CIMES

CIMES is focused on developing robust research and strong educational programs in geographic areas that present significant homeland security challenges. Its goal is to deliver revolutionary advances in maritime domain security capabilities that will allow for the eventual development and fielding of critically needed new capabilities. Guided by informed assessment of the DHS maritime problem suite, CIMES will achieve success in a number of scientific and technical areas of direct relevance to DHS.

Science and Engineering Themes

Coastal Radars Detection and Satellite Tracking of Ships in Tropical and Polar Oceans

CIMES is conducting an accelerated research program to examine maritime data collection systems including space-based platforms for the detection of shipping and HF Radars for the near-shore monitoring of ships, ocean currents and hazards in island and extreme environments. These studies will determine optimum paths to improve these systems and deliver information for maritime security applications to DHS stakeholders.

Harbor Acoustic Monitoring Systems

Research into technologies that will improve our awareness of potential threats on the spatial scales of ports through advances in active and passive acoustics is being conducted. Particular advances are sought in separating, identifying, and tracking a multiplicity of signals in a noisy coastal/harbor environment. The first test site will be at UH’s Kilo Nalu field site close to Honolulu Harbor.

Decision Support Systems

CIMES is developing operational prototypes of Decision Support Systems (DSS) based on the fusion of the disparate sensor data described above. This DSS component will link CIMES’ technical research projects to an overall Concept of Operations for a Marine Domain Awareness system in such a way as to guide the center’s research investments.

Education & Training

By expanding existing educational and training programs at all levels, from K-12 through graduate courses and continuing education programs, CIMES will ensure the development and maintenance of a competent and capable, broad-based constituency that is knowledgeable in the technical approaches necessary to address maritime security risks. CIMES, by virtue of our diverse student population, is particularly well placed to bring minority students into the DHS community.