Objective
The primary objective of this proposal is to exploit proven solid state sensor techniques to achieve a dramatic reduction in the cost and weight of balloon-borne ozone sondes, such that incorporation into standard Pressure-Temperature-Humidity (PTU) instruments becomes feasible. The spatial distribution and temporal frequency of ozone measurement as a function of height in the upper troposphere and lower stratosphere could be improved by a significant factor over that currently achieved.
The secondary and more challenging objective is to achieve measurement of atmospheric methane within the same constraints. A standard weather balloon could then provide measurement of both ozone and a tracer gas. The increased density of information would revolutionise knowledge of the dynamics and chemistry of the upper troposphere and lower stratosphere.
The proposed development is feasible because of new discoveries, inventions and technological development made by some of the partners in the field of inexpensive solid-state devices for industrial and domestic health and safety monitoring. The feasibility of using this new technology to measure the target gases at the required concentration and to acceptable accuracy has been demonstrated on the ground (eg.
ozone at ppb levels). The project brings atmospheric scientists together with the sensor scientists and SME sensor/instrumentation company which jointly made the technological breakthrough.
The steps in the proposed project are:
- to establish the characteristics of the sensors under conditions oftemperature, pressure and humidity which simulate a balloon flight into thetroposphere and lower stratosphere, and provide the necessary calibrationand validation;
- to demonstrate a miniaturised sensor system package for potential integrationinto existing PTU sondes,
- to test the completed package both in a simulation chamber and on balloonflights.
The project addresses Themes 1 & 2 of the call for proposals: task 2.1.1 instrumentation for high spatial and temporal resolution measurement in the stratosphere, providing the tools for detection of the spatio-temporal extent of perturbations of chemical nature to the lower stratospheric air (task 1.2.1). It links to Item 4.1 Global Change, of the Networking of Activities. The proposed research, in leading to a much improved monitoring of atmospheric distribution of ozone, is of central importance to the objectives of the IPCC, the WRCP and the IGBP Programmes. The improved monitoring methods will also provide important additional input to GCOS.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques.
- engineering and technologyelectrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineeringelectronic engineeringsensors
- natural scienceschemical sciencesorganic chemistryaliphatic compounds
- natural sciencesearth and related environmental sciencesatmospheric sciencesmeteorologytroposphere
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Topic(s)
Call for proposal
Data not availableFunding Scheme
CSC - Cost-sharing contractsCoordinator
WC1 0AJ LONDON
United Kingdom