Haptic technologies — providing tactile feedback to the operator — developed to guide robotic surgeries are now being applied to underwater robotic platforms. The goal is safer and more efficient ROV operations.

An APL-UW research team developed an ultrasound system capable of non-invasive, real-time, image-guided repositioning of kidney stones. With UW urologists they are now conducting a 15-patient trial with the novel technology to demonstrate the feasibility of moving stones painlessly while patients are awake.

The APL-UW unmanned air system (UAS) testbed is a collaborative project involving researchers specializing in autonomy, remote sensing, and ocean science instrumentation. The effort seeks to transform how research is conducted at sea.

The Wavechasers team is back for the third and final time to the Samoan Passage. The first cruise mapped the deep choke point separating the North and South Pacific, and the next measured the flows that funnel through. Now they are recovering moorings that have been monitoring the flows for a year and using the ship's instruments to make detailed measurements of the turbulence. Follow their cruise blog.

Polar Science Center research on the increase of Antarctic sea ice drew a lot of attention in 2013. Covered by Hannah Hickey at UW News and Information, it was the 5th most popular story read on the UW website during the year.

Explore the Laboratory's latest report. Download a copy to read about our exciting undertakings in science, technology, advanced education, and outreach to the community. You can also check out the extended electronic media coverage and request a paper copy of the report.