Sandia Labs FY22 Laboratory Directed Research & Development Annual Report

RELEASING, DETECTING, AND MODELING TRACE AEROSOLS AND GASES IN EARTH’S STRATOSPHERE. Motivated by climate change and the growing international urge to implement or ban solar climate intervention through the release of aerosols, this project focused on the need to develop an accessible, transparent platform to make in-situ measurements in the lower stratosphere with respect to aerosols, gases, and temperature. Data was acquired from solar heliotrope balloons capable of flying payloads less than 6 lbs. and up to 17-23 km above Earth’s surface for 4-12 hours in daytime free float. The temperature sensors were positively biased compared to global reanalysis data sets, and the gas sampler collected gases from the stratosphere, but had risks of contamination from the solder valve. The Optical Particle Counters reliably measured aerosols in the lower stratosphere with comparable results. This project, in collaboration with Sandia Alliance partners at the University of New Mexico and Texas A&M, Sandia National/Regional partners at the University of Washington, and also at Oklahoma State University, standardized stratospheric atmospheric sampling for the lower stratosphere or analyzation of targeted aerosol-emitting events. It also resulted in two journal publications, two Technical Advances filings, several conference presentations, and positive interactions with government and industry partners at the Federal Aviation Administration, and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. (PI: Lauren Wheeler and Erika Roesler)

A gray plastic balloon just before launch into the lower stratosphere.

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LABORATORY DIRECTED RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT