SBIR-STTR Award

Miniaturized Ultraviolet Absorption Ozonesonde for Small Aerial Platforms
Award last edited on: 3/12/2002

Sponsored Program
SBIR
Awarding Agency
NASA : GSFC
Total Award Amount
$670,000
Award Phase
2
Solicitation Topic Code
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Principal Investigator
Andrea M Faucette

Company Information

QEI Technologies Inc

2715 South St Paul
Denver, CO 80210
   (303) 883-8131
   afaucette@qeitech.com
   www.qeitech.com
Location: Single
Congr. District: 01
County: Denver

Phase I

Contract Number: ----------
Start Date: ----    Completed: ----
Phase I year
2000
Phase I Amount
$70,000
The measurement of ozone is one of the most critical atmospheric chemistry measurements made in the study of the Earth's atmosphere. The depletion of stratospheric ozone and the photochemical production of tropospheric ozone from pollutants are two major areas of study which demand accurate, high-resolution ozone data. QEI Technologies, Inc proposes to develop a next-generation ultraviolet absorption photometer for mounting on small aerial platforms. The compact, single-beam photometer will be based on earlier designs developed by the Principal Investigator for use on tethered and sounding balloons. The new design, in keeping with the philosophy of the earlier single-beam designs, will offer performance matching heavier, more expensive double-beam instruments while greatly reducing size and power consumption. In contrast with electrochemical sondes, the ultraviolet technique offers far greater precision as well as immunity to interferences from virtually all other atmospheric species at typical concentrations. Phase I work will involve constructing one prototype to demonstrate a range of design improvements over earlier versions. Phase II will involve design refinement and extensive field tests with several instruments.

Potential Commercial Applications:
The new ozonesonde will find applications in a wide range of atmospheric science and air quality programs. It will be suitable for use on small aerial platforms (RPVs, UAVs, and balloons) as well as in surface air quality monitoring stations.

Phase II

Contract Number: ----------
Start Date: ----    Completed: ----
Phase II year
2001
Phase II Amount
$600,000
The measurement of ozone is one of the most critical atmospheric chemistry measurements made in the study of the Earth?s atmosphere. The depletion of stratospheric ozone and the photochemical production of tropospheric ozone from pollutants are two major areas of study which demand accurate, high-resolution ozone data. The Phase I goal was to develop and demonstrate key technologies for a next-generation ultraviolet absorption ozonesonde for mounting on small aerial platforms. In Phase I, a prototype ozonesonde for use on small aerial vehicles and sounding balloons was successfully demonstrated. The new sonde is a fraction of the size of existing benchtop ultraviolet absorption instruments and consumes very little power. The new ozonesonde is very similar in size to existing electrochemical concentration cell ozonesondes, proving that the new instrument can be flown on very small platforms. The proven Phase I ozonesonde design will be refined in Phase II; improvements will focus on performance enhancement and weight reduction. Design changes will be made with consideration given to simplifying the Phase III production of ozonesondes. Several prototypes will be produced in Phase II. These prototypes will undergo extensive field tests to refine the design and to prove their ability to operate in the field. POTENTIAL COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS The ozonesonde will be a valuable new tool for researchers interested in studying both tropospheric and stratospheric ozone. The ozonesonde's performance is far superior to the only commercially available existing alternative for ozone measurement from small aerial platforms, specifically electrochemical concentration cell ozonesondes. The ozonesonde will be suitable for a wide range of airborne applications, including flight on small Uninhabited Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) and balloon sondes. The instrument will also be offered as an inexpensive replacement for current double-beam instruments in many surface-based applications