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Low-Power, Lightweight Cloud Water Content Sensor

Award Information
Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Branch: N/A
Contract: NNG06CA04C
Agency Tracking Number: 042073
Amount: $590,335.00
Phase: Phase II
Program: SBIR
Solicitation Topic Code: E1.03
Solicitation Number: N/A
Timeline
Solicitation Year: 2004
Award Year: 2006
Award Start Date (Proposal Award Date): 2005-12-14
Award End Date (Contract End Date): 2007-12-13
Small Business Information
6597 Maltse Lane, Unit D
Bozeman, MT 59718-6954
United States
DUNS: 118024608
HUBZone Owned: No
Woman Owned: No
Socially and Economically Disadvantaged: No
Principal Investigator
 John Bognar
 Principal Investigator
 (406) 994-9354
 jbognar@anasphere.com
Business Contact
 John Bognar
Title: President
Phone: (406) 994-9354
Email: jbognar@anasphere.com
Research Institution
N/A
Abstract

The measurement of cloud water content is of great importance in understanding the formation of clouds, their structure, and their radiative properties which in turn affect the climate. While a variety of sensors exist for making these measurements, all of the existing sensors require far too much power or other energy input to be used on small platforms with limited payloads such as UAVs, balloons, and kites. Anasphere has, in Phase I work, clearly demonstrated the feasibility of an entirely new technique for the in-situ measurement of cloud water content. The new sensor is lightweight (under 40 g), consumes very little power (the sensor can run for days on one 9-volt battery), and is very inexpensive.

Phase II work will focus on refining the sensor design from both mechanical and electronic perspectives, completing extensive laboratory and field tests of the improved sensors, and delivering several examples to NASA. Two sequential cycles of design improvement, laboratory testing, and flight testing are envisioned. Samples of the sensors will be sent to NASA as part of each flight testing cycle.

The Phase II effort will culminate in the availability of a simple and inexpensive cloud water content sensor for cloud research. This sensor will be very useful to scientists studying cloud formation and structure. It will enable such scientists to inexpensively obtain in-situ data that previously was obtained only through the use of an expensive research aircraft flying through the cloud.

* Information listed above is at the time of submission. *

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