Who We Are...
The Fluorescence Spectroscopy Lab (ERDC FSL) is part of the US Army Corps of Engineers, Engineering Research and Development Center,Topographic Engineering Center located in Alexandria, Virginia. the lab has two satellite locations dedicated to different areas of fluorescence and remote sensing research. These facilities are located at Virginia Commonwealth University's Life Sciences Center (LAB 221) at 1000 West Cary Street in Richmond, Virginia. and George Mason University's Center for Nanophotonics Imaging (LAB 431), Manassas, Virginia campus.
ERDC FSL Mission
The Remote Sensing and Fluorescence Labs at ERDC-Research Division are engaged in basic and applied research in fluorescence, reflectance, and thermal sensing for terrain and environmental understanding. Examples of research foci are: 1) the development and modeling of fluorophores as target materials for LiDAR, 2) the collection and analysis of reflectance to support hyperspectral imaging, 3) thermal short- and long-wave emissive spectroscopy and imaging, 4) distributed sensing, and 5) understanding of vegetative fluorescence compounds.
The lab works with a number of federal, state, and local collaborators as well as private industry and institutes inside academia to achieve its goals. Our goals include the application of research resources and energy in the development of fluorescence sensing as both a laboratory and landscape method of remote sensing.
ERDC FSL RESEARCH UPDATE:
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LARIAT - Laser Reconnaissance Intelligence and Telemetry As LiDAR systems have become increasingly capable of delivering tens or even hundreds of returns per pulse, the processing of this data will require novel algorithmic approaches and delivery systems to an analyst. Furthermore, the introduction of in-scene LiDAR-relevant target materials (e.g., retro reflective optics and phosphors) for tagging and tracking (TTL) demands specific algorithms that are more akin to spectral image processing than laser scanning. LiDAR is presently the fastest developing mapping technique in the geospatial sciences. Over the past 10 years, laser scanning technology has developed significant milestones in mapping related to the collection of range points. For example, the time to collect 1 million range points has gone from 15 person-years using traditional survey methods to 1.5 person-years using analytical stereo photogrammetry to 6.7 person-seconds using a LiDAR capable of a Pulse Rate Frequency of 150 kHz. Recently, with the development of full-waveform processing and Geiger-mode systems, it has evolved from a topographic range measurements-only system into a true active remote sensing system. As a remote sensing system, the tactical and terrain analysis benefits of LiDAR have yet to be fully realized. This is further supported as the technology moves away from analog detection and processing (i.e., monopulse detection) to waveform digitization (i.e., full characterization of a target). |
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SeePhaseTM Remote Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging SeePhaseTM, a first-of-its-kind prototype, is an imaging system which remotely acquires, processes, and displays the unique lifetime fluorescence response of interrogated material, which is dependent upon its chemical composition. The first-generation system is presently undergoing ERDC operational applications testing including: 1) direct and surrogate detection of CBRN threat agents and volatile contaminants, 2) intrinsic vegetation-related optical signs reflective of stress and disturbance, 3) foliage cover and concealment, 4) various tagging, tracking and locating (TTL) applications using fluorescence decay. |
Innovative Studies of Vegetation Stress via Fluorescence and other Optical Measures Leaf-level biochemical processes are being linked to landscape level remote sensing signals. Chlorophyll fluorescence, hyperspectral reflectance and thermal imagery are used to examine plant physiological responses to the environment. This work varies from natural stress detection (drought and salinity) to plants as indicators of soils contaminated with hazardous materials, such as explosives. Current research is focused on using optical signatures to discriminate natural from anthropogenic stress. |
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Thermal Infrared (TIR) Broadband imaging is currently being used to identify and characterize plant stress. Grass exhibits an increase in temperature during periods of stress when compared to a non-stressed control. A thermally controlled blackbody is used for calibration of the instrument. |
LiDAR Materials Research for Calibration, Tagging and Tracking Phosphors and retro-reflective materials are being developed and used to work with current and future LiDAR systems. LiDAR is seen as a fast moving remote sensing tool that provides topographic rande and geometric data, but is also capable of activating optical targets. |
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AQUAPATH (Autonomous Querying Threat Agent Sensor for Potable Water Handling) Utilizing fluorescence-based biotechnology and optical reporting, AQUAPATH is a biosensing system comprised of a cluster pf water quality that report in a geospatial wireless network. AQUAPATH is focused on detection of water quality parameters for developing geospatial models of the environment and recovery of potable water supplies via remote sensing that are relevant to military or civil communities.
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WATCHMAN (Wireless AuTonomous Contaminant Hazard Monitoring Network) WATCHMAN broadens the transition of the AQUAPATH system anthology that demonstrates transitional developments and recommendations for the selection of new innovation in multi-sensing technology called HYDRA. The geospatial network backbone is comprised of a mature design and construction that is aimed at expanding a new suite of sensor modalities consisting of additional chem-bio sensing components including Silver HAWQTM, global positioning, regional weather data input, and wide ranging network capabilities. |