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

这一小型企业技术转让第一阶段项目旨在证明开发一种新的现场测量液滴尺寸分布和凝结水质量的仪器的可行性。这种云光谱仪和撞击器(CSI)将基于两项现有技术：光散射光谱仪和逆流虚拟撞击器。这两种仪器的特点将结合在一个轻便、紧凑、商用的仪器中，用于在飞机平台上测量云的微物理特性。具体地说，在第一阶段，提出者将为CSI设计两个有盖的进水口：一个用于撞击和蒸发液滴，用于测量冷凝水质量，另一个用于光学测量液滴的尺寸分布。将制定一项计划，将所有必要的测量和电子部件纳入研究飞机使用的标准外壳的内部框架内。将对即使在高海拔地区也能提供充足的干载气的方法进行评估。将对水滴和冰晶在CSI入口内撞击和蒸发后测量水蒸气的候选技术进行评估。这项仪器开发的重点是机载仪器，但将探索地面应用的可行性。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，水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。在工业上，农用化学品的应用和许多涂装工艺都依赖于液态水喷雾。液滴大小和总含水量的准确测定对于材料的正确应用是重要的。

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.