Research & Publications

URIL GITHUB REPOSITORY

 

Research Themes:

  • Deep-sea biology, sensing and exploration, which motivates all of our research
  • Lightweight, low-cost technology to reduce operational complexity, improve efficiency of innovation, and expand global capacity
  • Distributed fiber optic sensing, for high spatiotemporal resolution observations of temperature and acoustics
  • Low-light imaging, to reduce biological disturbance to and to observe bioluminescence
  • Manipulator and sampling systems, to make delicate and novel biological collections

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Patents

 

Publications (lab members in bold)

  • Gallagher AJ, de Silva C, Delaney D, Harris SD, Phillips BT, Shipley ON, Sulikowski JA, Duarte CM and Giddens J (2024) Novel behavioral observations and body scarring for the bluntnose sixgill shark (Hexanchus griseus) offer clues to reproductive patterns and potential mating events. Front. Mar. Sci. 11:1305487. doi: 10.3389/fmars.2024.1305487
  • Aldridge SE, Dixon OFL, de Silva C, Kohler JK, Shipley ON, Phillips BT, Fernandes TF, Austin T, Ormond RF, Gore MA, et al. Depth Range Extension for the Misty Grouper Hyporthodus mystacinus Documented via Deep-Sea Landers throughout the Greater Caribbean. Fishes. 2024; 9(4):114. https://doi.org/10.3390/fishes9040114
  • Dixon, O. F., De Silva, C., Phillips, B. T., & Gallagher, A. J. Expanded vertical niche for two species of pelagic sharks: depth range extension for the dusky shark Carcharhinus obscurus and novel twilight zone occurrence by the silky shark Carcharhinus falciformis. (2024) Environmental Biology of Fishes, 1-6. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10641-024-01527-0
  • Burns, J.; Becker, K.; Casagrande, D.; Daniels, J.; Roberts, P.; Orenstein, E.; Vogt, D.; Teo, Z.E.; Wood, R.; Yin, A.; Baptiste, G.; Gruber, D.; Katija, K.; Wood, R.; Phillips, B.T. “An in situ digital synthesis strategy for the discovery and description of ocean life.” (2024) Science Advances, 10:3 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adj4960
  • Burns, J.; Becker, K.; Casagrande, D.; Daniels, J.; Roberts, P.; Orenstein, E.; Vogt, D.; Teo, Z.E.; Wood, R.; Yin, A.; Baptiste, G.; Gruber, D.; Katija, K.; Wood, R.; Phillips, B.T. “Transcriptome sequencing of deep marine invertebrates” (2024) Sci. Data 11, 679.  DOI:10.1038/s41597-024-03533-4
  • Motsenbocker, B. E.; Noyes, T.J.; Runyan, A.T.; Shomberg, R.; Phillips, B.T.  PresTo: A liquid-filled camera for low-cost imaging in the deep sea.  (2024) Deep-Sea Research I, V.206 104263.  DOI: 10.1016/j.dsr.2024.104263.
  • Karp, M.; Edie, S.; Phillips, B. “Investigations into 3D-printed nautiloid-inspired pressure housings.” (2023) Bioinspiration & Biomimetics, doi: 10.1088/1748-3190/acfeb8
  • Claassens, L.; Phillips, B.; Ebert, D.A.; Delaney, D.; Henning, B.; Nestor, V.; Iliau, A.; Giddens, J. “First records of a sleeper shark Somniosus sp. in the Western Tropical Pacific.” (2023) Journal of Fish Biology.DOI: 10.1111/jfb.15487
