Sequoia Scientific, Inc. has been awarded a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II grant from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to continue developing a new hyperspectral transmissometer (Hyper-c). The grant will fund an additional 24 months of research and development (R&D) to transition the sensor from the laboratory prototype developed under Phase I to a commercial instrument. Mr. Kirby Simon, Science & Technology Lead at Sequoia, will continue his role as principal investigator leading the R&D efforts.
The Hyper-c aims to meet the needs of next-generation remote sensing missions (e.g., PACE) for improved measurements of in-water inherent optical properties (IOPs) to support the development, refinement, and validation of ocean color data products. Sequoia has developed hyperspectral absorption (Hyper-a) and backscattering (Hyper-bb) sensors for IOP measurements under prior NASA SBIR grants, and the Hyper-c stands to complement these sensors by measuring hyperspectral transmission and beam attenuation. Outside of hyperspectral IOP closure, the sensor has broad applications in biogeochemistry research, harmful algal bloom (HAB) monitoring, visibility studies, and other areas of marine and freshwater research.
The grant builds upon the successful 6-month Phase I project completed in February of this year in which a sensor breadboard was designed, assembled, and tested in the laboratory. The sensor successfully performed hyperspectral beam attenuation measurements on samples of interest, with the measurements being benchmarked against a commercial spectrophotometer. Additionally, complementary measurements of inelastic scattering phenomena were performed to showcase the scientific potential of the sensor. The Phase I project advanced the Hyper-c to Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 4.
In Phase II, the sensor breadboard design will be advanced and additional R&D around the transmission and inelastic scattering measurements will be performed. After iteratively designing, testing, and optimizing a submersible prototype of the sensor, two pre-commercial submersible units will be built for testing and validation to TRL 6.
About the grant, Mr. Simon says: “We are honored to receive this award from NASA to commercialize a new hyperspectral transmissometer and excited to continue the work from our Phase I project. The advanced optical measurements made by the Hyper-c will support NASA’s airborne missions and ship-based science campaigns that study the health of our oceans on a global scale.”
To view the project abstract and information about other NASA SBIR Phase II awardees, view the attachment here: https://www.nasa.gov/sbir_sttr/phase-ii/.
For further information, contact Sequoia at www.sequoiasci.com.
Disclaimer: The views and opinions of the authors expressed herein do not necessarily state or reflect those of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the United States Government, or any agency thereof.
Hyperspectral transmissometer (Hyper-c) concept to be developed under NASA SBIR Phase II grant.