Revisions for Spectrometer
| 138 | natalie |
February 18, 2015 18:18
| almost 10 years ago
Public Lab's Do-It-Yourself spectrometers are designed to help everyday people detect pollutants where they live.Our community has been working since the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill to develop a cheap, open source, Do-It-Yourself spectrometer which we hope to use to identify oil pollution in soil and water, as well as a range of other possible contaminants. What's spectrometry?Colored light is often a blend of different colors. A spectrometer is a device which splits those colors apart, like a prism, and measures the strength of each color. A typical output of a spectrometer looks like this spectrum of the daytime sky, with the actual light spectrum at the top and the graph of wavelength (horizontal axis) and intensity (vertical axis) below:
Types of spectrometryThere are different ways to use spectrometers, and the key difference is how you illuminate your sample. FluorescenceThis project focuses on fluorescence spectrometry in order to identify oil pollution samples, which is where a high-energy light like an ultraviolet laser is used to excite a sample so that it fluoresces, or glows.
Since different oils fluoresce in different colors, this technique can be used to match an unknown sample with a reference sample to identify it. Read more on the Oil Testing Kit page
EmissionEmission spectroscopy is the kind often done in the classroom, where burning a material emits a colored flame. A spectrum of this colored flame can be used to match a material, but it can be unsafe to burn unknown samples, so we have primarily begun to use this technique to attempt to monitor distant flares, for example at gas refineries in Louisiana, to try to detect heavy metals. [image of refinery watching] AbsorptionAbsorption spectroscopy -- shining a full-spectrum light like a halogen or incandescent (not a fluorescent or laser) through a sample to see what colors are absorbed -- is a bit more difficult in the visible light range, as most of the "fingerprint" features of spectra are too long or too short wavelengths for our webcam-based devices. However, a considerable amount of work has been done on absorption spectrometry of: Make a spectrometerThe Public Lab Spectrometer is a Do-it-Yourself device made from simple materials:
The DVD's tightly packed grooves act as a diffraction grating -- like a prism. Spectrometer construction »The above link offers step-by-step instructions on making your own spectrometer. It features:
Though these specs look pretty good, they still need to be compared rigorously with a traditional laboratory spectrometer. Are you interested in trying it? UpgradesOnce you've built a spectrometer, there are many ways to improve it -- by using a narrower slit, darkening the interior, using a better camera, and more. For upgrading the USB webcam-based Desktop Spectrometry Kit, see http://publiclab.org/wiki/dsk#Upgrades
SoftwareAlong with the physical devices, the Public Lab community has also developed Spectral Workbench, an website to capture data with your spectrometer, analyze and compare spectra, share them in an open database, and comment and collaborate with others. The software includes:
FAQFrequently Asked Questions can be found here » ChallengesThis document, and this methodology, is still under active development. What you see on this page is only the best attempt so far at collating and presenting the work of Public Lab contributors to date. Some of the challenges that remain include:
SoftwareAlong with the physical devices, the Public Lab community has also developed Spectral Workbench, an website to capture data with your spectrometer, analyze and compare spectra, share them in an open database, and comment and collaborate with others. Other usesWhile many of us have focused on identifying oil pollution with fluorescence spectrometry, there are many other uses for cheap, open source spectrometers, and many other ways to use a spectrometer. KickstarterIn 2012, Public Lab ran a Kickstarter project to distribute an early version of our DIY spectrometers to over 1600 people. The video is a bit out of date, but is still a compelling way to understand what we're attempting to do: The Homebrew Sensing Project is made possible in part by the generous support of the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, Knight News Challenge: Health.
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| 137 | warren |
November 16, 2014 17:43
| about 10 years ago
Public Lab's Do-It-Yourself spectrometers are designed to help everyday people detect pollutants where they live.Our community has been working since the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill to develop a cheap, open source, Do-It-Yourself spectrometer which we hope to use to identify oil pollution in soil and water, as well as a range of other possible contaminants. What's spectrometry?Colored light is often a blend of different colors. A spectrometer is a device which splits those colors apart, like a prism, and measures the strength of each color. A typical output of a spectrometer looks like this spectrum of the daytime sky, with the actual light spectrum at the top and the graph of wavelength (horizontal axis) and intensity (vertical axis) below:
Types of spectrometryThere are different ways to use spectrometers, and the key difference is how you illuminate your sample. FluorescenceThis project focuses on fluorescence spectrometry in order to identify oil pollution samples, which is where a high-energy light like an ultraviolet laser is used to excite a sample so that it fluoresces, or glows.
Since different oils fluoresce in different colors, this technique can be used to match an unknown sample with a reference sample to identify it. Read more on the Oil Testing Kit page
EmissionEmission spectroscopy is the kind often done in the classroom, where burning a material emits a colored flame. A spectrum of this colored flame can be used to match a material, but it can be unsafe to burn unknown samples, so we have primarily begun to use this technique to attempt to monitor distant flares, for example at gas refineries in Louisiana, to try to detect heavy metals. [image of refinery watching] AbsorptionAbsorption spectroscopy -- shining a full-spectrum light like a halogen or incandescent (not a fluorescent or laser) through a sample to see what colors are absorbed -- is a bit more difficult in the visible light range, as most of the "fingerprint" features of spectra are too long or too short wavelengths for our webcam-based devices. However, a considerable amount of work has been done on absorption spectrometry of: Make a spectrometerThe Public Lab Spectrometer is a Do-it-Yourself device made from simple materials:
The DVD's tightly packed grooves act as a diffraction grating -- like a prism. Spectrometer construction »The above link offers step-by-step instructions on making your own spectrometer. It features:
Though these specs look pretty good, they still need to be compared rigorously with a traditional laboratory spectrometer. Are you interested in trying it? UpgradesOnce you've built a spectrometer, there are many ways to improve it -- by using a narrower slit, darkening the interior, using a better camera, and more. For upgrading the USB webcam-based Desktop Spectrometry Kit, see http://publiclab.org/wiki/dsk#Upgrades
SoftwareAlong with the physical devices, the Public Lab community has also developed Spectral Workbench, an website to capture data with your spectrometer, analyze and compare spectra, share them in an open database, and comment and collaborate with others. The software includes:
FAQFrequently Asked Questions can be found here » ChallengesThis document, and this methodology, is still under active development. What you see on this page is only the best attempt so far at collating and presenting the work of Public Lab contributors to date. Some of the challenges that remain include:
SoftwareAlong with the physical devices, the Public Lab community has also developed Spectral Workbench, an website to capture data with your spectrometer, analyze and compare spectra, share them in an open database, and comment and collaborate with others. Other usesWhile many of us have focused on identifying oil pollution with fluorescence spectrometry, there are many other uses for cheap, open source spectrometers, and many other ways to use a spectrometer. KickstarterIn 2012, Public Lab ran a Kickstarter project to distribute an early version of our DIY spectrometers to over 1600 people. The video is a bit out of date, but is still a compelling way to understand what we're attempting to do: The Homebrew Sensing Project is made possible in part by the generous support of the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, Knight News Challenge: Health.