  • Yin, A.; Shomberg, R.; Noel, J.; Daeffler, M.; Licht, S.; Phillips, B. “Rapid design and production of soft actuators using dynamic modeling and additive manufacturing for underwater soft actuators.” (2023) IEEE American Control Conference, San Diego, CA May 31-June 2 2023.
  • Smith, L.M., Cimoli, L., LaScala-Gruenewald, D., Pachiadaki, M., Phillips, B., Pillar, H., Stopa, J.E., Baumann-Pickering, S., Beaulieu, S.E., Bell, K.L., Harden-Davies, H., Gjerde, K.M., Heimbach, P., Howe, B., Janssen, F., Levin, L.A., Ruhl, H.A., Soule, A., Stocks, K., Vardaro, M.F., Wright, D.J. The Deep Ocean Observing Strategy: Addressing Global Challenges in the Deep Sea Through Collaboration. (2022) Marine Technology Society Journal, 56(3), pp.50-66. https://doi.org/10.4031/MTSJ.56.3.11
  • Capalbo, C.; Tomaino, D.; Bruno, F.; Rizzo, D.; Phillips, B.; Licht, S. “A soft robotic gripper with neutrally buoyant jamming pads for gentle yet secure grasping of underwater objects.” (2022) IEEE Journal of Oceanic Engineering, doi: 10.1109/JOE.2022.3156746.
  • Amon, D.J.; Rotjan, R. D.; Kennedy, B.R.C.; Alleng, G.; Anta, R.; Aram, E.; Gjerde, K.; Gobin, J.; Edwards, T.; Ford-Creary, M.; Henderson, L.; Hinds, R.; Hope, A.; Phillips, B.; Khan Ali, R.; Lanser, S.; Lewis, K.; Lochan, H.; MacLean, S.; Mwemwenikarawa, N.; Rimon, B.; Sarjursingh, S.; Tekiau, A.; Teemari, T.; Turchik, A.; Vallès, H.; Waysang, K.; Bell, K.L.C. “My Deep Sea, My Backyard: A pilot study to build capacity for global deep-ocean exploration and research.” (2022) Phil. Trans. Royal Soc. B. V.377:1854.  https://doi.org/10.1098/rstb.2021.0121
  • Sparks, J.S.; Chaloux, N.; Schelly, R.C.; Gruber, D.F.; Sparks, T.S; Phillips, B.T. “Description of a New Species of Rariphotic Parapercis (Perciformes: Pinguipedidae) from the Solomon Islands.” (2021) American Museum Novitates 3978, 1-12.  https://doi.org/10.1206/3978.1
  • Krechmer, J.; Phillips, B.; Chaloux, N.; Shomberg, R.; Daube, C.; Manchanda, G.; Murray, S.; McCarthy, A.; Fonseca, R.; Thakkar, J.; Loose, B.; Herndon, S.; Jayne, J.; Worsnop, D.; Canagaranta, M. “Chemical emissions from cured and uncured 3D-printed ventilator patient circuit medical parts.”  ( 2021) ACS Omega, 6, 30726-30733
  • Phillips, B.T; Chaloux, N.; Shomberg, R.; Muñoz-Soto, A.; Owens, J. “The Fiber Optic Reel System: A compact deployment solution for tethered live-telemetry deep-sea robots and sensors.” (2021) MDPI Sensors, 21(7), 2526
  • Chaloux, N.; Phillips, B.T.; Gruber, D.F; Schelly, R.C.; Sparks, J.S. (2021) “A novel fish sampling system for ROVs.” Deep-Sea Research I  v. 167.
  • Phillips, B.T. (2020) “New Techniques in Applying Additive Manufacturing to Deep-Sea Ocean Exploration.” (Invited Editorial) The Journal of Ocean Technology 15:1
  • Phillips, B.T.; Allder, J.; Bolan, G.; Nagle, R.S.; Redington, A.; Hellebrekers, T.; Borden, J.; Pawlenko, N.; Licht, S. “Additive manufacturing aboard a moving vessel at sea using passively stabilized stereolithography (SLA) 3D printing.” (2020) Additive Manufacturing, 31:100969
