Romanian research centre reaches new heights in remote sensing
The science of climate change is complex and many aspects are still not fully understood. Light detection and ranging (lidar) is an optical remote sensing technology with great potential in this area. The Romanian Lidar Centre (ROLICE) is the country’s only atmospheric research organisation involved in laser remote sensing. However, a lack of funds is holding back its full potential. The EU-funded DELICE (Developing the emerging research potential of Romanian Lidar Centre) project set out to increase the Centre’s research capacity. Project partners purchased, installed and tested new equipment, namely a microwave radiometer, an aerosol mass spectrometer and a sodar (sonic detection and ranging). They also upgraded the most important existing equipment, including lidars and an aeronet sunphotometer. Currently, all new and existing instruments are operational. Researchers mobilised human resources to achieve a critical mass with respect to manpower and expertise. It hired supplementary personnel, developed the expertise of team members via secondments to participating laboratories, and strengthened collaboration with Romanian experts working abroad. In total, six people were trained at laboratories, nine by experts, two instruments were optimised and quality assured, and three people participated in workshops and field campaigns. The research capacity of Romania’s National Institute of R&D for Optoelectronics was strengthened through experts and young researchers and by reinforcing non-research activities. To this end, a market liaison office was established within ROLICE, and research and marketing personnel were recruited. In addition, 16 proposals were submitted, 3 of which were approved and 10 are under evaluation. Collaboration with three Romanian experts working abroad was also formalised. To bolster cooperation and improve networking, the ROLICE team organised an international conference, participated in numerous conferences and published 25 scientific papers. Thanks to DELICE, the redesigned state-of-the-art laboratories, trained personnel, and strengthened collaborations at national, regional and EU levels have helped to transform ROLICE into one of the most advanced and complex remote sensing centres in Europe.
Keywords
Remote sensing, lidar, Romanian Lidar Centre, DELICE
