Expanded Measurement Spectra for Superior Particle Analysis

Particles suspended in the air have a substantial effect on human systems ranging from material degradation, to impeding electromagnetic wave propagation through the atmosphere, to harmful health outcomes.Ā Accurately measuring these species is the first step in understanding their effect on these different systems. We propose to expand the measurement capabilities of an integrating nephelometer beyond the visible range and into the infra-red (IR) and ultraviolet (UV) spectra, enabling a novel expansion of the proven capabilities of nephelometry for ambient aerosol measurement and identification. A potential military application is for corrosion monitoring analysis condition-based predictive maintenance (noting that corrosion represents a $5B per annum operational cost to the US Department of the Air Force (DAF) and a $21B per annum cost to the US Department of Defense overall). Increasingly heightened life cycle management costs necessitate more customizable, accurate, precise, real-time, easily deployable, robust, comprehensive predictive condition-based monitoring solution. Other potential applications include directed energy and other weapons; sensor research; particulate emissions monitoring (smoke, dust, sea spray); emergency response monitoring; and health and environmental measurement indicators including impacts of climate change. Each of these applications is diverse in nature, with further analysis necessary to identify the most critical needs within DAF. The wider measurement-range capability, real-time analysis, and cost-effective architecture will enable a scalable solution, with minimal field maintenance requirements, in an easy to operate platform. This will lead to transformational strategic measurement capabilities. No current technology is able to meet all of these defined requirements simultaneously within one systemized solution and yet still maintain reliable, repeatable research grade data fidelity.