NASA SBIR 00-1 SOLICITATION

FORM 9B - PROJECT SUMMARY


PROPOSAL NUMBER 00-1 13.02-8165 (Chron: 001836 )
PROJECT TITLE
Miniature In Situ Hyperspectral Thermal Infrared Sensor



TECHNICAL ABSTRACT (LIMIT 200 WORDS)
MEDECO proposes to develop the Miniature In situ HyperSpectral Thermal Infrared sensor, MIHSTI, a novel, uncooled, miniature, hyperspectral thermal infrared Fourier transform sensor. MEDECO, joining with GATS, Inc., will provide proof-of-concept measurements, novel relative and absolute calibration methods, and specialized analysis algorithms for analysis of long-wave infrared spectra that can result in a quantitative, spatially resolved determination of atmospheric microphysical properties, greenhouse gas abundances and their variability.
MIHSTI will be capable of providing high signal-to-noise, long wave infrared hyperspectra at a spectral resolution from 10 to 300. To achieve the measurement goals, MIHSTI utilizes its throughput advantage and fast optics to achieve the high illumination levels required to reach high S/N with uncooled micromachined bolometer focal plane arrays. The proposed measurement goals will be achieved in the LWIR terrestrial atmospheric windows between wavelengths from 5 microns to 50 microns so that detailed tropospheric radiative balancing can be accurately determined.
MEDECO has previously developed with NASA a related visible-nir imaging interferometric sensor flown successfully in the ERAST remotely piloted aircraft. We propose to develop an rpa capability for MIHSTI in situ measurements of microphysical properties of the atmosphere. The proposed sensor provides a means to determine microphysical properties over substantial volumes quickly to relate to local properties measured by active sensors.



POTENTIAL COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS
MIHSTI's ability to measure spatially resolved spectra at high sensitivity over a broad spectral region in the LWIR can be applied to a wide range of remote sensing and in situ applications for government and commercial goals. In particular, MIHSTI applications include remote sensing of biogenic atmospheric gases related to primary productivity and net gas exchange, for biogeochemical remote sensing, volcanic and industrial plume monitoring, site surveillance and toxic species monitoring, and rapid forest fire characterization.



NAME AND ADDRESS OF PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR (Name, Organization Name, Mail Address, City/State/Zip)
Dennis Angelisanti
MEDECO, Inc.
89 Arundel Place
Clayton , MO   63105 - 3105



NAME AND ADDRESS OF OFFEROR (Firm Name, Mail Address, City/State/Zip)
MEDECO, Inc.
89 Arundel Place
Clayton , MO   63105 - 3105