Abstract: A wireless power and data connector includes a socket and a plug. The socket has a power port for connecting to a wired power transmission line, a data port for connecting to a wired data communication line, a wireless power transmitter, and a wireless data transceiver. The plug includes a power port for connecting to a wired instrument power transmission line, a data port for connecting to a wired instrument data communication line, a wireless power receiver, and a wireless data transceiver. The socket has a concave portion and the plug has a convex region shaped such that the convex region of the plug removably fits within the concave region of the socket. The wireless power transmitter and wireless power receiver transmit power from the socket to the plug using magnetically coupled resonant tank circuits.

Abstract: Two long-wavelength fluorescent proteins isolated from the strawberry anemone, Corynactis californica are provided. These proteins are homologous to known fluorescent proteins, but their unique properties, including yellow or red color of emission, can find use in replacing and supplementing known fluorescent proteins. In addition, because of their longer wavelength absorption and emission spectra, they can be used in energy transfer applications with the known shorter wavelength fluorescent proteins and non-proteinaceous fluorescers.

Abstract: A light-driven energy generation system using proteorhodopsin is provided. Proteorhodopsin sequences were retrieved and amplified from naturally occurring members of the domain Bacteria using proteorhodopsin-specific polymerase chain reaction primers. Proteorhodopsin sequences were placed in expression vectors for production of proteorhodopsin proteins in a host, for instance, E. coli and other bacteria. The system also includes a light source and a source of retinal, that allows the system to convert light into biochemical energy. The generated biochemical energy could be mediated into electrical energy by a mediator.

Abstract: The invention provides a plug-and-work sensor interface device named “puck” for fast and easy deployment of various types of serial devices, which include commercial off-the-shelf and custom-made sensors and instruments, in a distributed, dynamic oceanic observing network. In an embodiment, each puck is removably attached and electrically coupled to a specific sensor to be deployed. The puck comprises a non-volatile memory for associating and storing arbitrary binary information about the sensor and a microprocessor for controlling how the information is read from and written into the non-volatile memory. The sensor information may include unique sensor identifier, sensor metadata, sensor device driver, etc. The puck itself does not execute any of the device code; rather, a host retrieves the sensor information from the puck when the puck is plugged in. The retrieval can be done automatically or semi-automatically with user interaction.

Abstract: Effective management of finfish stocks to avoid or mitigate the threat of fish-killing phytoplankton is of increasing concern, particularly in temperate seas. Intensive spatial and temporal sampling is required to monitor and quantify potentially harmful species, so that prior warning can be received of an imminent bloom. The use of large-subunit rRNA (LSU rRNA)-targeted oligonucleotide probes based on the sandwich hybridization assay to detect the fragile species Heterosigma akashiwo (Hada) Hada and Fibrocapsa japonica Toriumi & Takano (Raphidophyceae) is disclosed. Species-specific sandwich hybridization assays were successfully developed for various Raphidophytes.

Abstract: An assembly for an underwater vehicle that includes a motor, a duct assembly, and an actuator. The duct assembly includes a duct and a propeller mounted within the duct, where the propeller is driven by the motor. The actuator is connected to the duct assembly and the vehicle. The actuator pivots the duct assembly with respect to the vehicle. Alternatively, the assembly includes a motor, a duct having a generally cylindrical shape oriented about a longitudinal axis, and a propeller having an axis of rotation. The propeller is mounted within the duct and is driven by the motor. The propeller and the duct are connected such that the axis of rotation and the longitudinal axis have a fixed orientation with respect to one another. The assembly includes a configuration for changing an orientation of the axis of rotation and the longitudinal axis with respect to the vehicle.

Abstract: An assembly for an underwater vehicle that includes a motor, a duct assembly, and an actuator. The duct assembly includes a duct and a propeller mounted within the duct, where the propeller is driven by the motor. The actuator is connected to the duct assembly and the vehicle. The actuator pivots the duct assembly with respect to the vehicle. Alternatively, the assembly includes a motor, a duct having a generally cylindrical shape oriented about a longitudinal axis, and a propeller having an axis of rotation. The propeller is mounted within the duct and is driven by the motor. The propeller and the duct are connected such that the axis of rotation and the longitudinal axis have a fixed orientation with respect to one another. The assembly includes a configuration for changing an orientation of the axis of rotation and the longitudinal axis with respect to the vehicle.

Abstract: An aquatic autosampler device for frequent collection of discrete samples of microorganisms at various locations and depths. The aquatic autosampler device moves a filter disk within a filter housing from a filter carousel into a filter housing holder. The filter housing holder, slidably mounted on a linear shuttle, moves the filter housing into a process position, where a syringe draws fluid in through a valve manifold and through the filter disk to collect samples on the filter disk. Reagents may then be passed over the filter disk to enable image-based identification and quantification of the cells on the filter disk. An imaging system on the autosampler may capture a fluorescent image of the microorganisms on the filter disk and store the image in a control computer. The filter housing may then be returned to the filter carousel for storage and further lab processing.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions, methods, and kits for detecting species of Pseudo-nitzschia from a marine sample. Oligonucleotide probes for rRNA hypervariable regions of the Psuedo-nitzschia species: P. australis, P. pungens, P. multiseries, P. pseudodelicatissima, P. heimii, P. fraudulenta, P. delicatissima, and P. americana are provided as well as a oligonucleotide probe for a conserved region of ribosomal RNA from Pseudo-nitzschia.