The Communications, Space Physics and Natural Hazards Group under the School of Information Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Physics (STEMP), The University of the South Pacific is engaged in the study of neutral and ionized Earth’s electrical environment using the electromagnetic signals (radio waves). Radio waves from Extremely/Very Low Frequency (ELF-VLF; up to 30 kHz) to Super High Frequency (SHF; 3-30 GHz) are used in different communication systems. The development of a global and regional specification and forecast system for communications is needed given our increased reliance on ground and space communication systems. Radio wave propagation is affected by the atmosphere in between the ground receiver and satellites. The main research focuses now covers the whole Earth’s atmosphere from the communication point of view based mainly using experimental data both ground and satellites & spacecraft based observations. The group has an active research programme in atmospheric and ionospheric and radio wave applications to the natural hazards (Terrestrial and Space Weather). We are also interested in studying the earthquake and tsunami (if any) under Geophysical (earthquake, tsunami, volcanic eruption, landslide, and snow avalanche), tropical cyclone, lightning and thunderstorm, long-term climatic change, and short-term climatic change) and Geomagnetic storms and solar flares under Space (Solar flares, Geomagnetic storms, Solar Proton Events, Energetic Electron Precipitation, Satellite Drag) Hazards.
The group had engaged/is engaging in international collaborations: 1. Otago University, New Zealand, and University of Washington, USA, under the World Wide Location Network (WWLLN), 2. Stanford University Network on Atmospheric Weather Electromagnetic System for Observation Modeling and Education (AWESOME) under the International Heliophysical Year 2007 (IHY 2007) project supported by NASA under United Nations Basic Space Science Initiative (UNBSSI) program, 3. Indian Institute of Geomagnetism, Mumbai, India, Banaras Hindu University, India, Beihang University, China, Astrophysics Division, CRAAG, Algiers, Algeria, National Space Institute, Technical University of Denmark, Lyngby, Denmark, and several other organizations.
The research is now conducted in the following streams:
The Communications, Space Physics and Natural Hazards looks at research related to electronic communications, ELF (Extremely Low Frequency) & VLF (Very Low Frequency) signals & perturbations, electromagnetic (EM) waves and waveguides, behavior of Earth’s Atmosphere & Ionosphere, Sferics, Whistlers, sprites, diurnal variations, electron density, scintillations. Some other areas include space weather phenomena, Geomagnetic storms, Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs), solar flares, Tropical Cyclones and Equatorial anomaly.
This group currently comprises of:
The Renewable Energy Technologies & Sustainability group is focused towards new sustainable technologies that utilize renewable energy sources to meet current energy demands and displacing the conventional modes of energy generation. Exemplary studies are being conducted in Solar Energy, Wind Energy and Biomass energy. These include feasibility studies, trend analysis, potential resource assessment, energy systems designs, grid-integrated modelling and analysis, techno-economic analysis, Energy efficiency, energy performance indices, carbon footprint, developing mitigation strategies, Energy Economics and Energy policy.
The group currently comprises of:
