Public Lab Wiki documentation



spectrometer review

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Questions for Spectrometer

Staff notes:

  • can we ever get accurate spectrometry/ is calibration truly possible? Is non-expert use, producing high-quality data truly possible, or is this a learning tool only?
  • I think this tool could definitely benefit from a proof of concept--can we identify an unknown materials by reference to spectra available in the archive
  • Very speculative.... need not to make too many claims. Long-term issues with calibration, brings in experts over technical interest

Barriers: Sample Prep

  • long term goal to create hobbyist engagement and develop lab-grade tool. investigation of spectrometry supports other tools like hyperspectral scanning

Goal for month: document hyperspectral scanning--Hello World--draw more contributors into project Proposed goal for three months: archive of spectra? Proposed goal for six months: Identify plant species Proposed over all goal for year: identify oil contamination water or soil

History/context of tool

  • what inspired it? Use of Spectrometry for chemical analysis in lab
  • who (all) designed/developed/tested it? Where? Jeff/Boston
  • where has it been used and how did it go? Boston, NYC Whitney Workshop, some independent developers have purchased kits
  • how specialized is demand for the tool? broadly applicable or very site/condition specific? Could be broadly used: water analysis-gowanus, air analysis, gas patch

Replicability

  • documentation, transmission to new users
    • no clearly documented use cases, speculation but no specifics on how to achieve naptha/oil profiling, etc. Needs beginner-level support, step users through a use case, with comparative spectra in the spectrum analysis software.
    • tools needed? video camera, camera, something to make spectra, internet, computer
    • skills needed? - what knowledge does it assume? difficulty? ability to understand spectrometry
    • materials needed - supply chain limitations
    • saftey-no immediate safety concerns

Development

  • what is it costing us in staff hours? Jeff spends quite a lot of research time on this
  • what is it costing in materials? relatively low cost assuming you have computer access
  • COTS (consumer-off-the-shelf) effects Tool development driven by low cost/resolution/spectral sensitivity of super cheap video cameras

Maintinance

  • what are the per-use costs? Unclear
  • what are wearing parts? (frequency of replacement) Unclear

Accessibility/legibility

  • are there opportunities for people to participate/contribute
    • there is space for expert contribution but not much for amateurs. Needs a demo experiment,
  • formats: online/offline? The spectral work bench and archive are legible and accessible
  • cost? (dollars, time)
    • $35, two-three hours, whatever it takes to get spectrometry expertise
  • access to materials, components
    • fairly accessible, webcams are almost universal
  • language barrier?
    • Jeff did a Peru workshop, but otherwise all english
  • language: domain-specific, insider/outsider
    • very insider language. needs examples.

change effected

  • how has it measurably/materially affected: Not ready for this stage yet
    • local ecology
    • available/actionable information?
    • decision making
    • legal, policy, regulatory
    • enables participation in a formerly closed information loop

Future:

2012 tool goals:

  • can we ever get accurate spectrometry/ is calibration truly possible? Is non-expert use, producing high-quality data truly possible, or is this a learning tool only?
  • I think this tool could definitely benefit from a proof of concept--can we identify an unknown materials by reference to spectra available in the archive
  • can we integrate with the Aster spectral library on the software side?
  • Test site on a smoke stack?