George Ch. Miliaresis,

Establishing an R&D framework in SQU

http://miliaresis.tripod.com

Contents1. TOPOGRAPHIC & BASE

MAPPING 2. APPLICATIONS

• Natural Hazards, • Natural Resources, • Environ-metrics, • etc.

3. PROJECTS4. CONCLUSION

2

1.Topographic & Base Mapping from Modern Imagery

1.1 DEM (earth’s relief)

• Release of a Global DEM at 30 m resolution (free for all the world, including OMAN).

• It supports projects at a country and prefecture authority scale.

3

1.Topographic & Base Mapping from Modern Imagery

1.2. Multi-temporal biophysical data on day and night basis (4 times per 24 hours) since 2002 FOR FREE !. For example land surface temperature supporting agricultural, environmental, natural cover, urban, disease spread / occurrence studies.

4

1.Topographic & Base Mapping from Modern Imagery

1.3 Hyperion hypespectral data released for all the world

+3 spectral libraries

5

1.Topographic & Base Mapping from Modern Imagery

1.4. Active microwave (imaging radar data) is released for all the world since 1990 by NASA while ESA (European Space Agency) is releasing advanced multi-frequency multi-polarization microwave data (the processing software is given for free through the WEB). These data sources give great opportunities fro studying both earth surface and subsurface (penetrating capabilities of certain frequencies). Applications in biomass, vegetation studies, lithologic mapping, tectonics, water resources, etc.

6

Spatio-temporal change f(t, space),

1. Biophysical data (eg. LST, SST, humidity, albedo, landcover, etc.)

2. Time dependent objects

3. Multi-temporal data analysis

(day/night) LST decision making [in ny GIS/RS soft]

1.5 Spatial temporal methods and advanced decision support is available in modern remote sensing software

Key points:

a) Biophysical data,

b) Terrain partition scheme,

c) Assign biophysical data to objects

d) Use biophysical data in decision making processing chain

7

1.Topographic & Base Mapping from Modern Imagery

1.6. Actually up to know we have presented PUBLIC DOMAIN data capabilities that were released and they are available for free to everyone to build applications and processing techniques.

Nowadays there are both ULTRA HIGH SPATIAL RESOLUTION And ULTRA SPECTRAL RESOLUTION datasets ! It means that extremely high spatial and spectral resolution datasets are available that

provide pictures of earth surface at unbelievable detail: For example

1. Terra-SAR a DLR (German) satellite project that creates a digital surface model of earth at centimeter accuracy. A fraction of earth is ready,the project is estimated to map the whole earth surface in three years.

2. Mult-temporal Space LIDARs are planned (Actually I participate in one such mission, ZEARTH) that will give the opportunity to study the dynamic deformation of earth surface through time for the whole earth (tectonic deformation, gravity flows, landslides, flash floods deposits, variation in the height of vegetation cover, urban development, etc.

3. Etc.These datasets are provided at a commercial price. On the other hand, the private

companies do provide these datasets to universities for free to develop explore their capabilities and to develop applications.

8

In order to support the prefecture authority of ILIA to handle floods hazard after 2007 wild fires, I developed various techniques that are presented in my web page (see the power point files presenting methods implementation)

2. APPLICATIONS: Floods

9

2. APPLICATIONS: Landslides

The National landslides database of the Ministry of Public Works of Greece was used to develop landslide hazard prediction maps on the basis of lithology, landcover, elevation in order to redesign the national road network.

10

2. APPLICATIONS: Thermal mappingThe last 3 years I was in involved in thermal mapping. I

developed new techniques in processing A) of long time series of LST / SST data and B) LST data standardization. Thus, the following applications were derived

a) Geothermal field mappingb) Identification of active tectonic zonesc) Environmental suitability of spatial objectsd) Mapping of thermal inertia of rocks (lithologies) diurnal

LST (Miliaresis 2012, IntJRS)e) Climatic change assessment, Etc.The Italian National Research Organisation is

interested in using my techniques for thermal anomaly identification on the basis of rocks thermal inertia since they believe that long term positive LST anomaly is related to oil fields if active tectonics, geothermal activity excluded.

The Ministry of Defence in Europe, USA are interested in using my techniques for multi-temporal LST imagery standardization in order to assist thermal target recognition in coastal regions.

