Using laser to track gas movement?

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0drake0
Posts: 3
Joined: Sun Oct 12, 2008 3:56 pm
Occupation: Student
Project Question: Using Laser to track gas movements
Project Due Date: March 9, 2009
Project Status: I am just starting

Using laser to track gas movement?

Post by 0drake0 »

Hi I'm new to science research and i'm thinking of doing an experiment on tracking gas movement with laser but I'm not sure if it's even possible. Please, I would like some help! Thank you very much!
barretttomlinson
Former Expert
Posts: 932
Joined: Wed Oct 03, 2007 12:24 am

Re: Using laser to track gas movement?

Post by barretttomlinson »

Hi,

Yes you can use a laser to track movement of gases. One such technique is called LIDAR, and has been used to track winds, clouds, plume of polution from smoke releases, etc. Some places to start researching are:

http://www.lidar.com/

http://www.e-geomatics.gr/LiDAR.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LIDAR

This is a really fascinating field of study. Have fun investigating it!

Best regards,

Barrett Tomlinson
0drake0
Posts: 3
Joined: Sun Oct 12, 2008 3:56 pm
Occupation: Student
Project Question: Using Laser to track gas movements
Project Due Date: March 9, 2009
Project Status: I am just starting

Re: Using laser to track gas movement?

Post by 0drake0 »

Thank you very much for your help, I greatly appreciate it.
0drake0
Posts: 3
Joined: Sun Oct 12, 2008 3:56 pm
Occupation: Student
Project Question: Using Laser to track gas movements
Project Due Date: March 9, 2009
Project Status: I am just starting

Re: Using laser to track gas movement?

Post by 0drake0 »

Hi I'm in a little need for help again. My current idea is to test LIDAR effeciency in different mediums such as underwater, in the fog, or through glass, but I'm not sure if something like this is acceptable. Please help. Thank you very much
ChrisG
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Re: Using laser to track gas movement?

Post by ChrisG »

Hi,
That sounds like a very interesting topic for a science fair project. Can you tell us a little more about what you would plan to do? Do you have a hypothesis or an experimental design yet? LIDAR equipment can be very expensive. Have you figured out a way that you could purchase or borrow equipment, build your own, or to use existing data? Have you thought about the possibility of working with a university mentor who uses this equipment? These are some of the questions you will want to address as you move forward.
Chris
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