Dylan C. Kesler

Take a look at our paper on global forecasting of storm surges at ungauged locations through ML techniques. Our work will be preseted at the #CVPR #EarthVision workshop.#ai4eo

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🚀 Vision changes explored on Polaris Dawn mission using PlenOptika's autorefractor The handheld QuickSee Free was used for data collection and study during the five-day mission. Data was collected for research into spaceflight associated neuro-ocular syndrome because it was a key risk faced by most astronauts in long-duration flight.  According to Shivang Dave:  ‘It’s every engineer’s dream to be part of space exploration and QuickSee Free’s inclusion in the mission –as the first handheld wavefront aberrometry and autorefraction device in space –is a testament to our engineers’ envelope-pushing ability to design technology equal to the demands of health research under the most challenging circumstances.’ https://lnkd.in/d7SjSnWx #ophtalmology #eyehealth #autorefractor #healthtech #data #wearenina

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https://lnkd.in/gBRYMz8x One of my favorite radio shows, Marketplace, did a great special yesterday on amorphous metals for use in transformers. The story starts at 11:30 on the April 22nd episode, called "A new spin on the yard sale." To paraphrase the story, to meet climate goals, energy savings is needed, including in transformers. Last year, the Department of Energy proposed using amorphous steel as replacements for transformers. For some 75 years, transformers have been made with grain-oriented-electric steel. The efficiency of amorphous steel is much better, however, according to Ames National Laboratory. The electric steel in a transformer is rolled into very thin sheets that allow it to conduct electricity more efficiently. The amorphous steel is naturally thin (30% thinner than electrical steel because it is melt spun), which makes it more efficient. That means less energy lost when electricity moves through the transformer. Unfortunately, amorphous steel is only produced at one supplier, Metglas of South Carolina. Sourcing a new transformer can take a few years and could be longer if all transformers were required to switch. Conventional steel workers are angry about potential job loss due to the proposed rules. The efficiency requirements were walked back so that only 25% of new transformers will be required to be made from amorphous metals. This will reduce CO2 emission by 85 million metric tons over 30 years. It was a very interesting story about economics, green technology, sourcing, and materials science and I think Marketplace did a great job with a very nuanced subject matter. Clearly, the amorphous metal transformers are better, but the technology to mass produce the melt-spun ribbon is difficult to replicate and manufactured by only a few suppliers, who protect their trade secrets vigorously. Requiring new technologies that are measurably better in terms of CO2 reduction is good for the climate but comes with issues such as supply chain and loss of business for heritage technologies. This is the typical tradeoff between economics and regulations when it comes to adoption of new technologies. It would be preferable to see demand drive the shift to green technologies, like solar, for example, and not regulations but sometimes regulations are needed to move the needle on adoption, as long as it’s done with care for possible job losses.

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Recently I had the privilege of joining Miriam McNabb, (Editor-in-Chief at DroneLife.com), Charles Werner (Executive Director of DRONERESPONDERS), and Tim Martin (Director of Training, Unmanned Aerial Systems, The Regional Training Center) for an episode of the Public Safety Drone Review. Below is a breakdown of the topics covered and where you can find them in the video:  News: 5:23 – 7:58: The importance of communication and transparency in building public acceptance of drones. 15:05 – 17:10: Outreach events support public acceptance and can inspire the next generation of drone operators. 18:40 – 23:20: DETECT Act discussion, drone cybersecurity, & the impact of uncertainty on the market and drone programs.  23:21 – 27:45: Drones & Wildland Firefighting – the opportunities they represent to fill historical gaps/limitations and evolve risk mitigation and response.  Webinar Topics: 30:30 – 36:00: Practical Guide to the American Security Drone Act (ASDA) – (https://lnkd.in/epHeFciA) 36:07 – 37:30: U.C. Berkeley Disaster Lab and the FIRE Foundry program discussion (https://lnkd.in/eBWFXpev), (https://lnkd.in/egF5sqDm), (https://lnkd.in/em33DGXA). 37:31 – 40:03: Wildland Fire – The role of an "Operational Technologist" in connecting government agencies and industry to promote collaboration and advancement (https://lnkd.in/eB4KBARk)  41:09 – 42:56: Regulatory support and aligning airspace and regulations to reflect new technologies and expanded commercial markets that are part of this 2nd Golden Age of Flight (https://lnkd.in/eYZsuXkZ). 43:23 – 46:50: Future of eVTOL in wildland fire (https://lnkd.in/eeKieaRw). 47:00 – 50:25: “Drones for Better” – discussion of the new SourceAmerica Mentor-Protégé Program under AbilityOne that provides expanded opportunities for drone and related technology companies, Federal Agencies, wounded warriors and other deserving Americans with disabilities. (https://lnkd.in/eaXeYC5k). Audience Questions: 52:05 – 56:40: ASDA follow-up question. 56:41 – 57:58: MQ-25 question. Closing: 58:05 – 59:11: Future influence in the drone space – military to commercial or commercial to military? https://lnkd.in/ePnaJFSh #dronesforgood #dfr

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A very interesting project and that first proof of concept needed a very flexible and capable on-board processing solution. When you have a tight, commercially driven timeline, it's important to have confidence in your platform so you can focus on delivering what the sensor produces. More information, less data.

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As use cases for Earth imagery evolve, the Earth Observation Market will grow even stronger beyond its primarily national security market where it finds itself today. Smaller satellites and imagers that offer more frequent temporal imagery will likely drive the future market. https://ow.ly/51aG50SJbk5

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