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| 136 | warren |
August 07, 2014 21:23
| over 10 years ago
Public Lab's Do-It-Yourself spectrometers are designed to help everyday people detect pollutants where they live.Our community has been working since the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill to develop a cheap, open source, Do-It-Yourself spectrometer which we hope to use to identify oil pollution in soil and water, as well as a range of other possible contaminants. What's spectrometry?Colored light is often a blend of different colors. A spectrometer is a device which splits those colors apart, like a prism, and measures the strength of each color. A typical output of a spectrometer looks like this spectrum of the daytime sky, with the actual light spectrum at the top and the graph of wavelength (horizontal axis) and intensity (vertical axis) below:
Types of spectrometryThere are different ways to use spectrometers, and the key difference is how you illuminate your sample. FluorescenceThis project focuses on fluorescence spectrometry in order to identify oil pollution samples, which is where a high-energy light like an ultraviolet laser is used to excite a sample so that it fluoresces, or glows.
Since different oils fluoresce in different colors, this technique can be used to match an unknown sample with a reference sample to identify it. Read more on the Oil Testing Kit page
EmissionEmission spectroscopy is the kind often done in the classroom, where burning a material emits a colored flame. A spectrum of this colored flame can be used to match a material, but it can be unsafe to burn unknown samples, so we have primarily begun to use this technique to attempt to monitor distant flares, for example at gas refineries in Louisiana, to try to detect heavy metals. [image of refinery watching] AbsorptionAbsorption spectroscopy -- shining a full-spectrum light like a halogen or incandescent (not a fluorescent or laser) through a sample to see what colors are absorbed -- is a bit more difficult in the visible light range, as most of the "fingerprint" features of spectra are too long or too short wavelengths for our webcam-based devices. However, a considerable amount of work has been done on absorption spectrometry of: Make a spectrometerThe Public Lab Spectrometer is a Do-it-Yourself device made from simple materials:
The DVD's tightly packed grooves act as a diffraction grating -- like a prism. Spectrometer construction »The above link offers step-by-step instructions on making your own spectrometer. It features:
Though these specs look pretty good, they still need to be compared rigorously with a traditional laboratory spectrometer. Are you interested in trying it?
SoftwareAlong with the physical devices, the Public Lab community has also developed Spectral Workbench, an website to capture data with your spectrometer, analyze and compare spectra, share them in an open database, and comment and collaborate with others. The software includes:
FAQFrequently Asked Questions can be found here » ChallengesThis document, and this methodology, is still under active development. What you see on this page is only the best attempt so far at collating and presenting the work of Public Lab contributors to date. Some of the challenges that remain include:
SoftwareAlong with the physical devices, the Public Lab community has also developed Spectral Workbench, an website to capture data with your spectrometer, analyze and compare spectra, share them in an open database, and comment and collaborate with others. Other usesWhile many of us have focused on identifying oil pollution with fluorescence spectrometry, there are many other uses for cheap, open source spectrometers, and many other ways to use a spectrometer. KickstarterIn 2012, Public Lab ran a Kickstarter project to distribute an early version of our DIY spectrometers to over 1600 people. The video is a bit out of date, but is still a compelling way to understand what we're attempting to do: The Homebrew Sensing Project is made possible in part by the generous support of the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, Knight News Challenge: Health.
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| 135 | warren |
July 28, 2014 14:27
| over 10 years ago
Public Lab's Do-It-Yourself spectrometers are designed to help everyday people detect pollutants where they live.Our community has been working since the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill to develop a cheap, open source, Do-It-Yourself spectrometer which we hope to use to identify oil pollution in soil and water, as well as a range of other possible contaminants. What's spectrometry?Colored light is often a blend of different colors. A spectrometer is a device which splits those colors apart, like a prism, and measures the strength of each color. A typical output of a spectrometer looks like this spectrum of the daytime sky, with the actual light spectrum at the top and the graph of wavelength (horizontal axis) and intensity (vertical axis) below:
Types of spectrometryThere are different ways to use spectrometers, and the key difference is how you illuminate your sample. FluorescenceThis project focuses on fluorescence spectrometry in order to identify oil pollution samples, which is where a high-energy light like an ultraviolet laser is used to excite a sample so that it fluoresces, or glows.
Since different oils fluoresce in different colors, this technique can be used to match an unknown sample with a reference sample to identify it. Read more on the Oil Testing Kit page
EmissionEmission spectroscopy is the kind often done in the classroom, where burning a material emits a colored flame. A spectrum of this colored flame can be used to match a material, but it can be unsafe to burn unknown samples, so we have primarily begun to use this technique to attempt to monitor distant flares, for example at gas refineries in Louisiana, to try to detect heavy metals. [image of refinery watching] AbsorptionAbsorption spectroscopy is difficult in the visible light range, as most of the "fingerprint" features of spectra are too long or too short wavelengths for our webcam-based devices. However, a considerable amount of work has been done on absorption spectrometry of: Make a spectrometerThe Public Lab Spectrometer is a Do-it-Yourself device made from simple materials:
The DVD's tightly packed grooves act as a diffraction grating -- like a prism. Spectrometer construction »The above link offers step-by-step instructions on making your own spectrometer. It features:
Though these specs look pretty good, they still need to be compared rigorously with a traditional laboratory spectrometer. Are you interested in trying it?
SoftwareAlong with the physical devices, the Public Lab community has also developed Spectral Workbench, an website to capture data with your spectrometer, analyze and compare spectra, share them in an open database, and comment and collaborate with others. The software includes:
FAQFrequently Asked Questions can be found here » ChallengesThis document, and this methodology, is still under active development. What you see on this page is only the best attempt so far at collating and presenting the work of Public Lab contributors to date. Some of the challenges that remain include:
SoftwareAlong with the physical devices, the Public Lab community has also developed Spectral Workbench, an website to capture data with your spectrometer, analyze and compare spectra, share them in an open database, and comment and collaborate with others. Other usesWhile many of us have focused on identifying oil pollution with fluorescence spectrometry, there are many other uses for cheap, open source spectrometers, and many other ways to use a spectrometer. KickstarterIn 2012, Public Lab ran a Kickstarter project to distribute an early version of our DIY spectrometers to over 1600 people. The video is a bit out of date, but is still a compelling way to understand what we're attempting to do: The Homebrew Sensing Project is made possible in part by the generous support of the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, Knight News Challenge: Health.
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| 134 | warren |
July 24, 2014 22:06
| over 10 years ago
Public Lab's Do-It-Yourself spectrometers are designed to help everyday people detect pollutants where they live.Our community has been working since the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill to develop a cheap, open source, Do-It-Yourself spectrometer which we hope to use to identify oil pollution in soil and water, as well as a range of other possible contaminants. What's spectrometry?Colored light is often a blend of different colors. A spectrometer is a device which splits those colors apart, like a prism, and measures the strength of each color. A typical output of a spectrometer looks like this spectrum of the daytime sky, with the actual light spectrum at the top and the graph of wavelength (horizontal axis) and intensity (vertical axis) below:
Types of spectrometryThere are different ways to use spectrometers, and the key difference is how you illuminate your sample. FluorescenceThis project focuses on fluorescence spectrometry in order to identify oil pollution samples, which is where a high-energy light like an ultraviolet laser is used to excite a sample so that it fluoresces, or glows.
