Director
Phone: 978-932-0279
e-mail: onasch@aerodyne.com

Center for Sensor Systems and Technology

Dr. Timothy Onasch

Ph.D., Chemistry, University of Colorado, Boulder

Dr. Onasch serves as Director for the Center for Sensor Systems and Technology. Dr. Onasch’s research interests include atmospheric chemistry, particulate phase thermodynamics, physical properties of nanoparticles, optical detection and characterization of aerosol particles, and infrared spectroscopy. Currently he is working on characterizing the organic content of atmospheric particles using aerosol mass spectrometry.

Dr. Andrew Freedman

Ph.D., Physical Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley

Dr. Freedman serves as Co-Director of the Center for Sensor Systems and Technology. His work has focused on a broad range of studies which encompass interfacial phenomena relevant to environmental chemistry, semiconductor processing, and biothreat detection. He has also been responsible for developing many of the technologies discussed above, including the CAPS-based monitors, trace oxygen and humidity sensing systems, plant health monitor and IG window seal integrity monitor.

Frank Iannarilli

M.S., Electrical Engineering, Brown University

Mr. Iannarilli has over 25 years experience in a broad range of EO/IR systems pursuits. His principal interests are computational intelligence theory and techniques and their application to optical sensing and imaging. He conceived and designed the Aerodyne-originated Paint Map Optimizer (PMO), a computer-aided design tool for optimizing object coating schemes to engineer their conspicuity. Other pursuits involve application of random field theory to model-based object recognition, hyperspectral and polarimetric imaging for computer vision and remote sensing, and state tracking of targets in clutter. In his former military position at the AF Geophysics Lab, he directed in-flight signature measurement operations. While there, he received the 1984 USAF Research and Development Award personally from Secretary of the Air Force.

Stephen Jones

Physical ChemM.S., Electrical Engineering, Northeastern University

Mr. Jones’ research interests include automatic target recognition, image and signal processing, and computational intelligence methods. He has led the signal processing, performance evaluation, and optical design of infrared and visible wavelength polarimetric hyperspectral imagers for both spaceborne detection of ground targets and for remote sensing of atmospheric aerosol properties. He also worked on the hardware design, sensor control software design and developement, optical alignment and field testing of an imaging MWIR spatial modulation sensor. His other recent work includes the development techniques for humanitarian demining using IR polarimetric imaging and microwave enhanced thermal imaging and the development of computer vision techniques for an intelligent transportation system (ITS) in the visible and LWIR bands. Previously at CPI (formerly Varian), Mr. Jones was principal investigator on several contracts for development of novel ELINT and ECCM techniques.

Fred Bacon, Aerodyne Research, Inc.
Roger Putnam, Aerodyne Research, Inc.
Sal Cartagena, Aerodyne Research Inc.

Brian Heffernan

Aerosol optical properties measurements by a CAPS single scattering albedo monitor: Comparisons between summer and winter in Beijing, China, Han, T., Xu, W., Li, J., Freedman, A., Zhao, J., Wang, Q., Chen, C., Zhang, Y, Wang, Z., Fu, P., Liu, X., Sun, Y., JGR, 122, 2513-2526, 2017.

Application of oxygen A-band equivalent width to disambiguate downwelling radiances for cloud optical depth measurement E. Niple, H. Scott, J. Conant, S. Jones, F. Iannarilli, and W. Pereira, Atmos. Meas. Tech., 9, 4167-4179, 2016.

Single Scattering Albedo Monitor for Airborne Particulates, T. B. Onasch, P. Massoli, P. L. Kebabian, F. B. Hills, F. W. Bacon, A. Freedman, Aerosol Sci. Technol., 49, 267-279, 2015.

Intercomparison of a Cavity Attenuated Phase Shift-based extinction monitor (CAPS PMex) with an integrating nephelometer and a filter-based absorption monitor, A. Petzold, T. Onasch, P. Kebabian, A. Freedman, Atmos. Meas. Tech., 6, 1141-1151, 2013.

Doppler spectrum-based polar nephelometer, P. L. Kebabian, T. B. Onasch, J. C. Wormhoudt, A. Freedman, Opt. Lett., 37, 3654-3656, 2012.

