The 13th annual Polar Technology Conference (PTC) will be hosted by Polar Field Services.
The PTC brings together polar scientists and technology developers to exchange information on research system operational needs and technology solutions for polar environments. This knowledge exchange helps scientists and engineers address issues of design, implementation, and deployment for systems that enable scientists and agencies to achieve their research goals in the polar regions. The PTC provides a space for those involved in polar technology challenges to “pop the hood” and discuss what works—and what does not.
Traditionally, participants hail from academia, state and federal agencies, the private sector, and non-governmental organizations. Presentations cover system requirements for proposed research along with descriptions of systems and approaches proven successful in polar deployments. Hardware and software topics include, for example, weather stations, robotics, power systems and storage, telemetry, and communications. Scale ranges from autonomous data collection towers to large scale research stations. Polar field sites include those under, on, and above the ice, tundra, or sea.
Discussions on intra- and international cooperation in site deployment and maintenance are encouraged. Informal breaks allow for networking and information exchange. A poster session is also included. Workshops have been held offering tutorial exchanges on specific technologies (e.g., power systems, Iridium). The PTC is pleased to have support from the National Science Foundation's Office of Polar Programs as an endorsement of the concept of bringing together providers and consumers of these technologies in hopes of benefiting from that synergy.