Since different oils fluoresce in different colors, this technique can be used to match an unknown sample with a reference sample to identify it. Read more on the Oil Testing Kit page
EmissionEmission spectroscopy is the kind often done in the classroom, where burning a material emits a colored flame. A spectrum of this colored flame can be used to match a material, but it can be unsafe to burn unknown samples, so we have primarily begun to use this technique to attempt to monitor distant flares, for example at gas refineries in Louisiana, to try to detect heavy metals. [image of refinery watching] AbsorptionAbsorption spectroscopy is difficult in the visible light range, as most of the "fingerprint" features of spectra are too long or too short wavelengths for our webcam-based devices. However, a considerable amount of work has been done on absorption spectrometry of: Make a spectrometerThe Public Lab Spectrometer is a Do-it-Yourself device made from simple materials:
The DVD's tightly packed grooves act as a diffraction grating -- like a prism. Spectrometer construction »The above link offers step-by-step instructions on making your own spectrometer. It features:
Though these specs look pretty good, they still need to be compared rigorously with a traditional laboratory spectrometer. Are you interested in trying it?
SoftwareAlong with the physical devices, the Public Lab community has also developed Spectral Workbench, an website to capture data with your spectrometer, analyze and compare spectra, share them in an open database, and comment and collaborate with others. The software includes:
FAQFrequently Asked Questions can be found here » ChallengesThis document, and this methodology, is still under active development. What you see on this page is only the best attempt so far at collating and presenting the work of Public Lab contributors to date. Some of the challenges that remain include:
SoftwareAlong with the physical devices, the Public Lab community has also developed Spectral Workbench, an website to capture data with your spectrometer, analyze and compare spectra, share them in an open database, and comment and collaborate with others. Other usesWhile many of us have focused on identifying oil pollution with fluorescence spectrometry, there are many other uses for cheap, open source spectrometers, and many other ways to use a spectrometer. KickstarterIn 2012, Public Lab ran a Kickstarter project to distribute an early version of our DIY spectrometers to over 1600 people. The video is a bit out of date, but is still a compelling way to understand what we're attempting to do: The Homebrew Sensing Project is made possible in part by the generous support of the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, Knight News Challenge: Health.
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| 133 | warren |
July 24, 2014 20:12
| over 10 years ago
Public Lab's Do-It-Yourself spectrometers are designed to help everyday people detect pollutants where they live.Our community has been working since the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill to develop a cheap, open source, Do-It-Yourself spectrometer which we hope to use to identify oil pollution in soil and water, as well as a range of other possible contaminants. What's spectrometry?Colored light is often a blend of different colors. A spectrometer is a device which splits those colors apart, like a prism, and measures the strength of each color. A typical output of a spectrometer looks like this spectrum of the daytime sky, with the actual light spectrum at the top and the graph of wavelength (horizontal axis) and intensity (vertical axis) below:
Types of spectrometryThere are different ways to use spectrometers, and the key difference is how you illuminate your sample. FluorescenceThis project focuses on fluorescence spectrometry in order to identify oil pollution samples, which is where a high-energy light like an ultraviolet laser is used to excite a sample so that it fluoresces, or glows.
Since different oils fluoresce in different colors, this technique can be used to match an unknown sample with a reference sample to identify it. Read more on the Oil Testing Kit page
EmissionEmission spectroscopy is the kind often done in the classroom, where burning a material emits a colored flame. A spectrum of this colored flame can be used to match a material, but it can be unsafe to burn unknown samples, so we have primarily begun to use this technique to attempt to monitor distant flares, for example at gas refineries in Louisiana, to try to detect heavy metals. [image of refinery watching] AbsorptionAbsorption spectroscopy is difficult in the visible light range, as most of the "fingerprint" features of spectra are too long or too short wavelengths for our webcam-based devices. However, a considerable amount of work has been done on absorption spectrometry of: Make a spectrometerThe Public Lab Spectrometer is a Do-it-Yourself device made from simple materials:
The DVD's tightly packed grooves act as a diffraction grating -- like a prism. Spectrometer construction »The above link offers step-by-step instructions on making your own spectrometer. It features:
Though these specs look pretty good, they still need to be compared rigorously with a traditional laboratory spectrometer. Are you interested in trying it?
SoftwareAlong with the physical devices, the Public Lab community has also developed Spectral Workbench, an website to capture data with your spectrometer, analyze and compare spectra, share them in an open database, and comment and collaborate with others. The software includes:
FAQFrequently Asked Questions can be found here » ChallengesThis document, and this methodology, is still under active development. What you see on this page is only the best attempt so far at collating and presenting the work of Public Lab contributors to date. Some of the challenges that remain include:
SoftwareAlong with the physical devices, the Public Lab community has also developed Spectral Workbench, an website to capture data with your spectrometer, analyze and compare spectra, share them in an open database, and comment and collaborate with others. Other usesWhile many of us have focused on identifying oil pollution with fluorescence spectrometry, there are many other uses for cheap, open source spectrometers, and many other ways to use a spectrometer. KickstarterIn 2012, Public Lab ran a Kickstarter project to distribute an early version of our DIY spectrometers to over 1600 people. The video is a bit out of date, but is still a compelling way to understand what we're attempting to do: The Homebrew Sensing Project is made possible in part by the generous support of the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, Knight News Challenge: Health.
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| 132 | warren |
July 24, 2014 20:10
| over 10 years ago
Public Lab's Do-It-Yourself spectrometers are designed to help everyday people detect pollutants where they live.Our community has been working since the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill to develop a cheap, open source, Do-It-Yourself spectrometer which we hope to use to identify oil pollution in soil and water, as well as a range of other possible contaminants. What's spectrometry?Colored light is often a blend of different colors. A spectrometer is a device which splits those colors apart, like a prism, and measures the strength of each color. A typical output of a spectrometer looks like this spectrum of the daytime sky, with the actual light spectrum at the top and the graph of wavelength (horizontal axis) and intensity (vertical axis) below:
Types of spectrometryThere are different ways to use spectrometers, and the key difference is how you illuminate your sample. FluorescenceThis project focuses on fluorescence spectrometry in order to identify oil pollution samples, which is where a high-energy light like an ultraviolet laser is used to excite a sample so that it fluoresces, or glows.
