10th International Aerosol Conference September 2 - September 7, 2018 America's Center Convention Complex St. Louis, Missouri, USA
Abstract View
Portable Digital Holography Instrument for In-situ Coarse-mode Aerosol Imaging
OSKU KEMPPINEN, Matthew Berg, Yuli W. Heinson, Stephen Holler, Kansas State University
Abstract Number: 131 Working Group: Low-Cost and Portable Sensors
Abstract Digital holography is a contact-free imaging method that doesn't require trapping or otherwise preparing the imaged particle prior to the measurement. We have designed and are currently manufacturing a proof-of-concept model for a lightweight, low-cost digital holography instrument that can image freely flowing particles, sizes ranging from tens of micrometers up to millimeters, in the atmosphere. We have also developed the necessary algorithms to automatically reconstruct the particles’ two-dimensional silhouettes, with additional limited three-dimensional information. It is expected that the final product will have capabilities to run these algorithms on-board the instrument, giving the instrument near-real-time analysis capabilities.
The current estimate for the mass of the instrument is approximately 5kg with batteries, light enough to be flown on an off-the-shelf Unmanned Aerial System (drone), with approximately 20-30 minutes of flight and measurement time between landings. The current material cost estimate for the prototype model is roughly $7000, but it's expected this can be reduced for future models.
The instrument concept, if proven successful in the upcoming test campaign, will allow imaging large atmospheric particles almost anywhere in the lower boundary layer with minimal set-up required, and with very low operational costs. We expect the instrument will greatly add to the knowledge of coarse-mode aerosol particle morphology by providing statistically significant amount of measurements that have been slow, costly, and in some cases impossible to perform thus far.