Imaging Science Ph.D. Defense: Cody Webber

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imaging science phd defense cody webber

Ph.D. Dissertation Defense
An Examination of Environmental Applications for Uncooled Thermal Infrared Remote Sensing Instruments

Cody Webber
Imaging Science Ph.D. Candidate
Chester F. Carlson Center for Imaging Science, RIT
Advisor: John Kerekes

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Abstract
:

Advancements in system design for thermal instruments require assessment of potential environmental applications and appropriate data processing techniques. A novel multi-band thermal imaging system was proposed by DRS Leonardo for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Earth Science Technology Office Instrument Incubator Program, for which these criteria will be assessed. The Multi-Band Uncooled Radiometer Imager (MURI) is a six spectral channel instrument designed to collect images in the thermal infrared, specifically in the range of 7.5 to 12.5 um. The work detailed in this thesis characterizes the ability of a thermal imager with an uncooled microbolometer focal plane array to provide valuable data for environmental science applications. Here, a pair of studies using simulated data demonstrates the ability of a multispectral instrument such as MURI to detect enhanced levels of atmospheric methane using a novel approach that performs similarly to a state of the art algorithm when applied to MURI data. The novel method is evaluated using a controlled concentration simulated dataset to determine the extent of its detection capabilities and its dependence on atmospheric conditions. Additionally, land surface temperature and emissivity retrieval techniques are applied to experimental MURI data recorded during initial test flights to assess their accuracy with MURI data. Utilizing Split Window and Temperature Emissivity Separation make this examination distinct as this establishes that proven methods can be applied to uncooled multiband imager data. The definition and application of the Normalized Differential Methane Index in this thesis demonstrates a novel approach for detection of enhanced plumes of methane utilizing a multispectral system with only a single band allocated to methane absorption features.

Intended Audience:
Undergraduates, graduates, and experts. Those with interest in the topic.
To request an interpreter, please visit https://myaccess.rit.edu


Contact
Beth Lockwood
Event Snapshot
When and Where
August 05, 2021
10:00 am - 11:00 am
Room/Location: See Zoom Registration Link
Who

Open to the Public

Interpreter Requested?

No

Topics
imaging science
research