Since different oils fluoresce in different colors, this technique can be used to match an unknown sample with a reference sample to identify it. You can read more about this technique on the Oil Testing Kit page
EmissionEmission spectroscopy is the kind often done in the classroom, where burning a material emits a colored flame. A spectrum of this colored flame can be used to match a material, but it can be unsafe to burn unknown samples, so we have primarily begun to use this technique to attempt to monitor distant flares, for example at gas refineries in Louisiana, to try to detect heavy metals. [image of refinery watching] AbsorptionAbsorption spectroscopy is difficult in the visible light range, as most of the "fingerprint" features of spectra are too long or too short wavelengths for our webcam-based devices. However, a considerable amount of work has been done on absorption spectrometry of: Make a spectrometerThe Public Lab Spectrometer is a Do-it-Yourself device made from simple materials:
The DVD's tightly packed grooves act as a diffraction grating -- like a prism. Spectrometer construction »The above link offers step-by-step instructions on making your own spectrometer. It features:
Though these specs look pretty good, they still need to be compared rigorously with a traditional laboratory spectrometer. Are you interested in trying it?
SoftwareAlong with the physical devices, the Public Lab community has also developed Spectral Workbench, an website to capture data with your spectrometer, analyze and compare spectra, share them in an open database, and comment and collaborate with others. The software includes:
FAQFrequently Asked Questions can be found here » ChallengesThis document, and this methodology, is still under active development. What you see on this page is only the best attempt so far at collating and presenting the work of Public Lab contributors to date. Some of the challenges that remain include:
SoftwareAlong with the physical devices, the Public Lab community has also developed Spectral Workbench, an website to capture data with your spectrometer, analyze and compare spectra, share them in an open database, and comment and collaborate with others. Other usesWhile many of us have focused on identifying oil pollution with fluorescence spectrometry, there are many other uses for cheap, open source spectrometers, and many other ways to use a spectrometer. KickstarterIn 2012, Public Lab ran a Kickstarter project to distribute an early version of our DIY spectrometers to over 1600 people. The video is a bit out of date, but is still a compelling way to understand what we're attempting to do: The Homebrew Sensing Project is made possible in part by the generous support of the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, Knight News Challenge: Health.
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| 131 | warren |
July 24, 2014 20:09
| over 10 years ago
Public Lab's Do-It-Yourself spectrometers are designed to help everyday people detect pollutants where they live.Our community has been working since the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill to develop a cheap, open source, Do-It-Yourself spectrometer which we hope to use to identify oil pollution in soil and water, as well as a range of other possible contaminants. What's spectrometry?Colored light is often a blend of different colors. A spectrometer is a device which splits those colors apart, like a prism, and measures the strength of each color. A typical output of a spectrometer looks like this spectrum of the daytime sky, with the actual light spectrum at the top and the graph of wavelength (horizontal axis) and intensity (vertical axis) below:
Types of spectrometryThere are different ways to use spectrometers, and the key difference is how you illuminate your sample. FluorescenceThis project focuses on fluorescence spectrometry in order to identify oil pollution samples, which is where a high-energy light like an ultraviolet laser is used to excite a sample so that it fluoresces, or glows.
Since different oils fluoresce in different colors, this technique can be used to match an unknown sample with a reference sample to identify it. You can read more about this technique on the Oil Testing Kit page
EmissionEmission spectroscopy is the kind often done in the classroom, where burning a material emits a colored flame. A spectrum of this colored flame can be used to match a material, but it can be unsafe to burn unknown samples, so we have primarily begun to use this technique to attempt to monitor distant flares, for example at gas refineries in Louisiana, to try to detect heavy metals. [image of refinery watching] AbsorptionAbsorption spectroscopy is difficult in the visible light range, as most of the "fingerprint" features of spectra are too long or too short wavelengths for our webcam-based devices. However, a considerable amount of work has been done on absorption spectrometry of: Make a spectrometerThe Public Lab Spectrometer is a Do-it-Yourself device made from simple materials:
The DVD's tightly packed grooves act as a diffraction grating -- like a prism. Spectrometer construction »The above link offers step-by-step instructions on making your own spectrometer. It features:
Though these specs look pretty good, they still need to be compared rigorously with a traditional laboratory spectrometer. Are you interested in trying it?
SoftwareAlong with the physical devices, the Public Lab community has also developed Spectral Workbench, an website to capture data with your spectrometer, analyze and compare spectra, share them in an open database, and comment and collaborate with others. The software includes:
FAQFrequently Asked Questions can be found here » ChallengesThis document, and this methodology, is still under active development. What you see on this page is only the best attempt so far at collating and presenting the work of Public Lab contributors to date. Some of the challenges that remain include:
SoftwareAlong with the physical devices, the Public Lab community has also developed Spectral Workbench, an website to capture data with your spectrometer, analyze and compare spectra, share them in an open database, and comment and collaborate with others. Other usesWhile many of us have focused on identifying oil pollution with fluorescence spectrometry, there are many other uses for cheap, open source spectrometers, and many other ways to use a spectrometer. KickstarterIn 2012, Public Lab ran a Kickstarter project to distribute an early version of our DIY spectrometers to over 1600 people. The video is a bit out of date, but is still a compelling way to understand what we're attempting to do: The Homebrew Sensing Project is made possible in part by the generous support of the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, Knight News Challenge: Health.
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| 130 | warren |
July 24, 2014 20:05
| over 10 years ago
Public Lab's Do-It-Yourself spectrometers are designed to help everyday people detect pollutants where they live.Our community has been working since the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill to develop a cheap, open source, Do-It-Yourself spectrometer which we hope to use to identify oil pollution in soil and water, as well as a range of other possible contaminants. What's spectrometry?Colored light is often a blend of different colors. A spectrometer is a device which splits those colors apart, like a prism, and measures the strength of each color. A typical output of a spectrometer looks like this spectrum of the daytime sky, with the actual light spectrum at the top and the graph of wavelength (horizontal axis) and intensity (vertical axis) below:
Types of spectrometryThere are different ways to use spectrometers, and the key difference is how you illuminate your sample. FluorescenceThis project focuses on fluorescence spectrometry in order to identify oil pollution samples, which is where a high-energy light like an ultraviolet laser is used to excite a sample so that it fluoresces, or glows.
Since different oils fluoresce in different colors, this technique can be used to match an unknown sample with a reference sample to identify it. You can read more about this technique on the Oil Testing Kit page
EmissionEmission spectroscopy is the kind often done in the classroom, where burning a material emits a colored flame. A spectrum of this colored flame can be used to match a material, but it can be unsafe to burn unknown samples, so we have primarily begun to use this technique to attempt to monitor distant flares, for example at gas refineries in Louisiana, to try to detect heavy metals. [image of refinery watching] AbsorptionAbsorption spectroscopy is difficult in the visible light range, as most of the "fingerprint" features of spectra are too long or too short wavelengths for our webcam-based devices. However, a considerable amount of work has been done on absorption spectrometry of: Make a spectrometerThe Public Lab Spectrometer is a Do-it-Yourself device made from simple materials:
The DVD's tightly packed grooves act as a diffraction grating -- like a prism. Spectrometer construction »The above link offers step-by-step instructions on making your own spectrometer. It features:
Though these specs look pretty good, they still need to be compared rigorously with a traditional laboratory spectrometer. Are you interested in trying it?
