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SBIR Phase II: Infrasonic Avalanche Identification

Award Information

Agency:
National Science Foundation 		Branch:
N/A 		Award ID:
63763 		Program Year/Program:
2003 / SBIR
Agency Tracking Number:
0319404 		Solicitation Year:
N/A 		Solicitation Topic Code:
N/A 		Solicitation Number:
N/A
Small Business Information
IML Air Science
555 Absaraka Sheridan, WY 82801
View profile »
Woman-Owned: No
Minority-Owned: No
HUBZone-Owned: No
 
Phase 1
Fiscal Year: 2003
Title: SBIR Phase II: Infrasonic Avalanche Identification
Agency: NSF
Contract: 0449731
Award Amount: $100,000.00
 

Abstract:

This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II research project aims to produce a working prototype sensor array monitoring system that detects, identifies, and localizes the infrasound generated by snow avalanches. The goal of the project is to bring to commercial form automated monitoring systems that improve the safety and welfare of those impacted by avalanche activity. Avalanche-generated infrasound signals can propagate miles from their origin, and provide a basis for automated monitoring and warning systems. Previously developed single sensor infrasound monitoring systems can detect and identify avalanche-generated infrasound in an automated near real-time manner, but performance suffers when avalanche signal amplitudes are small and/or during high wind noise periods. By advancing and refining array-based signal processing algorithms, sensor array monitoring can provide spatial information that greatly improves avalanche signal identification in varying signal and noise conditions while also providing the geographic location of the avalanche signal origin. Identification of avalanche occurrences will improve safety in avalanche prone terrain and minimize direct and indirect costs associated with avalanche activity. Automated notification of unexpected avalanche activity will provide a prompt for early response activities. Knowledge garnered through this project will advance the field of applied infrasonic sensor array monitoring, an infant science. Innovative hardware and software components that are designed and proven will be available for other infrasound monitoring applications such as tornadoes, volcanoes, flash floods, ocean storms, calving glaciers, aura borealis, ridgeline winds, explosions, and aircraft.

Principal Investigator:

Ernest D. Scott
Mr
3076747506
scotte@imlinc.com

Business Contact:

Ernest D. Scott
Mr
3076747506
scotte@imlinc.com
Small Business Information at Submission:

IML Air Science
555 Absaraka Sheridan, WY 82801

EIN/Tax ID:
DUNS: N/A
Number of Employees:
Woman-Owned: No
Minority-Owned: No
HUBZone-Owned: No