Proposal

Narrative

The Department of Geosciences has secured three different grants from private companies that provide state-of-the-art software for high resolution geophysical data processing/interpretation that account for over $1M in licenses at no cost to FAU. The software involves specific requirements for computer RAM memories, CPU processors, and video graphic cards, that the department currently lacks. For that reason, we request funds to purchase workstations that can be dedicated to running these programs. We also request funds for a low frequency GPR antenna and computer to collect deep datasets to be used with this software. This purchase will provide the following unique educational benefits including: a) In-class undergraduate/graduate (UG/G) student training: impacting over 180 students attending 7 different UG courses in Geosciences (like GLY4451, GLY4400, GLY4750, GLY4822, GLY4500. GLY4790, GLY4700c), and 30 students from G courses including GLY6908 and GLY6934 that will directly use/incorporate datasets processed using this software; b) Hands-on UG student training through research (i.e. DIS and support through OURI), including an NSF-Geopaths funded project that involves a summer camp for potential UG student recruits. Estimated: 10-15 students/year; c) Strengthening current collaborations with agencies (like the USGS) and companies (like WalkerMarineGeophysical Co) who have hired several graduates from Geosciences in recent years. d) Enhancing the student’s skills and training in subsurface interpretation that is critical when applying for job positions since graduates are most commonly hired by environmental consulting that routinely use these programs. e) Alignment to FAU’s strategic plan, improving core values such as innovation and student engagement, and aligning with the Environmental Sciences Pillar as datasets will focus on local areas such as the Everglades that may help understanding subsurface dynamics and “Everglades health” in general.

Facilities

Not applicable: No renovation of facilities or upgrades are needed for this project

Hardware Requirements

Hardware is requested for 3 different software programs including: SeisSpace and Landmark Depth Imaging (from Halliburton); Opendtect (from dGB); and Kingdom Suite (from IHS). Given the requirements in terms of computer RAM memories, CPU processors, and video graphic cards necessary to properly run these programs one dedicated workstation for each program is requested. Each workstation is fit to match the recommendations from each vendor in relation to that particular program. For that reason, where Kingdom Suite recommends a 32 GB memory, SeisSpace recommends higher memory (64 GB) in order to perform depth imaging and complex 3D algorithms and therefore a different workstation compared to the other two is requested. The following workstations and accessories (i.e. monitor, cables, external hard drives to ensure proper backup are therefore requested: Lenovo ThinkStation P720 - tower - Xeon Gold 6242 2.8 GHz - vPro - 64 GB Lenovo ThinkStation P720 - tower - Xeon Silver 4210R 2.4 GHz - vPro - 32 GB Acer CB382CUR bmiiphuzx - CB2 Series - LED monitor - curved - 37.5" – Samsung C34H890WGN - CH89 Series - LED monitor - curved - 34" Dell Pro Wireless Keyboard and Mouse and pads Seagate One Touch HDD STKC4000400 - hard drive - 4 TB - USB 3.2 Gen 1 Also, a low frequency GPR antenna and computer for acquisition of deep datasets is requested. These datasets will be used to test the applicability of this software for the processing and interpretation of GPR data, in conjunction with seismic data. 80 MHz HDR GPR antenna Panasonic Toughbook CF-20 10.1" Core i5-7Y57 8GB RAM 256GB Win 10 Pro

Software Requirements

No additional software requested. The equipment requested will allow the use of different state-of-the-art software programs for seismic data processing and interpretation that account for over $1M in licenses. These licenses were part of different grant programs from private companies providing the software (as well as technical support) at no cost to FAU.

Personnel Costs

A small amount to support two undergraduate students is requested to assist with computer setup, software installation and testing during Year 1. The students will also generate start-up guidelines for all 3 programs that can be used by other students to process and interpret datasets. A total of an equivalent of 10 hours a week for two student assistants at a rate of $14/hour is requested. This represents a total of $140 per week or $2,100 per semester and student for one semester during the Fall of 2023. Total of $4,200. Real datasets for data processing training will be acquired with the 80MHz antenna requested and performed by personnel in the lab involving both undergraduate and graduate students. These datasets will be used to generate DIS and research projects for student training. The Environmental Geophysics Lab will absorb the expenses associated with software maintenance, through other external support. After 2023, it is anticipated that usage will be performed by other undergraduates in training and personnel (i.e. staff or graduate students) at the Environmental Geophysics Lab

Other Costs

Not applicable

Timeline

April-June 2023: ordering and purchase of all hardware (given the current manufacturer delays and extended time window has been included to provide enough time for ordering and delivery). July-August 2023: setting up of computer hardware and initial testing and first steps for software installation with the help of the two undergraduate assistants. Due to the complexity of these programs it is anticipated that help from the manufacturers will be needed during installation (which they have committed to provide). September –October 2023: once software is installed, students will work with already existing datasets (provided by the manufacturers) to generate quick start-up guides. Graduate students from the Environmental Geophysics Lab will also be involved in this process. November-December 2023: real datasets will be collected (using the low frequency antenna requested) and processing tested using the guidelines generated. These datasets will be used for undergraduate research projects. Guidelines will be used for further processing of new data acquired in 2024 and onward.

Sustainability

All hardware and software will be maintained by personnel (i.e. staff, graduate, and undergraduate students) at the Environmental Geophysics Lab of the Department of Geosciences. Annual software and hardware updating, as well as license renewal will be conducted to ensure proper functionality beyond the initial project period, i.e. setup, installation, processing, start-up guidelines, etc. Any potential repairs or replacements will be also covered by the Lab (that has a recharge account with available funds for modest repairs).

Resource Matching

The Environmental Geophysics Lab in Geosciences will provide support in several ways: 1) by hosting the hardware and software located in Davie West. 2) by providing support for an undergraduate student during the summer of 2023 (for a minimum of 10 hours a week at $14 per hour and during 1-2 months). 3) by absorbing any expenses associated with maintenance and repair of the hardware beyond the initial project period. Also, all hardware will be purchased using the departmental account at CDW-G, which results in 5% savings from normal prices for all items (as compared to CDW).

Implementing Organization

The Department of Geosciences and the Environmental Geophysics Lab in particular will take the lead in implementing this project. We hope that this purchase will not only strengthen teaching and research within the Geosciences Department, but also across departments and schools within FAU and beyond, such as collaborations with agencies such as the USGS, or private companies like Walker Marine Geophysical Co. The Environmental Geophysics Lab emphasizes such collaborations and will continue to do so by incorporating additional projects that include training and usage of this software by undergraduate students across different departments and colleges at FAU. The acquisition of the proposed resources will also allow expanding computing resources to a new level for students in the Geosciences department by including state-of-the-art processing software into the curriculum of over 10 courses. This also aligns with FAU’s strategic plan in many ways, improving in some of the core values such as innovation and student engagement. It also aligns with some of the focus from the Environmental Sciences Pillar as datasets collected in the Everglades and processed with these resources may help understanding subsurface dynamics and “Everglades health” in general.