SoftwareAlong with the physical devices, the Public Lab community has also developed Spectral Workbench, an website to capture data with your spectrometer, analyze and compare spectra, share them in an open database, and comment and collaborate with others. The software includes:
FAQFrequently Asked Questions can be found here » ChallengesThis document, and this methodology, is still under active development. What you see on this page is only the best attempt so far at collating and presenting the work of Public Lab contributors to date. Some of the challenges that remain include:
SoftwareAlong with the physical devices, the Public Lab community has also developed Spectral Workbench, an website to capture data with your spectrometer, analyze and compare spectra, share them in an open database, and comment and collaborate with others. Other usesWhile many of us have focused on identifying oil pollution with fluorescence spectrometry, there are many other uses for cheap, open source spectrometers, and many other ways to use a spectrometer. KickstarterIn 2012, Public Lab ran a Kickstarter project to distribute an early version of our DIY spectrometers to over 1600 people. The video is a bit out of date, but is still a compelling way to understand what we're attempting to do: The Homebrew Sensing Project is made possible in part by the generous support of the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, Knight News Challenge: Health.
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| 129 | warren |
July 24, 2014 20:02
| over 10 years ago
We have been working since 2010 on a cheap, open source, Do-It-Yourself spectrometer which we hope to use to identify oil contamination in soil and water, as well as a range of other possible pollutants. What's spectrometry?Colored light is often a blend of different colors. A spectrometer is a device which splits those colors apart, like a prism, and measures the strength of each color. A typical output of a spectrometer looks like this spectrum of the daytime sky, with the actual light spectrum at the top and the graph of wavelength (horizontal axis) and intensity (vertical axis) below:
Types of spectrometryThere are different ways to use spectrometers, and the key difference is how you illuminate your sample. FluorescenceThis project focuses on fluorescence spectrometry in order to identify oil pollution samples, which is where a high-energy light like an ultraviolet laser is used to excite a sample so that it fluoresces, or glows.
Since different oils fluoresce in different colors, this technique can be used to match an unknown sample with a reference sample to identify it. You can read more about this technique on the Oil Testing Kit page
EmissionEmission spectroscopy is the kind often done in the classroom, where burning a material emits a colored flame. A spectrum of this colored flame can be used to match a material, but it can be unsafe to burn unknown samples, so we have primarily begun to use this technique to attempt to monitor distant flares, for example at gas refineries in Louisiana, to try to detect heavy metals. [image of refinery watching] AbsorptionAbsorption spectroscopy is difficult in the visible light range, as most of the "fingerprint" features of spectra are too long or too short wavelengths for our webcam-based devices. However, a considerable amount of work has been done on absorption spectrometry of: Make a spectrometerThe Public Lab Spectrometer is a Do-it-Yourself device made from simple materials:
The DVD's tightly packed grooves act as a diffraction grating -- like a prism. Spectrometer construction »The above link offers step-by-step instructions on making your own spectrometer. It features:
Though these specs look pretty good, they still need to be compared rigorously with a traditional laboratory spectrometer. Are you interested in trying it?
SoftwareAlong with the physical devices, the Public Lab community has also developed Spectral Workbench, an website to capture data with your spectrometer, analyze and compare spectra, share them in an open database, and comment and collaborate with others. The software includes:
FAQFrequently Asked Questions can be found here » ChallengesThis document, and this methodology, is still under active development. What you see on this page is only the best attempt so far at collating and presenting the work of Public Lab contributors to date. Some of the challenges that remain include:
SoftwareAlong with the physical devices, the Public Lab community has also developed Spectral Workbench, an website to capture data with your spectrometer, analyze and compare spectra, share them in an open database, and comment and collaborate with others. Other usesWhile many of us have focused on identifying oil pollution with fluorescence spectrometry, there are many other uses for cheap, open source spectrometers, and many other ways to use a spectrometer. KickstarterIn 2012, Public Lab ran a Kickstarter project to distribute an early version of our DIY spectrometers to over 1600 people. The video is a bit out of date, but is still a compelling way to understand what we're attempting to do: The Homebrew Sensing Project is made possible in part by the generous support of the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, Knight News Challenge: Health.
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| 128 | warren |
July 24, 2014 19:36
| over 10 years ago
PurposeChemists use expensive tools called spectrometers (there are several kinds) to analyze unknown solid or liquid samples. We are working on a cheap version which we hope to use to identify oil contamination in water and soil, as well as a range of other possible toxins. Spectrometers can also be used to identify species of plants or crop diseases, assess plumes from smokestacks, and have many other applications.
What's spectrometry?What we perceive as a single color consists of multiple blended colors- just as green paint can be made from mixing yellow and blue paint. A spectrometer is a device that splits light into the various colors it is composed of, which we otherwise cannot distinguish with the naked eye. By viewing a substance through a spectrometer, one can distinguish the exact mixture of colors, which correspond to specific wavelengths of light. These can be compared to other spectra to help identify the sample.
Make a spectrometerThe Public Lab Spectrometer is a Do-it-Yourself device made from simple materials:
The DVD's tightly packed grooves act as a diffraction grating -- basically a prism. Spectrometer construction »The above link offers step-by-step instructions on making your own spectrometer. It features:
Though these specs look pretty good, they still need to be compared rigorously with a traditional laboratory spectrometer. Are you interested in trying it? Uses for open source spectrometryAs we ship to the different Kickstarter backers, we are posting how people have said they plan to use their spectrometers. One group of toxins common to fossil fuel contamination are PAHs, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, which are generally carcinogenic. We're trying to develop a step-by-step experimental procedure to prepare a soil or water sample, shine a full-spectrum light (like a halogen lamp) through it, and detect the missing wavelengths. If you're interested, please chip in to develop and document a consistent way to read samples here: Spectrometer usage »We're also putting together a list of research (some of it our own) to draw upon in developing spectral analysis techniques for anything from soil to grapes to coffee: Spectral Analysis »
Online spectral analysisAlong with the physical tool itself, the PLOTS community has also developed a software suite and online database which allows anyone to upload their data and work with others to try to interpret it. These tools are early prototypes and we're looking for help developing them. Finally, a FAQ with some insights about actually using your spectrometer can be found here:Spectrometer FAQ Advanced topicsGoalsThis is an early-stage, speculative project, but our goals include:
Older designsSeveral older designs have been documented on this site. Guides have been made showing you how to make some of these; they include:
Spectrometers in popular culture
The Homebrew Sensing Project is made possible by the generous support of the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, Knight News Challenge: Health.
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| 127 | warren |
July 24, 2014 19:22
| over 10 years ago
PurposeChemists use expensive tools called spectrometers (there are several kinds) to analyze unknown solid or liquid samples. We are working on a cheap version which we hope to use to identify oil contamination in water and soil, as well as a range of other possible toxins. Spectrometers can also be used to identify species of plants or crop diseases, assess plumes from smokestacks, and have many other applications.
What's spectrometry?What we perceive as a single color consists of multiple blended colors- just as green paint can be made from mixing yellow and blue paint. A spectrometer is a device that splits light into the various colors it is composed of, which we otherwise cannot distinguish with the naked eye. By viewing a substance through a spectrometer, one can distinguish the exact mixture of colors, which correspond to specific wavelengths of light. These can be compared to other spectra to help identify the sample.
