Goals and Purpose of the Project

There were several goals outlined for this project and each member of the group had their particular role in achieving these goals. The three main objectives for this research were to (1) design and produce gas filters used for Gas Filter Correlation Radiometry (GFCR), a technique developed by NASA to detect and measure atmospheric gases in the earth’s troposphere, (2) to obtain a concentration of carbon monoxide in the atmosphere and (3) to develop a tutorial for GFCR and produce a website for the Infrared Development and Thermal Testing Laboratory (IDTTL) at James Madison University.

Account of the process used in completing the research

To best understand the process involved in completing the goals of this research, it was essential to break the project up into its three main objectives since each group member was responsible for their own part. The gas filters used for collecting data were first designed and then manufactured in a lab within our academic building. Since these filters were used to collected data, it was important to test them for their effectiveness to maintain a sustained vacuum.

In order to test the gas filters for functionality, two processes were employed. The first is a simple pressure versus time experiment that shows how well the cells operate under vacuum pressure. The second utilizes a Fourier Infrared Spectrometer that shows the absorption spectra within the gas filter. The latter analysis reveals whether outside air leaks into the gas filter. Initial testing shows that the latest generation of the filters is effective in maintaining vacuum pressures.

The process of collecting and analyzing data was very involved. Data were collected on nights when their was a full moon. These data were then imported into Microsoft Excel where they could be analyzed to find any correlations between humidity and temperature. Once data were analyzed in Excel, a software called HITRAN PC allowed us to create a look-up table of atmospheric data for the Harrisonburg, VA area that would be able to correlate a value of carbon monoxide to an averaged data point that was collected by the group.

The last component of this project was development of tools for data visualization. When data were analyzed and images were made, these images were made into three-dimensional forms in which a user would be able to interpret them better. Also, a tutorial was developed using the software Dreamweaver that would help the user to understand the difficult technique of Gas Filter Correlation Radiometry (GFCR) which played a large role in this research. This tutorial was developed to be appropriate for a tenth-grade reading level, this allowed for the material to be explained at a relatively high level, but not one so low that the information would lose its importance.

Lastly, utilizing the same Dreamweaver software, a website for the IDTTL lab was developed. This website explains all of the four projects that are currently being conducted in the lab as well as background information on the individuals who work in the lab and links for extra information.

Conclusions and Results

Our group was very pleased with the results obtained from our research. Gas filter cells and a filter wheel to hold these filters were developed. After testing the filters it was determined that a few changes could be made to improve them, but for the purpose of this research they sustained a vacuum for a long enough period of time to collect data. Another result of this research was that a system capable of obtaining a carbon monoxide concentration has in fact been developed and an initial measured concentration value of 2.35 PPM was calculated. Although we were not able to determine the accuracy of this value, it was exciting to learn that a value could be determined with our instrument.

Finally, visualizations of the three months of data collected were produced to display the infrared images taken of the moon on nights of data collection. A GFCR tutorial was developed as well as a website for the IDTTL lab and the projects currently being conducted in the lab. All in all, the goals that were established were attained and we are optimistic about our results and the future of these studies.

Additional Information

The website is available to view at http://thermal-testing.project.cisat.jmu.edu.