  • Phillips, B.T.; Licht, S.; Haiat, K.; Bonney, J.; Allder, J.; Chaloux, N.; Shomberg, R.; Noyes, T.  “DEEPi: a miniaturized, robust, and economical camera for deep-sea exploration.”  (2019) Deep-Sea Research I, 153:103-106.
  • Gruber, D.F.; Phillips, B.T.; O’Brien, R.; Boominathan, V.; Veeraraghavan, A.; Vasan, G.; O’Brien, P.; Pieribone, V.; Sparks, J. “Bioluminescent flashes drive nighttime schooling behavior and synchronized swimming dynamics in flashlight fish.” (2019) PLoS ONE 14(8):e0219852  https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0219852
  • Phillips, B.T.; Shipley, O.N.; Halvorsen, J.; Sternlicht, J.K.; Gallagher, A.J. (2019) “First in situ observations of the sharpnose sevengill shark (Heptranchias perlo), from the Tongue of the Ocean, Bahamas.” J. Ocean Science Foundation 32:17-22.
  • Phillips, B.T.; Becker, K.P.; Kurumaya, S.; Galloway, K.C.; Whittredge, G.; Vogt, D.; Teeple, C.; Rosen, M.H.; Pieribone, V.A.; Gruber, D.F.; Wood, R.J. (2018) “A dexterous, glove-based teleoperable low-power soft robotic arm for delicate deep-sea biological exploration.” Scientific Reports 8:14779.
  • Vogt, D.M.; Becker, K.P.; Phillips, B.T.; Graule, M.A.; Rotjan, R.D.; Shank, T.M.; Cordes, E.E.; Wood, R.J.; Gruber, D.F. (2018) “Shipboard design and fabrication of custom 3D-printed soft robotic manipulators for the investigation of delicate deep-sea organisms.” PLOS One, 0200386.
  • Teoh, Z.E.; Phillips, B.T.; Becker, K.P.; Weaver, J.; Gruber, D.; Hoberman, C.; Whittredge, G.; Wood, R. (2018) “Rotary-actuated folding polyhedrons for midwater sampling.” Science Robotics, Vol. 3, Issue 20, eaat5276. DOI: 10.1126/scirobotics.aat5276
  • Gruber, D.F.; Phillips, B.T.; Marsh, L.; Sparks, J.S. (2018) In situ observations of the meso-bathypelagic scyphozoan, Deepstaria enigmatica (Semaeostomeae: Ulmaridae). American Museum Novitates, n.3900. http://www.bioone.org/doi/pdf/10.1206/3900.1
  • Carey, S.; Wishner, K.; Siebe, C.; Kelley, K.; Phillips, B.; Roman, C.; Lubetkin, M.; Dominguez, E.M. (2018) Exploring and mapping the Revillagigedo Archipelago World Heritage Site in Mexico. In New Frontiers in Ocean Exploration. Editors: Raineault, N.; Flanders, J.; Bowman, A. Oceanography 31:1. doi:10.5670/oceanog.2018.supplement.01
  • Salinas de Leon, P.; Phillips, B.T.; Ebert, D.A., Shivji, M.; Cerutti-Pereyra, F.; Ruck, C.; Fisher, C.; Marsh, L. (2018) Deep-sea hydrothermal vents as natural egg-case incubators at the Galapagos Rift. Scientific Reports 8:1788. doi:10.1038/s41598-018-20046-4
  • Kurumaya, S.; Phillips, B.T.; Becker, K.P.; Rosen, M.H.; Gruber, D.F.; Galloway, K.C.; Suzumori, K.; Wood, R.J. (2018) A modular soft robotic wrist for underwater manipulation. Soft Robotics, April 2018 issue.
  • Phillips, B.T.; Gruber, D.F., Vasan, G., Pieribone, V.A., Sparks, J.S., Roman, C.N. (2016) “First evidence of bioluminescence on a ‘black smoker’ hydrothermal vent” Oceanography, 29:2 doi:10.5670/oceanog.2016.27