Make a spectrometerThe Public Lab Spectrometer is a Do-it-Yourself device made from simple materials:
The DVD's tightly packed grooves act as a diffraction grating -- basically a prism. Spectrometer construction »The above link offers step-by-step instructions on making your own spectrometer. It features:
Though these specs look pretty good, they still need to be compared rigorously with a traditional laboratory spectrometer. Are you interested in trying it? Uses for open source spectrometryAs we ship to the different Kickstarter backers, we are posting how people have said they plan to use their spectrometers. One group of toxins common to fossil fuel contamination are PAHs, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, which are generally carcinogenic. We're trying to develop a step-by-step experimental procedure to prepare a soil or water sample, shine a full-spectrum light (like a halogen lamp) through it, and detect the missing wavelengths. If you're interested, please chip in to develop and document a consistent way to read samples here: Spectrometer usage »We're also putting together a list of research (some of it our own) to draw upon in developing spectral analysis techniques for anything from soil to grapes to coffee: Spectral Analysis »
Online spectral analysisAlong with the physical tool itself, the PLOTS community has also developed a software suite and online database which allows anyone to upload their data and work with others to try to interpret it. These tools are early prototypes and we're looking for help developing them. Finally, a FAQ with some insights about actually using your spectrometer can be found here:Spectrometer FAQ Advanced topicsGoalsThis is an early-stage, speculative project, but our goals include:
Older designsSeveral older designs have been documented on this site. Guides have been made showing you how to make some of these; they include:
Spectrometers in popular culture
The Homebrew Sensing Project is made possible by the generous support of the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, Knight News Challenge: Health.
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| 126 | warren |
July 24, 2014 19:21
| over 10 years ago
PurposeChemists use expensive tools called spectrometers (there are several kinds) to analyze unknown solid or liquid samples. We are working on a cheap version which we hope to use to identify oil contamination in water and soil, as well as a range of other possible toxins. Spectrometers can also be used to identify species of plants or crop diseases, assess plumes from smokestacks, and have many other applications.
What's spectrometry?What we perceive as a single color consists of multiple blended colors- just as green paint can be made from mixing yellow and blue paint. A spectrometer is a device that splits light into the various colors it is composed of, which we otherwise cannot distinguish with the naked eye. By viewing a substance through a spectrometer, one can distinguish the exact mixture of colors, which correspond to specific wavelengths of light. These can be compared to other spectra to help identify the sample.
Make a spectrometerThe Public Lab Spectrometer is a Do-it-Yourself device made from simple materials:
The DVD's tightly packed grooves act as a diffraction grating -- basically a prism. Spectrometer construction »The above link offers step-by-step instructions on making your own spectrometer. It features:
Though these specs look pretty good, they still need to be compared rigorously with a traditional laboratory spectrometer. Are you interested in trying it? Uses for open source spectrometryAs we ship to the different Kickstarter backers, we are posting how people have said they plan to use their spectrometers. One group of toxins common to fossil fuel contamination are PAHs, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, which are generally carcinogenic. We're trying to develop a step-by-step experimental procedure to prepare a soil or water sample, shine a full-spectrum light (like a halogen lamp) through it, and detect the missing wavelengths. If you're interested, please chip in to develop and document a consistent way to read samples here: Spectrometer usage »We're also putting together a list of research (some of it our own) to draw upon in developing spectral analysis techniques for anything from soil to grapes to coffee: Spectral Analysis »
Online spectral analysisAlong with the physical tool itself, the PLOTS community has also developed a software suite and online database which allows anyone to upload their data and work with others to try to interpret it. These tools are early prototypes and we're looking for help developing them. Finally, a FAQ with some insights about actually using your spectrometer can be found here:Spectrometer FAQ Advanced topicsGoalsThis is an early-stage, speculative project, but our goals include:
Older designsSeveral older designs have been documented on this site. Guides have been made showing you how to make some of these; they include:
Spectrometers in popular culture
The Homebrew Sensing Project is made possible by the generous support of the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, Knight News Challenge: Health.
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| 125 | mathew |
March 10, 2014 23:43
| almost 11 years ago
The DIY Spectrometry Kit Kickstarter video from Sept 2012, a great intro to the project. Quick Links
PurposeChemists use expensive tools called spectrometers (there are several kinds) to analyze unknown solid or liquid samples. We are working on a cheap version which we hope to use to identify oil contamination in water and soil, as well as a range of other possible toxins. Spectrometers can also be used to identify species of plants or crop diseases, assess plumes from smokestacks, and have many other applications.
What's spectrometry?What we perceive as a single color consists of multiple blended colors- just as green paint can be made from mixing yellow and blue paint. A spectrometer is a device that splits light into the various colors it is composed of, which we otherwise cannot distinguish with the naked eye. By viewing a substance through a spectrometer, one can distinguish the exact mixture of colors, which correspond to specific wavelengths of light. These can be compared to other spectra to help identify the sample.
Make a spectrometerThe Public Lab Spectrometer is a Do-it-Yourself device made from simple materials:
The DVD's tightly packed grooves act as a diffraction grating -- basically a prism. Spectrometer construction »The above link offers step-by-step instructions on making your own spectrometer. It features:
Though these specs look pretty good, they still need to be compared rigorously with a traditional laboratory spectrometer. Are you interested in trying it? Uses for open source spectrometryAs we ship to the different Kickstarter backers, we are posting how people have said they plan to use their spectrometers. One group of toxins common to fossil fuel contamination are PAHs, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, which are generally carcinogenic. We're trying to develop a step-by-step experimental procedure to prepare a soil or water sample, shine a full-spectrum light (like a halogen lamp) through it, and detect the missing wavelengths. If you're interested, please chip in to develop and document a consistent way to read samples here: Spectrometer usage »We're also putting together a list of research (some of it our own) to draw upon in developing spectral analysis techniques for anything from soil to grapes to coffee: Spectral Analysis »
Online spectral analysisAlong with the physical tool itself, the PLOTS community has also developed a software suite and online database which allows anyone to upload their data and work with others to try to interpret it. These tools are early prototypes and we're looking for help developing them. Finally, a FAQ with some insights about actually using your spectrometer can be found here:Spectrometer FAQ Advanced topicsGoalsThis is an early-stage, speculative project, but our goals include:
Older designsSeveral older designs have been documented on this site. Guides have been made showing you how to make some of these; they include:
Spectrometers in popular culture
The Homebrew Sensing Project is made possible by the generous support of the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, Knight News Challenge: Health.
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| 124 | Shannon |
February 22, 2014 17:16
| almost 11 years ago
The DIY Spectrometry Kit Kickstarter video from Sept 2012, a great intro to the project. Quick Links
PurposeChemists use expensive tools called spectrometers (there are several kinds) to analyze unknown solid or liquid samples. We are working on a cheap version which we hope to use to identify oil contamination in water and soil, as well as a range of other possible toxins. Spectrometers can also be used to identify species of plants or crop diseases, assess plumes from smokestacks, and have many other applications.
