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opment of superior ocean pH sensor technology. ?There are pH sensors available, but there are very few available options, many of which are too costly, imprecise and/or unstable to allow for suf cient knowledge on the state of ocean acidi ca-tion,? said Paul Bunje, XPRIZE?s Senior Director of Oceans. ?In particular, it has been dif cult to measure pH with ease and accuracy in the coastal and deep ocean environments.? In an effort to swiftly rectify shortcomings in current sensor technology, XPRIZE is offering $2 million in incentives (two $1 million purses: one for accuracy and the other for afford- ability). Over a 22-month period, leading experts in ocean chemis- try and measurement will gauge entrants? ability to meet key factors including accuracy, precision and stability, as well as materials cost and ease of use. An independent judging panel will assign points throughout three competition trial phases: lab, coastal and sea. XPRIZE plans to announce the winners in Summer 2015.Bunje said, ?Through the prize, we aim to catalyze ocean acidi cation research, spur the development of the ocean ser- vices industry, inspire innovations in ocean sensing technol- ogy and stimulate the free market to meet the growing demand for ocean pH sensors by producing inexpensive, accurate and durable sensors that can be deployed on many platforms.? And by offering large monetary incentives, XPRIZE be- lieves breakthroughs are near, with far-reaching environmen- tal and market results in the short and long term. ?This device would open the door to a new market of ocean services, research and data collection on a scale that does not currently exist,? Bunje said. ?If we compare this to the weather services industry for ex- ample, we are talking about a global opportunity that could develop into a billion-dollar industry. We also hope that inno- vative solutions will emerge that will help develop or enhance other ocean sensing technologies. XPRIZE has a lot of experi- ence catalyzing the growth of new markets. For instance, the private space  ight industry ? worth more than $1.5 Billion today ? did not exist before the Ansari XPRIZE.? Instrumentation Paul Bunje, XPRIZE?s, Senior Director of Oceans March 2014 54 MTRMTR #2 (50-65).indd 54MTR #2 (50-65).indd 542/21/2014 11:29:09 AM2/21/2014 11:29:09 AM