Portable, Hyperspectral Polarization Profiler For Remote Sensing of Vegetation

Containerless Research, Inc.

Evanston, IL

NASA is tapping its expertise and unique remote sensing capabilities for a proof-of-concept demonstration of a simple and inexpensive nitrogen fertilizer control sensor, which may be critical in support of future NASA ground observation

• Beginning in 1997 with NASA SBIR Phase I and II support, CRI delivered to NASA a polarization-sensing device to measure "ground truth" in support of space-based remote sensing
• A simplified, low-cost two-wavelength device was then developed to establish a practical basis for nitrogen fertilizer sensing and control
• Favorable economic impacts to farmers will result from the optimization of fertilizer use, maximizing crop growth while lowering costs
• By reducing nitrogen usage, lower groundwater contamination will occur

• A sensitive and inexpensive remote ground sensing device using CRI's novel plant species identification system may be vital for future NASA earth study programs
• A NASA Illinois Commercialization Center (NICC) Award enabled CRI to define the requirements of the device through expertise provided by NASA
• CRI has continued product development of a spectroscopic photo-polarimeter for application in environmental science, and a low-cost two-wavelength device to sense nitrogen fertilizer needs in agricultural fields
• In-field measurements show applicability for real-time control of fertilizer application on corn fields

• This project supports NASA's need for advanced space sensor research and other mapping applications
• The depolarized reflectance spectra of plants are obtained with precision and sensitivity to plant species and growth factors that are not achieved by conventional reflectance measurements

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