What's spectrometry?What we perceive as a single color consists of multiple blended colors- just as green paint can be made from mixing yellow and blue paint. A spectrometer is a device that splits light into the various colors it is composed of, which we otherwise cannot distinguish with the naked eye. By viewing a substance through a spectrometer, one can distinguish the exact mixture of colors, which correspond to specific wavelengths of light. These can be compared to other spectra to help identify the sample.
Make a spectrometerThe Public Lab Spectrometer is a Do-it-Yourself device made from simple materials:
The DVD's tightly packed grooves act as a diffraction grating -- basically a prism. Spectrometer construction »The above link offers step-by-step instructions on making your own spectrometer. It features:
Though these specs look pretty good, they still need to be compared rigorously with a traditional laboratory spectrometer. Are you interested in trying it? Uses for open source spectrometryAs we ship to the different Kickstarter backers, we are posting how people have said they plan to use their spectrometers. One group of toxins common to fossil fuel contamination are PAHs, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, which are generally carcinogenic. We're trying to develop a step-by-step experimental procedure to prepare a soil or water sample, shine a full-spectrum light (like a halogen lamp) through it, and detect the missing wavelengths. If you're interested, please chip in to develop and document a consistent way to read samples here: Spectrometer usage »We're also putting together a list of research (some of it our own) to draw upon in developing spectral analysis techniques for anything from soil to grapes to coffee: Spectral Analysis »
Online spectral analysisAlong with the physical tool itself, the PLOTS community has also developed a software suite and online database which allows anyone to upload their data and work with others to try to interpret it. These tools are early prototypes and we're looking for help developing them. Finally, a FAQ with some insights about actually using your spectrometer can be found here:Spectrometer FAQ Advanced topicsGoalsThis is an early-stage, speculative project, but our goals include:
Older designsSeveral older designs have been documented on this site. Guides have been made showing you how to make some of these; they include:
Spectrometers in popular culture
The Homebrew Sensing Project is made possible by the generous support of the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, Knight News Challenge: Health.
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| 123 | liz |
February 04, 2014 19:03
| about 11 years ago
The DIY Spectrometry Kit Kickstarter video from Sept 2012, a great intro to the project. Quick Links
PurposeChemists use expensive tools called spectrometers (there are several kinds) to analyze unknown solid or liquid samples. We are working on a cheap version which we hope to use to identify oil contamination in water and soil, as well as a range of other possible toxins. Spectrometers can also be used to identify species of plants or crop diseases, assess plumes from smokestacks, and have many other applications.
What's spectrometry?What we perceive as a single color consists of multiple blended colors- just as green paint can be made from mixing yellow and blue paint. A spectrometer is a device that splits light into the various colors it is composed of, which we otherwise cannot distinguish with the naked eye. By viewing a substance through a spectrometer, one can distinguish the exact mixture of colors, which correspond to specific wavelengths of light. These can be compared to other spectra to help identify the sample.
Make a spectrometerThe Public Lab Spectrometer is a Do-it-Yourself device made from simple materials:
The DVD's tightly packed grooves act as a diffraction grating -- basically a prism. Spectrometer construction »The above link offers step-by-step instructions on making your own spectrometer. It features:
Though these specs look pretty good, they still need to be compared rigorously with a traditional laboratory spectrometer. Are you interested in trying it? Uses for open source spectrometryAs we ship to the different Kickstarter backers, we are posting how people have said they plan to use their spectrometers. One group of toxins common to fossil fuel contamination are PAHs, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, which are generally carcinogenic. We're trying to develop a step-by-step experimental procedure to prepare a soil or water sample, shine a full-spectrum light (like a halogen lamp) through it, and detect the missing wavelengths. If you're interested, please chip in to develop and document a consistent way to read samples here: Spectrometer usage »We're also putting together a list of research (some of it our own) to draw upon in developing spectral analysis techniques for anything from soil to grapes to coffee: Spectral Analysis »
Online spectral analysisAlong with the physical tool itself, the PLOTS community has also developed a software suite and online database which allows anyone to upload their data and work with others to try to interpret it. These tools are early prototypes and we're looking for help developing them. Finally, a FAQ with some insights about actually using your spectrometer can be found here:Spectrometer FAQ Advanced topicsGoalsThis is an early-stage, speculative project, but our goals include:
Older designsSeveral older designs have been documented on this site. Guides have been made showing you how to make some of these; they include:
Spectrometers in popular culture
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| 122 | warren |
January 21, 2014 16:56
| about 11 years ago
The DIY Spectrometry Kit Kickstarter video from Sept 2012, a great intro to the project. Quick Links
PurposeChemists use expensive tools called spectrometers (there are several kinds) to analyze unknown solid or liquid samples. We are working on a cheap version which we hope to use to identify oil contamination in water and soil, as well as a range of other possible toxins. Spectrometers can also be used to identify species of plants or crop diseases, assess plumes from smokestacks, and have many other applications.
What's spectrometry?What we perceive as a single color consists of multiple blended colors- just as green paint can be made from mixing yellow and blue paint. A spectrometer is a device that splits light into the various colors it is composed of, which we otherwise cannot distinguish with the naked eye. By viewing a substance through a spectrometer, one can distinguish the exact mixture of colors, which correspond to specific wavelengths of light. These can be compared to other spectra to help identify the sample.
Make a spectrometerThe Public Lab Spectrometer is a Do-it-Yourself device made from simple materials:
The DVD's tightly packed grooves act as a diffraction grating -- basically a prism. Spectrometer construction »The above link offers step-by-step instructions on making your own spectrometer. It features:
Though these specs look pretty good, they still need to be compared rigorously with a traditional laboratory spectrometer. Are you interested in trying it? Uses for open source spectrometryAs we ship to the different Kickstarter backers, we are posting how people have said they plan to use their spectrometers. One group of toxins common to fossil fuel contamination are PAHs, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, which are generally carcinogenic. We're trying to develop a step-by-step experimental procedure to prepare a soil or water sample, shine a full-spectrum light (like a halogen lamp) through it, and detect the missing wavelengths. If you're interested, please chip in to develop and document a consistent way to read samples here: Spectrometer usage »We're also putting together a list of research (some of it our own) to draw upon in developing spectral analysis techniques for anything from soil to grapes to coffee: Spectral Analysis »
Online spectral analysisAlong with the physical tool itself, the PLOTS community has also developed a software suite and online database which allows anyone to upload their data and work with others to try to interpret it. These tools are early prototypes and we're looking for help developing them. Finally, a FAQ with some insights about actually using your spectrometer can be found here:Spectrometer FAQ Advanced topicsGoalsThis is an early-stage, speculative project, but our goals include:
Older designsSeveral older designs have been documented on this site. Guides have been made showing you how to make some of these; they include:
Spectrometers in popular culture
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| 121 | warren |
December 17, 2013 15:48
| about 11 years ago
The DIY Spectrometry Kit Kickstarter video from Sept 2012, a great intro to the project. Quick Links
PurposeChemists use expensive tools called spectrometers (there are several kinds) to analyze unknown solid or liquid samples. We are working on a cheap version which we hope to use to identify oil contamination in water and soil, as well as a range of other possible toxins. Spectrometers can also be used to identify species of plants or crop diseases, assess plumes from smokestacks, and have many other applications.
