Research Equipment and Resources
Autonomous Robotic Environmental Sensor (ARES) The Atmospheric Innovations Research (AIR) and Autonomous & Intelligent Control for Vehicles (AICV) Laboratories have engineered an Autonomous Robotic Environmental Sensor (ARES) capable of taking measurements of the indoor environment at multiple positions, reducing the number of sensors and amount of labor required. A Sliding Mode Controller (SMC) is designed and applied to the platform allowing for highly accurate movement to ensure measurements of wind velocity, air temperature, and relative humidity are taken at a precise position. Data collected by the ARES platform is analysed, providing insight into the thermo-fluid variables in the room and the room's predicted thermal comfort.
Tethered And Navigated Air Blimp (TANAB) The Atmospheric Innovations Research (AIR) Laboratory has engineered a micro-climate monitoring system to measure properties of the atmosphere as well as the earth surface properties using imaging. The system is called the Tethered And Navigated Air Blimp (TANAB).
High Performance Computing (HPC) Two High Performance Computing (HPC) systems by Dell PowerEdge R940 allow simulating environmental transport equations computationally efficiently. The systems provides 192 Central Processing Units (CPUs) based on Intel Xeon technology as well as 384 GB of Random Access Memory (RAM). A storage capacity of 80 TB supplements the HPC systems.
mini SOnic Detection And Ranging (mini SODAR) Owned by William D. Lubitz and manufactured by Atmospheric Systems Corporation, the mini SOnic Detection And Ranging (miniSODAR) instrument measures atmospheric winds from an altitude of 30 meters to an altitude of 200 meters. It provides hourly, half-hourly, or 10-minute measurements of horizontal winds speed, vertical wind speed, horizontal wind direction, and standard deviations in wind fluctuations.
Ultrasonic Anemometer The YOUNG Model 81000 Ultrasonic Anemometer is a 3-axis, no-moving-parts wind sensor. It is ideal for applications requiring fast response, high resolution and three-dimensional wind measurement. It measures wind speed, wind direction, and sonic temperature at a sampling rate from 4 to 32 Hz. Combined with the performance of Campbell Scientific CR6 dataloggers, air turbulence studies can be performed to measure climate indicators at high frequency.
4-Component Net Radiometer The CNR4, manufactured by Kipp & Zonen and cabled for use with Campbell Scientific data loggers, is a research-grade net radiometer that measures the energy balance between incoming and outgoing radiation. This net radiometer offers a professional solution for scientific-grade energy balance studies. Combined with the performance of Campbell Scientific CR1000 dataloggers, net radiation in shortwave and longwave spectra can be measured reliably.
Relative Humidity and Temperature Probes The HMP155A provides reliable relative humidity (RH) and temperature measurements for a wide range of applications. It uses a HUMICAP®180R capacitive thin film polymer sensor to measure RH over the 0 to 100% RH range. A PRT measures temperature over the -80° to +60°C range. This rugged, accurate temperature/RH probe is manufactured by Vaisala. The 41005-5, manufactured by R. M. Young, houses and protects the HMP155A temperature and RH probe. Its louvered construction allows air to pass freely through the shield, thereby keeping the probe at or near ambient temperature. The 41005-5 is white, allowing it to reflect solar radiation. Combined with the performance of Campbell Scientific CR1000 dataloggers, thermodynamics of air can be measured reliably.
Thermal Camera The FLIR Zenmuse XT Thermal Camera performs radiometric measurements of absolute surface temperatures. With a resolution of 640 x 512 and a 19mm lens, it is able to record images with a sampling rate of 30Hz. With a Matrice 600 - X3/XS Gimbal Mounting Kit, this camera can be integrated into any generic airborne or land-based sensing platform.
Flight Controller The DJI N3 Flight Controller is tailor-made for a multitude of hobbyist and industrial applications. Its robust flight control algorithm is ideal for controlling a broad range of industrial and DIY multi-rotor aircraft, providing professional stability. It integrates a compass, a Global Positionining System (GPS), and an Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU).
Remote Controller The DJI Lightbridge 2 has been designed from the ground up to meet the requirements of professional broadcasting at high frame rates and HD clarity. USB, mini-HDMI and 3G-SDI ports support video output at up to 1080p/60fps or broadcast standard output of 720p/59.94fps and 1080i/50fps. Aircraft and camera control signals are also transmitted over Lightbridge 2 giving smooth and responsive navigation when flying or directing a camera.
Drone The DJI Inspire 1 Drone is a quadcopter that captures 4K-resolution video. It also supports other high performance thermal or multispectral cameras for earth surface analysis. It provides a cost-effective imaging airborne platform for environmental studies.
Miniature Weather Station Manufactured by AnemomentTM, the TriSonica sensor is a mini weather station. It is ideal for applications that require a miniature, lightweight, low velocity anemometer particularly for airborne systems. It has a measurement path of just 35 mm and a weight of 50 grams. It can provide measurements of all three dimensions of wind flow, sonic temperature, pressure, and humidity at a sampling rate up to 10Hz. It is also equipped with a compass and tilt sensor.
SOnic Detection And Ranging (SODAR) Owned by RWDI Air Inc. and manufactured by Remtech Inc., the PA5 SOnic Detection And Ranging (SODAR) instrument measures atmospheric winds from an altitude of 100 meters to an altitude of 3000 meters. It provides hourly or half-hourly measurements of horizontal winds speed, vertical wind speed, horizontal wind direction, and standard deviations in wind fluctuations.
Particle Research A few TSI Inc. equipment allow designing and conducting particle experiments. The AEROTRAK 9306 measurers particle concentrations in size channels from 0.3 to 10 microns in particle diameters. The ATOMIZER 9302 generates a poly-disperse ensemble of liquid droplets with variable diameters in air. The Mini-MOUDI 135 cascade impactor can have 6, 8 or 10 stages, operating at a sampling flow rate of 2 L per minute for a variety of sampling applications. The Mini-MOUDI impactor has stages available with cut-point diameters from 0.056 to 10 microns.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Manufactured by AeroDrum Inc., a 5-meter blimp is used for indoor air sampling. This blimp has flight control equipment and is maneuvered using RC. Two servo motors spin propellers and allow the navigation of the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle.