Phone:: (023) 8059 7322
Email:: B.Thornton@soton.ac.uk

Dr Blair Thornton

Associate Professor of Oceanic Engineering Science

Related links: Personal homepage

Blair Thornton is an Associate Professor of Oceanic Engineering Science within Engineering at the University of Southampton.

His research interests are in sensing and autonomy in the context of marine science. His research is dedicated to fielding real systems in real environments, and overcoming bottlenecks in the flow of information from data collection to human interpretation. For more information on research activities, please visit the ocean perception website.

Keywords: Spectroscopy, Computer vision, Marine robotics, Autonomy

Research

Publications

Contact

Research interests

3D visual mapping for wide-area benthic surveys

Laser-induced plasmas for in situ multi-element chemical analysis at sea

Acoustic and 3D visual mapping of the volumetric distribution of manganese crusts

In situ measurement of seafloor radioactivity off Fukushima

Conferences

Thornton, B. (2018). 3D visual mapping and in situ plasma spectroscopy for seabed survey. Abstract from The 61st Marine Measurement Forum (MMF), London, United Kingdom.
Lim, J. W., Hopkinson, P., Harris, M., Thornton, B., Prugel-Bennett, A., & Teagle, D. (2018). Automated analysis of borehole core imagery from Oman drilling project hole GT2A. Abstract from Japan Geoscience Union Meeting, Chiba, Japan.
Lim, J. W., Prugel-Bennett, A., & Thornton, B. (2018). Automated interpretation of seafloor visual maps obtained using underwater robots. Paper presented at Oceans 2018, Kobe, Japan.
Ohki, T., Nakatani, T., Nishida, Y., & Thornton, B. (2018). Fast and ultra-wide area bathymetric survey system without support vessel. Paper presented at Oceans 2018, Kobe, Japan.
Nakajima, Y., Yamamoto, J., Takahashi, T., Dodbiba, G., Thornton, B., & Fujita, T. (2018). Measurement of metal grade of ore particles in slurry using laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy. Paper presented at Oceans 2018, Kobe, Japan.
Nishida, Y., Nagano, K., Kojima, J., Kakami, H., Yokota, S., Ohki, T., ... Thornton, B. (2018). Unmanned surface vehicle for managing parallel cruising of a multiple AUVs. Paper presented at Oceans 2018, Kobe, Japan.
Takahashi, T., Thornton, B., Sato, T., Ohki, T., Ohki, K., & Sakka, T. (2017). A real-time chemical analysis of rocks at the bottom of the deep-sea Development of a quantitative analytical method: Development of a quantitative analytical method. In The Proceedings of JSME annual Conference on Robotics and Mechatronics (Robomec) Japan Society of Mechanical Engineers. DOI: 10.1299/jsmermd.2016.1A2-16b2
Thornton, B., Yoshino, S., & Takahashi, T. (2017). Analysis of underwater long-pulse LIBS signals using artificial neural networks. Abstract from 9th Euro-Mediterranean Symposium on LIBS, Italy.
Thornton, B., Bodenmann, A., Pizarro, O., & Williams, S. B. (2017). Application of multi-hectare 3D visual maps for deep-sea Megabenthic survey. Abstract from Marine Imaging Workshop 2017, Kiel, Germany.
Neettiyah, U., Thornton, B., Sangekar, M., Ishii, K., Sato, T., Bodenmann, A., & Ura, T. (2017). Automatic extraction of thickness information from sub-surface acoustic measurements of manganese crusts. Paper presented at OCEANS'17 MTS/IEEE, Aberdeen, United Kingdom.
Nishida, Y., Nagahashi, K., Sato, T., Bodenmann, A., Thornton, B., Asada, A., & Ura, T. (2017). Autonomous survey system of underwater manganese crusts using acoustic and visual instruments. In The Proceedings of JSME annual Conference on Robotics and Mechatronics (Robomec) (Vol. 2016). Japan Society of Mechanical Engineers. DOI: 10.1299/jsmermd.2016.1A2-17b2
Thornton, B. (2017). Habitat mapping with 3D visual reconstructions. Abstract from Tottori International Gas Hydrate Seminar, Tottori, Japan.
Thornton, B., Takahashi, T., Yoshino, S., Sato, T., Sakka, T., Ohki, T., ... Takaya, Y. (2017). Quantitative elemental analysis of water-submerged solids using PLS with temperature segmented database for LIBS. In Proceedings of the 9th International Conference on Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy using PLS with temperature segmented database for LIBS Universite De Lyon.
Thornton, B., Takahashi, T., & Sakka, T. (2017). Reflections on 5 years of LIBS deployment for deep-sea research. In Reflections on 5 years of LIBS Deployment for Deep-Sea Research
Yoshino, S., Thornton, B., & Takahashi, T. (2017). Towards in-situ chemical classification of seafloor deposits: Application of Neural Networks to underwater Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy. In Oceans 2017 Aberdeen IEEE Press.
Thornton, B. (2016). 3D reconstruction and deep-sea LIBS. Abstract from ELSI, NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory & SETI Workshop on Astrobiology, Tokyo, Japan.
Takahashi, T., Thornton, B., Sato, T., Ohki, T., Ohki, K., & Sakka, T. (2016). A real-time chemical analysis of rocks at the bottom of the deep sea: Development of a quantitative analytical method. In Proceedings of the 2016 JSME Conference on Robotics and Mechantronics, Yokohama, Japan, June 8-11 2016
Takahashi, T., Thornton, B., Sato, T., Ohki, T., Ohki, K., & Sakka, T. (2016). A real-time chemical analysis of rocks at the bottom of the Deep-sea - Development of a quantitative analytical method. Abstract from 9th International Conference on Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy, Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, France.
Thornton, B., Ohnishi, S., Kamada, S., & Koike, T. (2016). Analysis of cesium-bearing particles included in the sediments sampled by a ROV in Fukushima coastal waters. In Autumn Meeting of the Atomic Energy Society of Japan 2016 Atomic Energy Society of Japan.
Otsuki, Y., Thornton, B., Maki, T., Nishida, Y., Bodenmann, A., & Nagano, K. (2016). Autonomous adaptive path planning of multi resolution visual surveys based on scene complexity. In AUV 2016 Workshop
Nishida, Y., Nagahashi, K., Sato, T., Bodenmann, A., Thornton, B., Asada, A., & Ura, T. (2016). Autonomous survey system of manganese crusts using acoustic and visual instruments. In Robomec 2016
Thornton, B. (2016). Becoming a centre at the centre. Abstract from CUTech Workshop, Tokyo, Japan.
Thornton, B., Bodenmann, A., Pizarro, O., Williams, S. B., Nakajima, R., & Takai, K. (2016). Benthic Habitat mapping in the Iheya North Hydrothermal Field. Abstract from Japan Geoscience Union Meeting 2016, Toyko, Japan.
Thornton, B. (2016). Biometric assessment of deep-sea vent megabenthic communities using multi-resolution 3D visual maps. Abstract from CUTech and AORI Joint Seminar , Tokyo, Japan.
Thornton, B., Takahashi, T., Sato, T., Sakka, T., Ohki, T., & Ohki, K. (2016). Deep-sea laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy and its application to hydrothermal mineral surveys in the Okinawa Trough. In Ocean Sciences Meeting 2016 [IS52A-02] American Geophysical Union.
Nakajima, Y., Sato, T., Thornton, B., Dobiba, G., & Fujita, T. (2016). Development of seafloor mineral processing for Seafloor Massive Sulfides. In 2013 Techno-Ocean IEEE. DOI: 10.1109/Techno-Ocean.2016.7890632
Thornton, B. (2016). Instant ocean and a blue economy. Abstract from Workshop for Ocean Technology Visions in 2051, Tokyo, Japan.
