Case Study · Real-World Validation

Validating AquaSpectra with Scripps Institution of Oceanography

AquaMesh is validating AquaSpectra and AquaLab with UC San Diego's Scripps Institution of Oceanography and the COOL Lab at Scripps Pier, using a demanding marine site to prove durability, anti-fouling performance, and optical reliability in real deployment conditions while advancing joint research and calibration work.

UCSD Scripps
Institution of Oceanography
COOL Lab
Research Partner
20+
Parameters Measured
Calibration
Current Stage
Site
Scripps Pier, La Jolla, San Diego
Partner
UC San Diego — Scripps Institution of Oceanography & the COOL Lab
Hardware Under Test
AquaSpectra™ Probe & AquaLab™ Benchtop
In The Lab

Real world testing

The Scripps program is progressing on two fronts with the COOL Lab team: the benchtop unit is already supporting research validation work, while the probe is being calibrated for a planned deployment at the pier.

AquaSpectra probe, stainless steel housing

AquaSpectra™ Probe

Full-spectrum optical sensor being calibrated for pier deployment.

AquaLab benchtop analyzer on lab bench

AquaLab™ Benchtop

Same optical engine as the probe, running validation work now.

01 · Benchtop Validation

Refining calibration before the probe ever touches seawater

The benchtop system is being used in real-world validation work to refine calibration routines, confirm repeatability, and tighten confidence in optical performance.

AquaLab benchtop unit open on a lab bench, powered on
02 · Calibration Workflow

Probe and benchtop, calibrated side by side

Probe and benchtop instruments are being calibrated side by side so the field deployment starts from a stronger baseline ahead of the planned installation.

Researcher in a UC San Diego lab coat performing calibration work at the lab bench
AquaView™ Platform

The same platform, running on real Scripps-area data

AquaView centralizes readings from every deployed probe into live dashboards, AI-assisted insight, and per-probe reporting — the software layer behind the Scripps validation work.

Fleet Dashboard

Live parameter readings and sensor location

Real-time NO₃, TOC, and UV254 readings alongside a map view centered on the UC San Diego campus.

AquaView dashboard showing NO3, TOC, and UV254 readings with a sensor location map near UC San Diego
Multi-Parameter Charts

Measured data and near-term forecasts, side by side

Turbidity, temperature, and phosphate trends plotted with forecasted values layered directly onto measured readings.

AquaView charts showing turbidity, temperature, and phosphate trends with forecasts
AI Insights

Plain-language summaries, with a chat interface for follow-up

AquaView Analytics summarizes turbidity, chlorophyll, and phycocyanin trends automatically, and answers direct questions about the underlying data.

AquaView AI Insights panel summarizing turbidity, chlorophyll, and phycocyanin trends, with a question and answer thread
Per-Probe Reporting

Parameter-level detail for every probe in the fleet

Min, max, mean, standard deviation, and trend for every tracked parameter, broken out probe by probe.

AquaView probe report showing turbidity, chlorophyll, fDOM, phycocyanin, and temperature statistics for AquaMesh Probe A1
Anomaly Flags

Offline sensors and drifting trends, surfaced automatically

AquaView flags offline devices and gradual trends like rising fDOM before they become bigger problems, with a direct link back to the affected probe.

AquaView anomaly flags panel showing a critical offline sensor alert and a warning for an fDOM upward trend
Why This Site

A strong proving ground for broader deployments

Scripps combines coastal exposure, research rigor, and operational complexity in one site, making it a useful proving ground as AquaMesh moves from calibration into sustained field validation.

Dynamic coastal conditions

Exposed coastal deployment with constant wave energy and variable salinity.

Biofouling stress test

High biofouling pressure for validating optical durability and cleaning systems.

Operational proof point

Real-world research setting for proving autonomous monitoring performance.

Status: This is an active, in-progress validation program, not a completed deployment. Field results from the pier installation will be added once deployment is underway.
Scripps Pier, San Diego

Follow the AquaSpectra validation program

Learn more about the COOL Lab collaboration, or get in touch about your own deployment.