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?