  • Phillips, B.T.; Dunbabin, M.; Henning, B.; Howell, C.; DeCiccio, A.; Flinders, A.F.; Kelley, K.A.; Scott, J.J., Albert, S.; Carey, S.; Tsdadok, R.; Grinham, A. “Exploring the ‘Sharkcano’: Biogeochemical observations of the Kavachi submarine volcano (Solomon Islands.” Oceanography 29:4 doi: 10.5670/oceanog.2016.85
  • Phillips, B.T. “Beyond the vent: new perspectives on hydrothermal plumes and pelagic biology.” Deep-Sea Research II doi:10.1016/j.dsr2.2016.10.005
  • Phillips, B.T., Gruber, D.F., Vasan, G., Roman, C.N., Pieribone, V., Sparks, J.S. (2016) “Observations of in situ deep-sea marine bioluminescence with a high-speed, high resolution sCMOS camera.” Deep-Sea Research I, 111. 102-109 doi:10.1016/j.dsr.2016.02.012 ,*cover image*
  • Galloway, K.C.; Becker, K.; Phillips, B.T.; Kirby, J.; Licht, S.; Tchernov, D.; Wood, R.J.; Gruber, D.F. (2016) “Soft robotic grippers for biological sampling on deep reefs.” Soft Robotics, 3:1 doi:10.1089/soro.2015.0019 ,*cover image*
  • Carey, S., Ballard, R., Bell, K. L., Bell, R. J., Connally, P., Dondin, F., Fuller, S., Gonbin, J., Miloslavish, P., Phillips, B.T., Roman, C., Seibel, B., Siu, N., Smart, C. (2014). Cold Seeps associated with a submarine debris avalanche deposit at Kick’em jenny volcano, Grenada (Lesser Antilles). Deep Sea Research Part I: Oceanographic Research Papers. doi:10.1016/j.dsr.2014.08.002
  • Carey, S., Bell, K. L., Sparks, S., Stinton, A., Ausubel, J., Phillips, B. T., … & Rodrigue, K. “Impact of Volcanic Eruptions on the Seafloor Around Montserrat, West Indies.” In Bell, K.L.C., M.L. Brennan, and N.A. Raineault, eds. 2014. New frontiers in ocean exploration: The E/V Nautilus 2013 Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean field season. Oceanography 27(1), supplement.
  • Dover, C.V.; Bell, K.L.C.; Marsh, L.; German, C.; John, B.; Cheadle, M.; Vecchione, M.; Amon, D.; Ball, B.; Copley, J.; Smart, C.; Fuller, S.A.; Phillips, B.T.; Cantner, L.; Auscavitch, S.; Ballard, R.D. (2014) “Exploration of the Mid-Cayman Rise”, in Bell, K.L.C., M.L. Brennan, and N.A. Raineault, eds. 2014. New frontiers in ocean exploration: The E/V Nautilus 2013 Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean field season. Oceanography 27(1), supplement.
  • Phillips, B.T.; Newman, J.; Gregory, T.S. (2011) “E/V Nautilus Vehicles”, in Bell, K.L.C., and S.A. Fuller, eds. 2011. New Frontiers in Ocean Exploration: The E/V Nautilus 2010 Field Season. Oceanography 24(1), supplement.
  • Phillips, B.T. (2012). “Practical Techniques to Increase Fiber-Optic Performance.” (Editorial) Sea Technology, 53(7), 7-7.
  • Phillips, B.T.; Kremer, P.; Madin, L.P. (2009) “The contribution of Salpa thompsoni to vertical flux in the Southern Ocean.” Marine Biology 156:455–467 doi:10.1007/s00227-008-1099-4
  • Phillips, B.T. and Bonavenia, A.J. “An MTS Student Chapter Hosting a High School ROV Competition: A Model for Technology Education” Proceedings of The Marine Technology Society Oceans Meeting, 2005. doi:10.1109/OCEANS.2005.1639857

