Multi-purpose Above/Below Surface Sonde

The Technology

MASED (‘May-Z-D’) is a low-cost, modular, configurable, family of versatile maritime sondes and bouys that collect critical ocean data.

Collected data includes conductivity and temperature of ocean water and is used in aiding research, commercial, and defense missions.

MASED produces targeted profiles in the ocean’s critical areas, including environments of rapid intensification during storms.

The technology boasts features such as automatic satellite communications and the option for recoverable or expendable deployment.

Boston Engineering was founded in 1995, and has grown to provide product design and engineering consulting for robotics, uncrewed systems, and special marine equipment.

Photos and graphics showing sonde deployment in the ocean
Examples of sondes and their deployment in the ocean Credit: Boston Engineering

Benefits

  • Inexpensive: Designed to use low-cost and replaceable sensors
  • Reusable: Designed for multiple, untethered dives
  • Simplicity: Easy to use and launch

Applications

  • Gathering atmospheric and ocean data
  • Hand, vessel, or air-droppable situations
  • Advanced hurricane and storm forecasting

Resources

Company Contact

This technology is commercially available for purchase. For additional information please contact the Boston Engineering team at mrufo@boston-engineering.com. Note: Any reference obtained from this website to a specific company, product, process, or service does not constitute or imply an endorsement by NOAA.

Federal Procurement – Sole Source Information

Through the SBIR/STTR Congressional Authority and Policy Directive, companies are eligible for Phase III sole-source contracts to support work that derives from, extends, or completes work funded with SBIR Phase I or Phase II awards. Technologies in the Marketplace that include this statement are eligible for Phase III awards from any federal agency. For more information about Phase III, see this website and reach out to noaa.sbir@noaa.gov with questions. Find a full list of available SBIR/STTR technologies, access the Award Database on SBIR.gov.