Acquisition of a Doppler Wind Lidar for making ground-based and airborne atmospheric boundary layer

Abstract

Abstract Doppler Wind Lidar (DWL) systems provide detailed temporal and spatial characterizations of atmospheric boundary layer (ABL) flows that cannot be achieved by in-situ measurements. This proposal seeks to acquire a portable DWL for deployment as a ground-based and as an airborne system to investigate flows and turbulence in the atmosphere over land and water surfaces and to engage engineering and environmental science students in the development and application of atmospheric remote sensing systems. The PI has extensive experience in investigating ABL processes, particularly in complex and coastal terrain. A DWL system will enhance University of Virginia research by enabling the detailed investigation of meso-scale flows and turbulence in coastal and mountainous environments. The airborne DWL system will be deployed in shortterm field experiments to investigate the role of winds and turbulence in ocean- and landatmosphere interactions and the evaluation and development of parameterization schemes. A DWL system will provide opportunities at the University of Virginia to attract engineering students to the Department of Environmental Sciences and to introduce environmental science students to the latest laser technology and to atmospheric remote sensing. These opportunities allow for the education of students in disciplines important to missions of the DoD in two ways: (1) engineering students can use their background in laser technology to maintain and/or develop the DWL system and (2) environmental science students can learn about the latest technologies in remote sensing techniques to investigate atmospheric flows and turbulence over land and ocean. The DWL system will also be used in a mountain meteorology, boundary layer meteorology, and a mesoscale modeling course that teaches students how to take advantage of and use remote sensing technology in the observation and modeling of ABL processes.

Document Details

Document Type
DoD Grant Award
Publication Date
Aug 12, 2016
Source ID
N000141512895

Entities

People

  • Stephan De Wekker

Organizations

  • Office of Naval Research
  • United States Navy
  • University of Virginia

Tags

Fields of Study

  • Environmental science

Readers

  • Atmospheric Remote Sensing.
  • Defense Technology Research and Development.
  • Ocean-Atmosphere Mesoscale Modeling, Data Assimilation, and Flux Boundary Layers

Technology Areas

  • Directed Energy