PapersMiliaresis G., 2012. Elevation, latitude and longitude decorrelation stretch of multi-temporal near-diurnal LST

imagery. Int. J. of Remote Sensing. (accepted).Miliaresis, 2012.  Selective variance reduction of multi-temporal LST imagery in the East Africa Rift

System.  Earth Science Informatics, doi: 10.1007/s12145-011-0091-6 [to appear].Miliaresis G., 2012. Elevation, latitude/longitude decorrelation stretch of multi-temporal LST imagery.

Photogrammetric Engineering & Remote Sensing, 87(2), 10 pages  Miliaresis G., Tsatsaris A., 2011. Mapping the spatial and temporal pattern of day-night temperature

difference in Greece. GIScience & Remote Sensing, 48(2):210-224, Miliaresis G. and K.ST. Seymour, 2011. Mapping the spatial & temporal SST variations in Red Sea,

revealing a geothermal anomaly. Int. J. of Remote Sensing, 32(07):1825-1842. Zouzias D., Miliaresis G., Seymour, K.ST. 2011. Probable regional geothermal field reconnaissance in the

Aegean Region. Environmental Earth Sciences, 62(4):717-723 Miliaresis G., Partsinevelos P., 2010. Terrain Segmentation of Egypt from Multi-temporal Night LST Imagery

and Elevation Data. Remote Sensing , 2: 2083-2096. Miliaresis G. , Tsatsaris A., 2010. Thermal terrain modeling of spatial objects, a tool for environmental and

climatic change assessment. Environmental Monitoring & Assessment, 164:561-572, Miliaresis G., 2009. Regional thermal and terrain modeling of the Afar Depression from multi-temporal night

LST data. Int. J. of Remote Sensing, 30(9):2429–2446,  

11

The terrain partition framework is defined by the borderlines of prefecture authorities of Greece.

The terrain is segmented to regions on the basis of the multi-temporal LST data & elevation , each region presenting a different thermal signature.

The thermal regions are used in the spatial objects parametric representation and a new

index is devised (LST climatic index) expressing the biophysical suitability of spatial objects.

2. APPLICATIONS: Biophysical suitability

12

2. APPLICATIONS: global biomass estimate

A method was presented that improved the Global estimates of biomass on the basis of active (microwave) remote sensing systems of different wavelength. DSM &

DTM (digital terrain model) were used

13

2. APPLICATIONS : Crisis monitoring & assessment of

burned areas, landcover change

Miliaresis G. 2008. Monitoring/Impact of Wild Fires of the August 2007 in Ilia Prefecture. Mountain GIS, ICIMOD,

14

The building class extraction from high-resolution urban DEMs (2m) is of primary importance in many applications, and provides the partition framework for biophysical parameters integration in city environment.

2. APPLICATIONS: advanced segmentation of LIDAR

DEMs

15

2. APPLICATIONS: MODIS assists disease risk /spatial distribution

Segmentation outlined the temporal variation of LST,

grouped in 9 zones each one presenting a distinct annual

variation of LST. Tuberculosis incidence was correlated to the percentage areal occurrence of

the 9 biophysical zones.

16

1. Working without a project2. Working with a project3. Project writing4. University projects5. Support of projects

To get a project first you should have worked without a project (present results, cases studies, lectures, labs, student thesis, papers). If you try to get a project by presenting just a proposal, there is the danger to destroy university reputation. The project should serve:

• Governmental organizations and/or local/international industry

• University (train students, maintenance of labs, etc.)

• Science (through publications, etc.)

if you just write a proposal and then you hire others eg. individuals or companies to do the job then the next time, companies/etc. will ignore you and go directly to the funding source to get the project at a reduced price.

1. You might co-operate with companies in a project but you will do a part of the project while companies wile implement another part..

2. Nowadays the companies are very strong in scientific knowledge and a University MUST BE better in a field than the COMPANIES in order to co-operate.

3. PROJECT PRACTISE

17

3.1 AN EXAMPLE of working WITHOUT a project

• Write lectures & labs in ADVANCED REMOTE SENSING & TERRAIN MODELLING TECHNIQUES (spectral mapping, thermal mapping, terrain modeling, floods, environmetrics) free access from my web page. Detail instructions for use of data sources (eg, Hyperion, MODIS) and the processing steps (in a specific software environments) will be given.

