PARTICLE FLUX ANALYTICS INC — Department of Energy SBIR Phase II: C53-26a

Description

C53-26a-271369Scientific research and public service require ground-based measurements of precipitation density, type and rate. But the sought-after accuracy remains elusive, and measurements tend to be too sparse to represent high spatial variability or rapidly evolving storms. Existing ground-based weather stations remain bulky and expensive, composed of assemblages of instruments, each dedicated to a specific task and operated using proprietary algorithms and methods requiring dedicated trained personnel. In Phase I, Particle Flux Analytics matured a highly capable small, automated weather sensor aimed at solving these challenges. The SnowPixel is a pixelated 24×24 micro-hotplate array that provides a video “heat map” of environmental cooling signatures. In Phase I, the SnowPixel was designed to be capable of automated adaptive sampling of both winds and hydrometeor evaporation. In laboratory and field testing, and with new algorithms for signal analysis, it was shown how the SnowPixel can yield coincident statistics for the mass of individual snow and rain particles, the bulk precipitation rate, and wind speed. The device was successfully deployed to a high-alphine site in Utah and Gothic, CO as part of the ASR SAIL Campaign. In Phase II, Particle Flux Analytics aims to bring to market a disruptive beta-prototype Snow- Pixel device, introducing sophisticated, small, automated, weather stations for the scientific re- search and transportation safety sectors. Activities will focus on refinements to the manufacturing process, improved device control, streamlined housing, calibrated measurement of hydrometeor mass, density, precipitation rate, wind speed, direction, and turbulence, and development of user-friendly data streams. An established customer base will be deepened and expanded.