Conference Presentations & Posters:

  • Yin, A.; Shomberg, R.; Noel, J.; Daeffler, M.; Licht, S.; Phillips, B. “Rapid design and production of soft actuators using dynamic modeling and additive manufacturing for underwater soft actuators.” (2023) IEEE American Control Conference, San Diego, CA May 31-June 2 2023.
  • Becker, J.; Beinart, R.; Soule, A.; Phillips, B. “High Spatiotemporal Observations of Temperature Variability at a Diffuse-Flow Hydrothermal Vent Field using Fiber Optic Distributed Temperature Sensing” AGU Annual Meeting, December 2022, Oral Presentation
  • Phillips, B.T.; Teoh, Z.E.; Becker, K.P.; Whittredge, G.; Weaver, J.; Hoberman, C.; Gruber, D.; Wood, R.J. “The RAD Sampler: Rotary-actuated folding polyhedrons for midwater investigation of delicate marine organisms.” AGU/ASLO Ocean Sciences Meeting, February 2020, oral presentation.
  • Bell, K.C.L; Rotjan, R.; Amon, D.; Kennedy, B.; Phillips, B.; Turchik, A.  “My Deep Sea, My Backyard: building deep sea capacity in big ocean developing states.” Poster, AGU Ocean Sciences Meeting, February 2020.
  • Phillips, B.T.; Salinas-de-Leon, P.; Ebert, D.A., Shivji, M.; Cerutti-Pereyra, F.; Ruck, C.; Fisher, C.; Marsh, L.  “Deep-sea hydrothermal vents as natural egg-case incubators at the Galapagos Rift.” Deep Sea Biology Meeting 2018, oral presentation.
  • Phillips, B.T.; Salinas-de-Leon, P.; Ebert, D.A., Shivji, M.; Cerutti-Pereyra, F.; Ruck, C.; Fisher, C.; Marsh, L.  “Deep-sea hydrothermal vents as natural egg-case incubators at the Galapagos Rift.” Deep Sea Biology Meeting 2018, oral presentation.
  • Sasson, K.H.; Phillips, B.T.; Carey, S.; Kelley, K.; Roman, C.N.; Siebe, C.; Domínguez, E.M.; Marsh, L.; Wishner, K.F. “Oxygen minimum zones and vertical zonation of benthic fauna in the Revillagigedo Archipelago, Mexico.” Deep Sea Biology Meeting 2018, poster.
  • Phillips, B.T.; Vogt, D.; Whittredge, G.; Kurumaya, S.; Becker, K.P.; Teeple, C.; Galloway, K.C.; Gruber, D.F.; Wood, R.J. “A soft robotic manipulator system for deep-sea biological sampling.” New England Manipulation Symposium, June 9, 2017; Northeastern University, Boston, MA (Oral presentation).
  • Phillips, B.T.; Vasan, G.; Pieribone, V.; Sparks, J.; Berkenpas, E.; Henning, B.; Turchick, A.; Wood, R.; Gruber, D. “Advancements in observing light-stimulated bioluminescence in the deep-sea water column.” ASLO 2017 Aquatic Sciences Meeting, February 2017 (Oral presentation).
  • Phillips, B.T.; Galloway, K.C.; Becker, K.P.; Wood, R.J.; Gruber, D.F. “Soft robotic grippers: a new technology for delicate sampling of deep-sea coral reefs.” 6th International Symposium on Deep-Sea Corals, September 2016. Oral Presentation.
  • Phillips, B.T. “Lightweight deep-sea exploration in the Solomon Islands.” National Geographic Explorers Symposium 2016. (Invited speaker).
  • Phillips, B.T. “Hydrothermal plumes and deep-sea pelagic biology: insights, challenges, and a new bioluminescence-based method for observing zooplankton distribution” Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Biology Seminar, February 2016. (Invited speaker)
  • Phillips, B.T. “Hydrothermal plume biology: assimilating 30 years of independent observations of microbiology, zooplankton, and tertiary consumers associated with hydrothermal plumes.” VentBase 2016 Workshop, Horta, Portugal, Oral presentation.
  • Phillips, B.T.; Gruber, D.F.; Vasan, G.; Roman, C.N.; Pieribone, V.A. “Turn up the lights: Deep-sea in situ application of a high-speed, high-resolution sCMOS camera to observe marine bioluminescence.” AGU Ocean Sciences Meeting 2016, Oral presentation.
  • Phillips, B.T.; Albert, S.; Carey, S.; DeCiccio, A.; Dunbabin, M.; Flinders, A.F.; Grinham, A.R.; Henning, B.; Howell, C.; Kelley, K.A.; Scott, J.J. “Exploring the ‘Sharkcano’: Biogeochemical observations of the Kavachi submarine volcano (Solomon Islands) using simple, cost-effective methods.” AGU Fall Meeting 2015, Poster.
  • Phillips, B.T. “Deep-sea mining and its potential impact on the biology of hydrothermal and volcanic plumes” Deep-Sea Biology Symposium 2015, Oral presentation.
  • Phillips, B.T. “Science and Its Publics”, Harvard University: Science, Technology and Society Workshop, April 2015 (Invited panelist)
  • Kremer, P; Harbou, L v; Phillips, B.T.; Madin, L.P. “Estimating grazing rates for the salp Salpa thompsoni.” AGU Ocean Sciences Meeting 2010, Oral presentation.
  • Phillips, B.T. and Kremer, P. (2007) “The contribution of salps to vertical flux in the Southern Ocean.” ASLO Aquatic Sciences Meeting 2007, Oral presentation.
  • Phillips, B.T.; Kremer, P.; Madin, L.P.; Godfrey, J.; Horgan, E. (2005) “Blue-Water Diving for Salps in the Southern Ocean.” AAUS Scientific Diving Conference, student poster and oral presentation.