Fast Temperature Sensor for use in Atmospheric Sciences, Phase I

Southwest Sciences proposes a novel sensor to measure atmospheric temperature at high frequency (10 Hz) and with high precision and accuracy (0.1 degrees C). Existing temperature sensors are negatively impacted by high airflows on platforms such as aircraft or by the presence of cloud particles. Such inaccuracies prevent detailed understanding of cloud microphysics and energy fluxes that are critical for understanding global climate change. The proposed sensor uses a low power vertical cavity surface emitting laser with a novel optical cell to measure temperature in a minimally intrusive method that is unaffected by cloud particles or aircraft speed. The sensor will be sufficiently lightweight and compact for use on balloons, kites, and UAVs as well as more conventional research aircraft.

This is a mature technology (TRL 7+) — the realistic path in is usually NASA's Technology Transfer Program: licensing an existing NASA patent, or a Space Act Agreement to use NASA facilities/expertise directly. NASA also runs a startup licensing program with no upfront fee for companies formed to commercialize a specific NASA technology.

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