What's spectrometry?What we perceive as a single color consists of multiple blended colors- just as green paint can be made from mixing yellow and blue paint. A spectrometer is a device that splits light into the various colors it is composed of, which we otherwise cannot distinguish with the naked eye. By viewing a substance through a spectrometer, one can distinguish the exact mixture of colors, which correspond to specific wavelengths of light. These can be compared to other spectra to help identify the sample.
Make a spectrometerThe Public Lab Spectrometer is a Do-it-Yourself device made from simple materials:
The DVD's tightly packed grooves act as a diffraction grating -- basically a prism. Spectrometer construction »The above link offers step-by-step instructions on making your own spectrometer. It features:
Though these specs look pretty good, they still need to be compared rigorously with a traditional laboratory spectrometer. Are you interested in trying it? Uses for open source spectrometryAs we ship to the different Kickstarter backers, we are posting how people have said they plan to use their spectrometers. One group of toxins common to fossil fuel contamination are PAHs, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, which are generally carcinogenic. We're trying to develop a step-by-step experimental procedure to prepare a soil or water sample, shine a full-spectrum light (like a halogen lamp) through it, and detect the missing wavelengths. If you're interested, please chip in to develop and document a consistent way to read samples here: Spectrometer usage »We're also putting together a list of research (some of it our own) to draw upon in developing spectral analysis techniques for anything from soil to grapes to coffee: Spectral Analysis »
Online spectral analysisAlong with the physical tool itself, the PLOTS community has also developed a software suite and online database which allows anyone to upload their data and work with others to try to interpret it. These tools are early prototypes and we're looking for help developing them. Finally, a FAQ with some insights about actually using your spectrometer can be found here:Spectrometer FAQ Advanced topicsGoalsThis is an early-stage, speculative project, but our goals include:
Older designsSeveral older designs have been documented on this site. Guides have been made showing you how to make some of these; they include:
Spectrometers in popular culture
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| 120 | warren |
December 11, 2013 20:26
| about 11 years ago
The DIY Spectrometry Kit Kickstarter video from Sept 2012, a great intro to the project. Quick Links
PurposeChemists use expensive tools called spectrometers (there are several kinds) to analyze unknown solid or liquid samples. We are working on a cheap version which we hope to use to identify oil contamination in water and soil, as well as a range of other possible toxins. Spectrometers can also be used to identify species of plants or crop diseases, assess plumes from smokestacks, and have many other applications.
What's spectrometry?What we perceive as a single color consists of multiple blended colors- just as green paint can be made from mixing yellow and blue paint. A spectrometer is a device that splits light into the various colors it is composed of, which we otherwise cannot distinguish with the naked eye. By viewing a substance through a spectrometer, one can distinguish the exact mixture of colors, which correspond to specific wavelengths of light. These can be compared to other spectra to help identify the sample.
Make a spectrometerThe PLOTS spectrometer is a Do-it-Yourself tool made from simple materials:
The DVD's tightly packed grooves act as a diffraction grating -- basically a prism. Spectrometer construction »The above link offers step-by-step instructions on making your own spectrometer. It features:
Though these specs look pretty good, they still need to be compared rigorously with a traditional laboratory spectrometer. Are you interested in trying it? Uses for open source spectrometryAs we ship to the different Kickstarter backers, we are posting how people have said they plan to use their spectrometers. One group of toxins common to fossil fuel contamination are PAHs, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, which are generally carcinogenic. We're trying to develop a step-by-step experimental procedure to prepare a soil or water sample, shine a full-spectrum light (like a halogen lamp) through it, and detect the missing wavelengths. If you're interested, please chip in to develop and document a consistent way to read samples here: Spectrometer usage »We're also putting together a list of research (some of it our own) to draw upon in developing spectral analysis techniques for anything from soil to grapes to coffee: Spectral Analysis »
Online spectral analysisAlong with the physical tool itself, the PLOTS community has also developed a software suite and online database which allows anyone to upload their data and work with others to try to interpret it. These tools are early prototypes and we're looking for help developing them. Finally, a FAQ with some insights about actually using your spectrometer can be found here:Spectrometer FAQ Advanced topicsGoalsThis is an early-stage, speculative project, but our goals include:
Older designsSeveral older designs have been documented on this site. Guides have been made showing you how to make some of these; they include:
Spectrometers in popular culture
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| 119 | warren |
December 11, 2013 20:26
| about 11 years ago
The DIY Spectrometry Kit Kickstarter video from Sept 2012, a great intro to the project. Quick Links
PurposeChemists use expensive tools called spectrometers (there are several kinds) to analyze unknown solid or liquid samples. We are working on a cheap version which we hope to use to identify oil contamination in water and soil, as well as a range of other possible toxins. Spectrometers can also be used to identify species of plants or crop diseases, assess plumes from smokestacks, and have many other applications.
What's spectrometry?What we perceive as a single color consists of multiple blended colors- just as green paint can be made from mixing yellow and blue paint. A spectrometer is a device that splits light into the various colors it is composed of, which we otherwise cannot distinguish with the naked eye. By viewing a substance through a spectrometer, one can distinguish the exact mixture of colors, which correspond to specific wavelengths of light. These can be compared to other spectra to help identify the sample.
Make a spectrometerThe PLOTS spectrometer is a Do-it-Yourself tool made from simple materials:
The DVD's tightly packed grooves act as a diffraction grating -- basically a prism. Spectrometer construction »The above link offers step-by-step instructions on making your own spectrometer. It features:
Though these specs look pretty good, they still need to be compared rigorously with a traditional laboratory spectrometer. Are you interested in trying it? Uses for open source spectrometryAs we ship to the different Kickstarter backers, we are posting how people have said they plan to use their spectrometers. One group of toxins common to fossil fuel contamination are PAHs, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, which are generally carcinogenic. We're trying to develop a step-by-step experimental procedure to prepare a soil or water sample, shine a full-spectrum light (like a halogen lamp) through it, and detect the missing wavelengths. If you're interested, please chip in to develop and document a consistent way to read samples here: Spectrometer usage »We're also putting together a list of research (some of it our own) to draw upon in developing spectral analysis techniques for anything from soil to grapes to coffee: Spectral Analysis »
Online spectral analysisAlong with the physical tool itself, the PLOTS community has also developed a software suite and online database which allows anyone to upload their data and work with others to try to interpret it. These tools are early prototypes and we're looking for help developing them. Finally, a FAQ with some insights about actually using your spectrometer can be found here:Spectrometer FAQ Advanced topicsGoalsThis is an early-stage, speculative project, but our goals include:
Older designsSeveral older designs have been documented on this site. Guides have been made showing you how to make some of these; they include:
Spectrometers in popular culture
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