Snyder, G., Matsumoto, R., Aoki, S., Bodenmann, A., Mehul, S., Thornton, B., ... Pizarro, O. (2016). Measurement and mapping of dissolved methane distribution in the Sea of Japan: Influence of shallow gas hydrate deposits. Abstract from Japan Geoscience Union Meeting 2016, Toyko, Japan.
Iijima, K., Masaki, Y., Thornton, B., Usui, A., Nishi, K., Suzuki, K., ... Kaneko, J. (2016). Microtopographies around southwestern ridge of Takuyo-daigo seamount obtained by AUV "Urashima". Poster session presented at Japan Geoscience Union Meeting 2016, Toyko, Japan.
Massot-Campos, M., Oliver, G., Bodenmann, A., & Thornton, B. (2016). Submap bathymetric SLAM using structured light in underwater environments. Paper presented at Autonomous Underwater Vehicles 2016 (AUV 2016), Japan.
Yelameli, M., Thornton, B., Takahashi, T., Weerkoon, T., Takemura, Y., & Ishii, K. (2016). Support vector machine based classification of seafloor rock types measured underwater using Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy. In Oceans 2016 Shanghai IEEE Press. DOI: 10.1109/OCEANSAP.2016.7485507
Thornton, B. (2016). Systemising deep sea research. Abstract from 48th Underwater Panel, Tokyo, Japan.
Thornton, B., Bodenmann, A., Nakajima, R., Williams, S. B., Pizarro, O., & Takai, K. (2016). Wide area 3D visual reconstructions to survey the distribution of macrobenthos in deep-sea hydrothermal vent systems. In Ocean Sciences Meeting 2016 [IS53A-07] American Geophysical Union.
Nakajima, Y., Thornton, B., & Sato, T. (2015). Application of laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy for In-situ measurement of metal grade for seafloor mineral processing. In IEEE Washington OCEANS'15 MTS IEEE. DOI: 10.23919/OCEANS.2015.7404482
Thornton, B., Bodenmann, A., Kawagucci, S., Nakajima, R., & Takai, K. (2015). Application of visual 3D mapping to assess changes in a hydrothermally active area. Abstract from JAMSTEC Blue Earth’15, .
Thornton, B. (2015). Collaborative operation of an ASV and AUV for survey of manganese crust. Abstract from 55th Forum on Underwater Engineering Technology, Tokyo, Japan.
Thornton, B., Takahashi, T., Sato, T., Ohki, T., Ohki, K., & Sakka, T. (2015). Comparison of methods for quantitative analysis of submerged solids for application to deep-sea LIBS. Abstract from Euro-Mediterranean Symposium on Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy 2015, Linz, Austria.
Thornton, B. (2015). Deep-sea laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy. Abstract from PACIFICHEM 2015, Honolulu, United States.
Takahashi, T., Thornton, B., Sato, T., Ohki, T., Ohki, K., & Sakka, T. (2015). Development of a deep-sea chemical analytic device: Real-time chemical sensing using laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy. In Proceedings of the 2015 JSME Conference on Robotics and Mechantronics, Kyoto, Japan, May 17-19 2015
Thornton, B., Sakka, T., Takahashi, T., Sato, T., Matsumoto, A., Ohki, T., & Ohki, K. (2015). Development of a deep-sea LIBS instrument and its application to hydrothermal mineral surveys in the Okinawa Trough. Abstract from Euro-Mediterranean Symposium on Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy 2015, Linz, Austria.
Takahashi, T., Thornton, B., Sato, T., Ohki, T., Ohki, K., & Sakka, T. (2015). Development of a deep-sea real-time elemental sensor using laser spectroscopy. In The 25th Ocean Engineering Symposium
Nishida, Y., Sato, T., Nagahashi, K., Bodenmann, A., Thornton, B., Asada, A., & Ura, T. (2015). Development of an autonomous underwater vehicle for survey of cobalt-rich manganese crust. In IEEE Washington OCEANS'15 MTS IEEE. DOI: 10.23919/OCEANS.2015.7404606
Murata, K., Thornton, B., Nagano, K., & Ohnishi, S. (2015). Generation of 137Cs surface distribution maps using dense measurement transects of a towed gamma-ray spectrometer. In IEEE Washington OCEANS'15 MTS IEEE. DOI: 10.23919/OCEANS.2015.7404517