• Assign postgraduate (MSc) thesis [2 students per thesis] in the field of:– THERMAL MAPPING (identify lithological differences on the basis of

thermal inertia, geothermal anomalies, oil fields, and active tectonic zones) [joint supervision with Geology Department].

– Terrain Modeling, (flood hazard, basin hydrology, mass movement, landslides) from high resolution DEMs [joint supervision with Engineering Department].

– Spectral Mapping (identify minerals from Hyperion Imagery, refine the spectral library of USGS with the mineral signatures of Oman), [joint supervision with Geology Department]

– Environ-metrics (urban planning, biophysical mapping, agriculture) [ joint supervision with Agricultural Department].

– TOPOGRAPHIC MAPPING & BASE MAPPING from high resolution and ultra spectral imagery [joint supervision with Surveying Department]

• Publish in Journals and Conferences as well as in Governmental workshops.

18

3.2 AN EXAMPLE of working WITH a project

• The two student that finished their thesis in six months, under the supervision of me, and/or staff of other departments) will form a team with their supervisors:

• The team will ask for a project from a national organization (or a private company) that will support – the 2 students during their PhD, new MSc/PhD students, the

infrastructure of the University (software, hardware, field work equipment, lab maintenance), etc. possibly in this project consulting fees for the SQU personnel might be gained.

• RESULTS= journal papers, PhDs & Master Thesis

THIS IS THE FIRST STEP, that upon successful implementation, a greater project for SQU will be gained. Remember that it is impossible to WORK with a PROJECT, if you have not WORK without a PROJECT before !

1. SQU students should use updated modern imagery.2. The students should be capable of applying routine processing of satellite

imagery (geometric & radiometric correction, thematic mapping eg, classification, etc.) in well known software environments.

3. High level students will be a real advertisement of SQU. 4. These students will further develop their skills through projects.

19

3.3 Project writing

• A project is formed of 2 pages with appropriate references to web pages (for SQU courses & labs, thesis, SQU papers, etc. )

• The first page includes,– The aim, – The methods (software,

algorithms, field work)– The data– The participants– References to lectures, lab

exercises, given in SQU in this field

– Thesis implemented (SQU)– Publications

• The second page includes– The time-table– The deliverables (maps, etc.)– The funding needs software, field

work,, PhD students support etc.)

In closing project writing is not journal paper writing.

In order to get a project, serving of • the society, • SQU, • country, • students, • private-public companies in this

country• etc. are required.

20

3.4 University projects:

TEAM PROJECT participation

(a group of me & the students I supervise + other TEAMS of my colleagues+ other colleagues of

us )

Assuming that the following conditions are fulfilled:

• Existing work of mine is presented in my web page, while courses and labs are available in my web page

• Students have attended a course of mine in this field and/or implement a thesis and/or Journal/conference papers of us exist in this field.

• My participation (including the students, the staff working with me) is specified explicitly in 2 pages description.

• The project should lead to papers.

CONSULTING SERVICES• A company might request me

and/or other colleagues for consulting services– I shall participate if an

agreement is reached. – It is business, no science, – May be no journal papers,

since industry usually keep usually the results secret for commercial purposes

• In USA, University Staff with common interests usually form companies (under the University supervision and support) in order to be competitive to private companies.

– This framework also support students after they have finished their studies and look for a job.

– At the same time innovating companies are created in the country.

21

3.5 PROJECT ADMINISTRATION– At least one secretary should exists for project administrative

work – A computer scientist is needed on a permanent basis (for

software & network maintenance, distribution of licenses, lab maintenance, etc.)

– TESTING-EVALUATION SITE of REMOTE SENSING, DEMs & GIS DATA for OMAN < A spatial database serving OMAN >

• A remote sensing/GIS scientist (at the master level) should exists for updating the spatial database of the center with updated remote sensing imagery/GIS data that will be distributed to the university users for training. Actually this database will be a WEB GIS (special training is required, eg. the MSC scientist might attend a special 3 months course in ArcGIS WEB GIS setup either in Middle East or in Europe)

• The MSc scientist will take care for the majority of data to cover the same region and he will integrate every project data to the database.

• The MSc scientist will guarantee that the datasets (acquired from projects etc.) will be backed up and distributed/exchanged upon SQU permission with Governmental Organizations. Thus the SQU will support organizations and these public organizations might ask SQU to participate to projects, to provide consultancy services, to train them, etc.

THIS IS THE ONLY WAY to build industrial applications ON TIME.