Memorial researchers test Sound Speed Profiling prototype

From the Springboard Content Lab and Memorial University

A research team from Springboard member Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador has tested a technology that uses a remote, pulse-echo acoustic technique from the ocean environment to estimate Sound Speed Profiling (SSP).

This method eliminates the need for physical probe deployment.

The tests led by Dr. Len Zedel and his PhD student, Mohammad Mousavi, were conducted at The Launch in Holyrood in the summer of 2025.

Sound Speed Profiling is essential for subsea applications like hydrography, seafloor mapping and underwater navigation.

This prototype will reduce operational disruption, potentially lower costs, and have applicability even in harsh sea conditions.

Our Holyrood field test was another step toward making remote SSP measurement a practical tool for ocean science and industry.

Special thanks to Georgia Lee and Shane Anderson for their tremendous help during the experiments.

This research was made possible through the support of The Launch, Marine Institute, Canada’s Ocean Supercluster, Research Innovation Office, Memorial University.

Memorial is a member of the Springboard Network of 19 post-secondary institutions in Atlantic Canada. Our mission is to grow the economy through the commercialization of research and projects between industry and academia.