Thornton, B., & Bodenmann, A. (2015). High altitude 3D visual mapping of the Iheya North Field. Abstract from InterRidge 2015, Japan.
Thornton, B., & Bodenmann, A. (2015). High altitude 3D visual technology and applications. Abstract from 56th Forum on Underwater Engineering Technology, Tokyo, Japan.
Neettiyah, U., Sato, T., Sangekar, M., Bodenmann, A., Thornton, B., Ura, T., & Asada, A. (2015). Identification of manganese crusts in 3D visual reconstructions to filter geo-registered acoustic sub-surface measurements. In IEEE Washington OCEANS'15 MTS IEEE. DOI: 10.23919/OCEANS.2015.7404471
Thornton, B., Takahashi, T., Sato, T., Ohki, T., Ohki, K., Nozaki, T., ... Sakka, T. (2015). In situ chemical analysis of rocks and sediments using a deep-sea chemical camera. In Proceedings JAMSTEC Blue Earth’15, Tokyo
Takahashi, T., Thornton, B., Sato, T., Ohki, T., Ohki, K., & Sakka, T. (2015). Methods for quantitative analysis of submerged solids for application to deep-sea LIBS. Abstract from PACIFICHEM 2015, Honolulu, United States.
Thornton, B., Ohnishi, S., Kamada, S., Hirao, Y., Ura, T., & Odano, N. (2015). Monitoring of the distribution of radioactive material in the ocean: Description of methods: Part 1. Abstract from 2015 Autumn Workshop of the Atomic Energy Society of Japan, Japan.
Thornton, B., Kamada, S., Ohnishi, S., Hirao, Y., Ura, T., & Odano, N. (2015). Monitoring of the distribution of radioactive material in the ocean: Description of methods: Part 2. Abstract from 2015 Autumn Workshop of the Atomic Energy Society of Japan, Japan.
Thornton, B., Odano, N., Nagao, S., Ohnishi, S., Kamada, S., & Asami, M. (2015). Monitoring of the distribution of radioactive material in the ocean: Overview of activities and results. Abstract from 2015 Autumn Workshop of the Atomic Energy Society of Japan, Japan.
Matsumoto, A., Tokumaru, A., Koda, R., Fukami, K., Ogata, Y., Nishi, N., ... Sakka, T. (2015). Quantitative elemental analysis of trace metal ions in aqueous solutions by underwater LIBS combined with pre-concentration by electrodeposition. Paper presented at The Asian Symposium on Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy, Wuhan, China.
Matsumoto, A., Tamura, A., Fukami, K., Nishi, N., Thornton, B., Amano, K., ... Sakka, T. (2015). Quantitative multi-element analysis of heavy metal ions in an aqueous solution by electrodeposition-assisted underwater laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy. Abstract from PACIFICHEM 2015, Honolulu, United States.
Thornton, B. (2015). Survey of 137Cs in marine sediments off Tohoku using towed gamma-ray spectroscopy. Paper presented at World Engineering Conference and Convention 2015, Kyoto, Japan.
Sato, T., Thornton, B., Takahashi, T., Sakka, T., Ohki, T., & Ohki, K. (2015). Towards real -time quantification of seawater composition using laser induced breakdown spectroscopy. In Oceans 2015
Thornton, B., Bodenmann, A., & Ura, T. (2014). 10m altitude 3D visual mapping of the seafloor. Abstract from Workshop for Application of AUVs to Hydrothermal Vent Surveys, Kanagawa, Japan.
Thornton, B. (2014). Applied sensing for deep-sea mineral exploration. Abstract from Techno-Ocean 2014, Kobe, Japan.
Thornton, B., Matsumoto, A., Tamura, A., Kubotsu, K., Kawasaki, A., Fukami, K., ... Sakka, T. (2014). Effect of laser fluence on atomic density ratio in the plasma produced by ns laser ablation on a Cu-Zn alloy. Abstract from Advanced Nanoparticle generation and Exctitation by Lasers in Liquids, Matsuyama, Japan.
