Development of Novel Instrumentation to Characterize Aerosol Insets and Cloud Particles
Abstract
SPEC Incorporated was contracted in Phase II by the Office of Naval Research to develop innovative new technology to measure the size, shape and concentration of water drops and ice particles in clouds. This effort included the main SBIR Phase II contract and two options. The principal objectives of the main SBIR phase II contract and its two options are: Main Contract: Development of a 2D-S (Stereo) cloud particle imaging probe. Option I: Determine the feasibility of designing and developing a 3V-CPI probe. Option 2: Design and fabricate a 3V-CPI probe for use on research aircraft. One result of the Phase II research was the development of a new cloud particle-imaging probe, the 2D-S (Stereo) probe, which has been installed on four research aircraft and flown in four major field campaigns sponsored by the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). A description of the 2D-S probe and scientific results from field campaigns are the subject of two refereed journal publications. A second result is the ongoing development of another innovative cloud particle imaging probe, called a 3V-CPI, which is essentially a combination of a 2D-S and the SPEC cloud particle imager. The 3V-CPI is being developed under a joint agreement between the Navy and the NSF, whereby two 3V-CPI probes are being developed in parallel under joint funding from both agencies. Both the Navy and NSF agreed to this arrangement to facilitate development of the 3V-CPI under available funding. The Navy 3V-CPI will undergo final assembly and testing and be delivered to CIRPAS for use in the VOCALS field campaign scheduled for autumn 2008 in Chile. The NSF instrument, which is essentially identical to the Navy instrument, will be tested on the NSF owned Gulfstream V research aircraft before the Navy probe is delivered.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 01, 2007
- Accession Number
- ADA472445
Entities
People
- Paul Lawson