Single-Particle, Angular Light-Scattering Apparatus for Aircraft Sampling

"The objective of MSP's three-phase SBIR program is to design and build a state-of-the-art Multi-Angle Light-Scattering Spectrometer integrated with a high performance inlet and sampling system for accurate in-flight particle monitoring. The system wouldbe kept small in physical size by the use of solid-state lasers and photo-detectors. By combining the compact Aerosol Size Spectrometer with a state-of-the-art inlet and sampling inlet, a small aircraft sampling system with superior performance can beobtained. In the Phase I project, several design alternatives will be investigated, and several novel features will be demonstrated experimentally. In Phase II, we will build a working instrument, based on the best design options elucidated in Phase I.In further Phase III work, commercial instruments will be made available for aircraft sampling and other applications. The aircraft sampling system would substantially increase the ability of the aerosol research community to contribute to questions ofnational defense and global climate change. In addition, the resulting aerosol spectrometer would assist civil authorities with their anti-terrorism response planning and could also be used for industrial hygiene monitoring."