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Abstract:
The UND and UNF team had a successful HASP
2008 balloon flight for the measurement of the ozone gas profile in the
stratosphere. The nanocrystalline ITO thin film gas sensor array developed
by UNF was used for the detection of the ozone gas profile, while the signal
conditioning and microcontroller circuits developed by UND team were used in
the ozone sensors payload. The profile was nearly matched with the expected
theoretical profile, but the maximum magnitude of the measured value of
ozone was smaller by a few ppm than that of expected value because of
effects from hurricane Ike during the flight period. Based on this fruitful
experimental work, UND-UNF team is proposing for a HASP2009 flight for the
reconfirmation of sensors data using improved versions of the sensors and
payload. Three different types of ozone sensors: nanocrystalline ITO sensors
on rigid substrates of glass and
ceramic and on flexible substrate of
polyimide will be added for the comparison of sensitivity and speed of
response of sensors. Recently, the UNF team invented ITO flexible gas sensor
arrays, which show better sensitivity than that of sensors on glass and
ceramic. In addition, sensors for detection of nitrogen oxides (NOx) in the
top of stratosphere will also be added. The stratosphere may heat up by
absorbing UV radiation due to the destruction of ozone in the presence of
NOx, which could trigger unanticipated climate changes. Sensors for ozone
and NOx
will operate at room temperature with no
need of an external heater, which may diminish power consumption. In
addition, higher bit microcontrollers will be used in the payload for the
improvement of A/D conversion. The surface topography of sensors before and
after flight will be studied using a scanning electron microscope, while
chemical composition of the surface of sensors will be investigated by
energy dispersive analysis of x-rays. This project continues through the
Dakota Space Society student-led consortium.
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