Thornton, B. (2014). In situ analysis of seawater and mineral composition using laser induced breakdown spectroscopy. Abstract from 16th Workshop on Underwater Technology, Tokyo, Japan.
Thornton, B. (2014). In situ analysis of seawater and mineral composition using laser induced breakdown spectroscopy. Abstract from Symposium of the Society for Mineral Exploration, Tokyo, Japan.
Thornton, B., Sato, T., Asada, A., Bodenmann, A., Painumgal , U. V., Nagahashi, K., ... Iijima, K. (2014). Investigation of acoustic thickness measurement and 3D visual mapping of manganese deposits at the Takuyo #5 seamount. Abstract from JAMSTEC Blue Earth’14, Tokyo, Japan.
Thornton, B. (2014). Manganese crust survey technology. Abstract from JMEX Deep-sea Mining Workshop, Tokyo, Japan.
Thornton, B. (2014). Mapping of seafloor radioactivity using a towed gamma-ray detector. Abstract from Techno-Ocean 2014, Kobe, Japan.
Tamura, A., Matsumoto, A., Fukami, K., Thornton, B., Nishi, N., & Sakka, T. (2014). Observation of nascent plasmas generated underwater during laser induced breakdown spectroscopy. In Proceedings of Symposium on applications of advanced measurement technologies
Takahashi, T., Thornton, B., Sato, T., Ohki, K., & Sakka, T. (2014). Quantitative chemical analysis of submerged solids using calibration-free laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy. In Oceans 2014 St. Johns IEEE Press. DOI: 10.1109/OCEANS.2014.7003114
Thornton, B. (2014). Radioactivity off Fukushima. Abstract from 16th Workshop on Underwater Technology, Tokyo, Japan.
Thornton, B., Ohnishi, S., & Odano, N. (2014). Survey of 137-cesium in marine sediments. In Proceedings of 25th OES symposium Japan Society of Naval Architechts and Ocean Engineers.
Thornton, B., Ohba, H., Saeki, M., Ito, C., Takano, M., Sakka, T., & Wakaida, I. (2014). Underwater analysis of (U,Zr) O2 using laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS). Abstract from 8th International Conference on Laser Induced-breakdown Spectroscopy, Beijing, China.
Thornton, B., Sakka, T., Tamura, A., Matsumoto, A., Fukami, K., & Nishi, N. (2014). Underwater laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy: Optimisation of the plasma and cavitation bubble for clear observation of atomic spectral lines. Abstract from SciX 2014, Reno, United States.
Bodenmann, A., Thornton, B., & Ura, T. (2014). Visual 3D mapping to measure hydrothermal deposit growth rates at a man-made deep sea vent. In Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUV), 2014 IEEE/OES DOI: 10.1109/AUV.2014.7054421
Bodenmann, A., Thornton, B., & Ura, T. (2013). Development of long range color imaging for wide area 3D reconstructions of the seafloor. In Underwater Technology Symposium (UT), 2013 IEEE International
Takahashi, T., Thornton, B., & Ura, T. (2013). Investigation of long-pulse laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy for analysis of the composition of rock and sediment samples submerged in seawater. In Oceans 2013 San Diego MTS/IEEE. DOI: 10.23919/OCEANS.2013.6741263
Sato, T., Thornton, B., Bodenmann, A., Asada, A., & Ura, T. (2013). Towards real-time control of a double gimbaled acoustic probe for measurement of manganese crusts thickness. In 2013 IEEE International Underwater Technology Symposium (UT) DOI: 10.1109/UT.2013.6519880
Bodenmann, A., Thornton, B., Nakajima, R., Yamamoto, H., & Ura, T. (2013). Wide area 3D seafloor reconstruction and its application to sea fauna density mapping. In Oceans 2013 Sandiego DOI: 10.23919/OCEANS.2013.6741280
Takahashi, T., Thornton, B., & Ura, T. (2012). Double-pulse laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy for analysis of the composition of solid submerged at high pressures. In The 23rd Ocean Engineering Symposium
