Collaborative Research: Elements: Physics-Informed Digitized Cyberinfrustructure Towards Next-G Underwater Networks

NSF Award Search · 01002627DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT · $336,504 · view on nsf.gov ↗

Abstract

Underwater wireless communication and networking are critical for monitoring aquatic environments, improving maritime safety, supporting offshore exploration, and enhancing national security. However, research progress in this field has been slow compared with terrestrial wireless systems because conducting underwater wireless experiments is challenging. Natural underwater environments are uncontrollable, and indoor pools and tanks are static and small, which significantly limits research reproducibility, innovation, and public accessibility. To bridge this gap, this project implements a remotely accessible underwater communication and networking platform in a water tunnel that enables experimentation, dataset collection, and artificial intelligence model building under a range of controlled, reconfigurable, reproducible conditions. The testbed, datasets, and developed software enable new wireless communication technology development without the high cost and complications of natural underwater deployments. By sharing advanced experimental tools, datasets, and software with the research community, this project advances scientific discovery and strengthens national leadership in next-generation underwater communication and networking systems. In addition, this project integrates research with education and actively trains students in communication, networking, sensing, and artificial intelligence to support workforce development and address critical national needs. This project designs and deploys a hybrid underwater acoustic, magnetic, and visible light networking system that integrates a reconfigurable water-tunnel testbed, physics-informed multi-modal deep generative channel models, and a scalable digital twin for dynamic underwater networking simulation and optimal control. First, the remotely accessible, reconfigurable testbed instrument enables the collection of acoustic, magnetic, and visible light communication channel data under dynamic water flow and b

Key facts

NSF award ID
2608505
Awardee
University of Nebraska-Lincoln (NE)
SAM.gov UEI
HTQ6K6NJFHA6
PI
Hongzhi Guo
Primary program
01002627DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT
All programs
Artificial Intelligence (AI), SMALL PROJECT, Software Institutes, EXP PROG TO STIM COMP RES
Estimated total
$336,504
Funds obligated
$336,504
Transaction type
Standard Grant
Period
10/01/2026 → 09/30/2029