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?