Direct Measurement of Aircraft Engine Soot Emissions Using a Cavity-Attenuated Phase Shift (CAPS)-Based Extinction Monitor, Z.. Yu, L. D. Ziemba, T. B. Onasch, S. C. Herndon, S. E. Albo, R. Miake-Lye, B. E. Anderson, P. L. Kebabian, A. Freedman, Aerosol Sci. Tech., 45, 1319-1325, 2011.

Knudsen Effusion Measurement of Organic Peroxide Vapor Pressures, P. L. Damour, A. Freedman, J. Wormhoudt, Propellants, Explosives, Pyrotechnics, n/a. doi: 10.1002/prep.200900083.

Aerosol light extinction measurements by cavity attenuated phase shift (CAPS) spectroscopy: Laboratory validation and field deployment of a compact aerosol particle extinction monitor, P. Massoli, P. L. Kebabian, T. B. Onasch, F. B. Hills, A. Freedman, Aerosol Sci. Tech. 44, 428-435, 2010.

A practical alternative to chemiluminescence-based detection of nitrogen dioxide: cavity attenuated phase shift spectroscopy, P. L. Kebabian, E. C. Wood, S. C. Herndon, A. Freedman, Environ. Sci. Technol., 42, 6040-6045, 2008.

Apparatus for determination of vapor pressures at ambient temperatures employing a Knudsen effusion cell and quartz crystal microbalance, A. Freedman, P. L. Kebabian, Z. Li, W. A. Robinson, J. C. Wormhoudt, Meas. Sci. Technol., 19, 125102 (8 p.), 2008.

Focusing particles with diameters of 1 to 10 microns into beams at atmospheric pressure, R. Deng, X. Zhang, K. A. Smith, J. Wormhoudt, D. K. Lewis, A. Freedman, Aerosol Sci. Tech., 42, 899-915, 2008. DOI: 10.1080/02786820802360674

Optical extinction monitor using cw cavity enhanced detection, P.L. Kebabian, W.A. Robinson, and A. Freedman, Rev. Sci. Instru. 78, 063102, 2007.

Fluoropolymer-based capacitive carbon dioxide sensor, P.L. Kebabian, A. Freedman, Meas. Sci. Technol., 17:703-710, (2006).

Determination of carbon in steel by laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy using a microchip laser and miniature spectrometer, J. Wormhoudt, F.J. Iannarilli, S. Jones, K.D. Annen, A. Freedman, Appl. Spectrosc. 59, 1098-1102, (2005).

Aluminum alloy analysis using microchip-laser induced breakdown spectroscopy, A. Freedman, F.J. Iannarilli Jr., J.C. Wormhoudt, Spectrochim. Acta B 60, 1076-1082 (2005).

Detection of Nitrogen Dioxide by Cavity Attenuated Phase Shift Spectroscopy, P.L. Kebabian, S.C. Herndon, A. Freedman, Anal. Chem. 77, 724-728 (2005)

Realization of quantitative-grade fieldable snapshot imaging spectropolarimeter, S.H. Jones, F.J. Iannarilli, P.L. Kebabian, Optics Express, 12, 6559-6573, 2004.

Measurement of Trace Water Vapor in a Carbon Dioxide Removal Assembly Product Stream, J. Wormhoudt, J.H. Shorter, J.B. McManus, D.D. Nelson, M.S. Zahniser, A. Freedman, International Conference on Environmental Systems (ICES) July 19-22, 2004, Colorado Springs, CO, Paper No. 2004-01-2444.

