STTR Phase I: Development of a Compact Cloud Spectrometer and Impactor

这个小型企业技术转移第一期项目旨在证明开发一种新的原位测量液滴大小分布和冷凝水质量的仪器的可行性。这种云谱仪和冲击器（CSI）将基于两种现有技术：光散射光谱仪和逆流虚拟冲击器。这两种仪器的特点将结合在一个轻型、紧凑的商业仪器中，用于测量飞机平台上的云微物理特性。具体来说，在第一阶段，提议者将为CSI设计两个被遮蔽的入口：一个用于撞击和蒸发液滴以测量冷凝水质量，另一个用于光学测量液滴大小分布。将制订一项计划，将所有必要的测量和电子元件纳入研究飞机使用的标准外壳的内部框架内。提供足够的干载气的方法，即使在高海拔地区，也将进行评估。将评估测量液滴和冰晶在CSI入口内受到冲击和蒸发后的水蒸气的候选技术。该仪器的开发重点是机载仪器，但将探讨地面应用的可行性。需要精确测量冷凝水大小和质量的研究机构和工业公司将使用该仪器。对于研究机构来说，液滴大小分布和凝结水质量的测量对于天气预报和了解全球气候变化非常重要。在工业中，农业化学品的应用和许多涂层过程依赖于液态水喷雾。准确测定液滴大小和总含水量对材料的正确应用至关重要。

This Small Business Technology Transfer Phase I project aims to prove the feasibility of developing a new in-situ instrument for measurement of the droplet size distribution and condensed water mass. This Cloud Spectrometer and Impactor (CSI) would be based on two existing technologies: the light-scattering spectrometer and the counterflow virtual impactor. Features of both instruments would be combined in a lightweight, compact, commercial instrument for measurement of cloud microphysical characteristics on an aircraft platform. Specifically, in Phase I the proposer would design two shrouded inlets for the CSI: one that impacts and evaporates droplets for a measurement of condensed water mass, and one that optically measures the droplet size distribution. A plan for incorporating all the necessary measurement and electronic components within the internal framework of a standard housing used on research aircraft would be developed. Methods for providing sufficient dry carrier gas, even at high-altitude, and would be assessed. Candidate techniques for measuring water vapor after droplets and ice crystals are impacted and evaporated within the CSI inlet would be evaluated. This instrument development focuses on an airborne instrument, but the feasibility of ground-based applications would be explored. Research organizations and industrial companies needing accurate measurements of the size and mass of condensed water will use this instrument. For research organizations, measurements of droplet size distribution and condensed water mass are important for weather forecasting and understanding global climate change. In industry, the application of agricultural chemicals and many coating processes rely on liquid water sprays. The accurate determination of the droplet size and total water content is important for correct application of the material.