Takahashi, T., Thornton, B., & Ura, T. (2012). Investigation of double-pulse laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy for analysis of the composition of solids submerged at high pressures. In Oceans 2012 IEEE Press. DOI: 10.1109/OCEANS.2012.6405008
Sato, T., Thornton, B., Bodenmann, A., Asada, A., & Ura, T. (2012). Towards active control of a gimbaled acoustic probe for measurement of manganese crusts thickness. In The 23rd Ocean Engineering Symposium
Sangekar, M., Thornton, B., & Ura, T. (2012). Wide area seafloor observation using an Autonomous Landing Vehicle with adaptive resolution capability. In Oceans 2012 IEEE Press. DOI: 10.1109/OCEANS.2012.6404877
Bodenmann, A., Thornton, B., Nakatani, T., & Ura, T. (2011). 3D colour reconstruction of a hydrothermally active area using an underwater robot. In Oceans 2011 IEEE Press. DOI: 10.23919/OCEANS.2011.6107059
Sangekar, M., Thornton, B., Nakatani, T., Bodenmann, A., Sakamaki, T., & Ura, T. (2011). Autonomous landing experiments with an underwater vehicle for multi-resolution wide area seafloor survey. In Oceans 2011 Kona
Thornton, B., Bodenmann, A., Hara, S., Hioki, K., Kojima, M., Ura, T., ... Fujiwara, Y. (2011). Development of 8m long range imaging technology for generation of wide area colour 3D seafloor reconstructions. In Oceans 2012 IEEE Press. DOI: 10.1109/OCEANS.2012.6405002
Sangekar, M., Thornton, B., Ura, T., Sakamaki, T., & Bodenmann, A. (2011). Experiments for autonomous landing of an underwater vehicle at Teishi Knoll. Abstract from Blue Earth 11, Tokyo, Japan.
Bodenmann, A., Thornton, B., Ura, T., & Sangekar, M. (2011). High resolution 3D visual mapping of the seafloor using one camera and a sheet laser. In 22nd Ocean Engineering Symposion
Masamura, T., Thornton, B., & Ura, T. (2011). Spectroscopy and imaging of laser-induced plasmas for chemical analysis of bulk aqueous solutions at high pressures. In Oceans 2011 DOI: 10.23919/OCEANS.2011.6107194
Sangekar, M., Thornton, B., Nakatani, T., & Ura, T. (2010). Development of a landing algorithm for autonomous underwater vehicles using laser profiling. In Development of a Landing Algorithm for Autonomous Underwater Vehicles using Laser Profiling DOI: 10.1109/OCEANSSYD.2010.5603850
Bodenmann, A., Thornton, B., Ura, T., Sangekar, M., Nakatani, T., & Sakamaki, T. (2010). Pixel based mapping using a sheet laser and camera for generation of coloured 3D seafloor reconstructions. In Oceans 2010 IEEE Press. DOI: 10.1109/OCEANS.2010.5664363
Bodenmann, A., Thornton, B., Ura, T., & Sangekar, M. (2010). Pixel mapping for generation of 3D coloured seafloor bathymetry using a single camera. Paper presented at AUV2010, United States.DOI: 10.1109/AUV.2010.5779673
Bodenmann, A., Thornton, B., Ura, T., & Painumgal , U. V. (2009). Mapping the inside of a water pipe with an underwater robot. In Proc. 2009 JSME Conf. on Robotics and Mechatronics DOI: 10.1299/jsmermd.2009._1P1-B02_1
Bodenmann, A., Thornton, B., Ura, T., & Painumgal , U. V. (2009). Visual mapping of internal pipe walls using sparse features for application on board autonomous underwater vehicles. Paper presented at Oceans '09. Oceans 2009-Europe, 2009, .DOI: 10.1109/OCEANSE.2009.5278231

Thesis

Thornton, B. (2006). The development of Zero-G class underwater robots: unrestricted attitude control using control moment gyros

Dr Blair Thornton
Engineering and the Environment University of Southampton Highfield Southampton SO17 1BJ

Room Number:176/3019

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Dr Blair Thornton

Associate Professor of Oceanic Engineering Science

Research

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Contact

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Thesis