responses based on the water surface’s real-time tracking,detection,and positioning,enabling recognition and feedback of anomaly information.Through sonar technology,the underwater robot inspection anomaly feedback system monitors the underwater robot in real-time,triggering responsive actions upon encountering anomalies.The real-time tracking,detection,and positioning system from the water surface identifies abnormal conditions of underwater robots based on changes in sonar images,subsequently notifying personnel for necessary intervention.

Analysis on Pore Structure of Non-Dispersible Underwater Concrete in Saline Soil Area

In this paper,mercury intrusion porosimetry(MIP)is used to test the pore structure of non-dispersible underwater concrete so as to study the influence of pouring and curing environment,age and slag powder on the pore characteristics of concrete,analyze the pore characteristics,porosity and pore distribution of concrete in different hydration stages,and reveal the relationship between pore structure and permeability of concrete.The results show that the pore-size distribution of concrete in fresh water condition is better than that in sulfate environment and mixed salt environment,and therefore,sulfate as well as mixed salt are not conducive to the development of pore structure of non-dispersible underwater concrete;chlorine salt has little effect on the pore structure of nondispersible underwater concrete;under the three conditions of sulfate,chlorine and mixed salt,the porosity of concrete mixed with slag powder is lower than that of concrete without slag powder.The results indicate that the addition of slag powder can ameliorate the pore size distribution of non-dispersed underwater concrete,reduce the porosity,and make the concrete structure more compact,which is beneficial to improve the permeability resistance of concrete at the macro level.