The atmospheric boundary layer is characterized by sharp vertical aerosol gradients. We have been making airborne measurements of PM2.5 in the boundary layer using a zero emission electric model aircraft. In addition to the vertical variability, large day to day variability can also be observed as shown below.
Middle school girls participating in the UTD Physics Girls Camp 2012 came to our lab for a test flight of an acrobatic helicopter and demonstration of the thermal imaging.
Portable Gas Sensors Improve Atmospheric Pollution Measurements
The newest member of our airborne fleet nears completion. This plane also has floats that enable it to make water landings as a sea plane. Once tests are complete we hope to install the multiple camera systems for air-borne surveys.
A video of the plane in flight is available here: pc6_footage_640x360
