Are your sensors holding you back? Lessons from developing a custom infrasound logger
Abstract
Geophysical advances depend upon improved sensing of the environment made possible through technological innovation. However, novel applications of improved sensors can be difficult to predict in advance; it is easy to lose sight of what could be done with different instrument capabilities once a scientist is experienced with an existing instrument and accustomed to its limitations. We present an illustrative example of when, motivated by the high cost of data loggers used to record infrasound (low-frequency sound) at volcanoes, we developed a custom infrasound logger. We initially had the incremental objective of reducing cost in an application with significant risk of instrument loss. However, in the development process, we recognized and acted on opportunities for major improvements to weight, power consumption, and ease of use. The resulting logger's unique specifications helped it facilitate unforeseen and transformational infrasound applications in addition to its original purpose in volcano infrasound. Due to its extremely light weight, it became a key sensor in high-altitude balloon platforms being developed for nuclear and volcano monitoring and planetary exploration. Its excellent portability and ease of concealment also made it the preferred instrument in whitewater noise studies (with applications to hydrology and ecology). In both cases, the instrument's characteristics led to its unexpected adoption in new research strategies and helped them flourish. We argue that scientists should assess the strengths and weaknesses of their instruments frequently and imagine what new science could be pursued if the instruments could be improved, and that scientists can and should be active participants in improving instrumentation via advocacy or independent development.
- Publication:
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AGU Fall Meeting Abstracts
- Pub Date:
- December 2019
- Bibcode:
- 2019AGUFM.U13C..19A
- Keywords:
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- 0810 Post-secondary education;
- EDUCATION;
- 0815 Informal education;
- EDUCATION