Use of a Prototype Instrument to Detect Short-Term Changes in Solar-Excited Leaf Fluorescence, G.A. Carter, A. Freedman, P.L. Kebabian, H.E. Scott, Int. J. Remote Sensing, 25,1779-1784 (2004)

Spectro-polarimetric remote surface-orientation measurement, F.J. Iannarilli, Jr., US Patent 6,678,632 (issued 13 January 2004)

Feature selection for multi-class discrimination via mixed-integer linear programming, F. J. Iannarilli, Jr. and P. A. Rubin, IEEE Trans. Pattern Analysis and Machine Intelligence, 25:6 (2003)

Determination of Argon-Filled Insulated Glass Window Seal Failure by Spectroscopic Detection of Oxygen, P.L. Kebabian, R.R. Romano and A. Freedman, Meas. Sci. Technol. 14, 983–988 (2003)

Analysis of Humidity Halos Around Trade Wind Cumulus Clouds, M.L. Lu, J. Wang, A. Freedman, H. H. Jonsson, R. C. Flagan, R. A. McClatchey, and J. H. Seinfeld, J. Atmos. Sciences 60, 1041-1059 (2003)

Remote Sensing of Solar-Illuminated Plant Fluorescence as a Measure Of Photosynthesis Rate, A.Freedman, J. Cavender-Bares, P.L. Kebabian, R. Bhaskar, H. Scott, and F.A. Bazzaz, Photosynthetica, 40, 127-132 (2002).

Spectroscopic Water Vapor Sensor For Rapid Response Measurements of Humidity In The Troposphere, P.L. Kebabian, C.E. Kolb, and A. Freedman, J. Geophys. Res., 107, 4670, doi:10.1029/2001JD002003 (2002).

Fluorescence sensor watches over plants, R. Gaughan, Biophotonics Technology Solutions, January/February, 18 (2001).

A Novel Gas Correlation Sensor for the Detection of Nitrogen Dioxide, P.L. Kebabian, K. Annen, T. Berkoff, and A. Freedman, Meas. Sci. Technol. 11, 499-503 (2000)

Spectroscopic Humidity Sensor for the Space Station, P.L. Kebabian and A. Freedman, SAE Technical Paper Series, 2000-01-2306, 30th International Conference on Environmental Systems (ICES), Toulouse, France, July 2000

Polarimetric Spectral Intensity Modulation (P-SIM): Enabling simultaneous hyperspectral and polarimetric imaging, F.J. Iannarilli, S.H. Jones, H.E. Scott, and P. Kebabian, Proc. SPIE 3698 (1999).

A Passive Two-Band Sensor of Sunlight-Excited Plant Fluorescence, P. Kebabian, A. Theisen, S. Kallelis, and A. Freedman, Rev. Sci. Instrumen. 70, 4386-4393 (1999) Copyright 1999 American Institute of Physics. This article may be downloaded for personal use only. Any other use requires prior permission of the author and the American Institute of Physics. Article available from AIP.

Passive Two-Band Plant Fluorescence Sensor With Applications In Precision Agriculture, P.L. Kebabian, A.F. Theisen, S. Kallelis, H.E. Scott, and A. Freedman, SPIE Proc. 3542, 238 (1999)

Water Vapor Sensing Using Polarization Selection of a Zeeman-Split Argon Discharge Lamp Emission Line, P.L. Kebabian, T.A. Berkoff, and A. Freedman, J. Meas. Sci. Technol., 9, 1793 (1998)

Explosives Detection: A Challenge for Physical Chemistry, J.I. Steinfeld and J. Wormhoudt, Annu. Rev. Phys. Chem. 49, 203-232 (1998).

Embedded Infrared Fiber Optic Absorption Studies of Nitramine Propellant Strand Burning, J. Wormhoudt, P.L. Kebabian, and C.E. Kolb, Combustion and Flame, 111, 73 (1997).

Tunable Infrared Laser Detection of Pyrolysis Products of Explosives in Soils, J. Wormhoudt, et al., Applied Optics, 35, 3992 (1996).

The Center for Sensor Systems and Technology (CSST) designs and develops innovative sensors utilizing proprietary technology for its own use and for delivery to private, academic and government customers. CSST- developed monitors permit turn-key operation and include easy-to-use data acquisition software which allows integration of the sensor into larger systems.

Recent customers include: the German Aerospace Center (DLR), University of Massachusetts, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, FZ Julich, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, University of Washington, the Department of Energy, the National Institutes of Health and NASA Ames and Glenn Research Centers.

Commercialization Opportunities

Aerodyne Research has developed a number of successful partnerships with private industry with the goal of producing commercially available instrumentation and sensor systems. Generally involving Aerodyne-proprietary technology, these partnerships typically entail close technical and business working relationships. Prospective partners and collaborators should contact Dr. Freedman, CSST Director or Dr. Charles E. Kolb, President of Aerodyne Research, Inc.

Sensor System Examples

CAPS Nitrogen Dioxide (NO₂) Monitor

CSST has developed, built and marketed a state-of-the-art monitor for the detection of ambient levels of nitrogen dioxide, a criteria pollutant. The monitor employs cavity attenuated phase shift (CAPS) techniques to measure the presence of nitrogen dioxide using absorption at 450 nm. The rack-mounted instrument is capable of detecting 0.1 ppb levels of NO₂ with 10 s sampling and requires less than 1 liter per minute of sample flow. A fast reponse version (1 s) with lower sensitivity (1 ppb) is also available.

CAPS PM_ex Particle Extinction Monitor

Similar in nature to the CAPS NO₂ monitor, the CAPS PM_ex monitor measures optical extinction (the sum of scattering and absorption) caused by the presence of particles in the environment. The rack-mounted instrument operates at one of five prechosen wavelengths – near infrared [760 nm], far red [660 nm], red [630 nm], green [530 nm] or blue [450 nm] – with completely autonomous operation, requiring no expendables. The instrument has a time response of ~ 1 s with a detection limit (3σ) of 2.5 Mm^-1; with1 s sampling, the detection level improves to <0.3 Mm^-1 at 1 minute sampling. This monitor is also available for purchase.

CAPS PM_ssa Particle Single Scattering Albedo Monitor

The CAPS particle single scattering albedo monitor, PM_ssa, provides separate measurements of both particle-induced light extinction and scattering within the same sample volume, enabling accurate and precise measurement of the single scattering albedo for particles with mobility diameters less than 2 microns. In order to enable this, it incorporates an integrating nephelometer within the extinction measurement cell. The response in both channels is highly linear from 0-1000 Mm^-1; the noise level in both channels is < 1 Mm^-1 with 1 s integration time. The scattering channel is calibrated versus the extinction using purely scattering particles (i.e., single scattering albedo of 1.0).

Environmental Monitor for Historical Documents

CSST developed, built and delivered a non-intrusive, optical monitor capable of both monitoring the level of humidity and and detecting air leaks by measuring trace amounts of oxygen within the argon-filled, hermetically sealed enclosures which house the nation’s Charters of Freedom (Declaration of Independence, Constitution and Bill of Rights). Coupled to the encasements using optical fibers, the sensor system utilizes proprietary spectroscopic sensor technology developed by Aerodyne for the measurement of both water vapor and oxygen. It is currently being used by National Archives and Records Administration personnel to ascertain the environmental integrity of the newly-dedicated encasements.

Fast Response Airborne Humidity Sensor

The high speed (5 Hz frequency response), autonomously-operated, humidity sensor is designed to provide highly accurate atmospheric water vapor (humidity) measurements on board research aircraft. Deployed on board a Twin Otter aircraft operated by the Navy’s Center for Interdisciplinary Remotely-Piloted Aircraft Studies (CIRPAS) located at the Naval Postgraduate School, this sensor has successfully provided accurate water vapor measurements in both clear air and within cloud boundaries without any hysteresis. It has been shown to provide far more accurate humidity profiles than competing technologies.

Plant Health Monitor

CSST has developed two versions of a plant health monitor which is sensitive to the photosynthetic activity of green plants and thus to their “health”. One system relies on the passive detection of sunlight-induced chlorophyll fluorescence, utilizing a patented technology which allows the sensor to operate in the presence of ambient sunlight which would otherwise provide an insurmountable interference. A second system incorporates its own light source in order to induce the chlorophyll fluorescence.

Insulated Glass (IG) Window Seal Integrity Sensor

Argon-filled insulated glass (IG) windows are currently filled and shipped without testing for window seal integrity. CSST personnel, using patented technology for the detection of gaseous oxygen, built and demonstrated a non-intrusive, non-contact sensor system to detect the unwanted inflow of air into the window unit. This sensor system was designed with input from the IG window manufacturing industry to ensure compatibility with its testing procedures.