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1076-K04-03

Geospatial Remote Sensing Using Advanced Sensor Systems A. Vaseashta Graduate Program in Physical Sciences, on detail from Nanomaterials Processing and Charcaterization Labs., One John Marshall Drive, Huntington, WV, 25575 ABSTRACT Increased demand on monitoring, surveillance, and communication has necessitated satellites with high resolution, accuracy, speed, and authenticity. Phenomenon of plasmonic interactions in nanomaterials has further expanded the realms of possibilities available so far with conventional opto-electronic devices. The nanophotonics structures coupled with lightweight structures and advanced nanotechnology based sensors have resulted in launching of nanosatellites by several countries. The use of nanophotonics in conjunction with integrated micro/nano optoelectronic technologies in space will reduce susceptibility of the system to EMI, weight/volume of cables, and propagation loss while enhancing signal processing speed, spatial resolution near-field imaging, information transmission and storage capacity, and security encryption capabilities. Use of nanomaterials based advanced sensor systems in satellites and aerial remote sensing science and methodologies to improve performance, resolutions, and security is investigated. Use of improvised satellite systems in low to medium earth orbit to achieve medium to high resolution, wide swaths and low noise equivalent reflectance is envisaged. INTRODUCTION: POLLUTION, ENERGY, AND SECURITY Anthropogenic pollution, energy, and international security rank among the top three concerns facing the 21st century. The U.S. Census Bureau reports the world population is about 6.8 B people as of May 2008 with projections that reach 10 B by 2010. The ever increasing demand on energy and resulting increase in pollution has reached alarming levels in some developing countries. It is widely known that long-term exposure to air pollution provokes inflammation, accelerates atherosclerosis, and alters cardiac function. Within the general population, medical studies suggest that inhaling particulate matter (PM) is associated with increased mortality rates which are further magnified for people suffering from diabetes, chronic pulmonary diseases, and inflammatory diseases. Gaseous air pollutants, like NOx, SO2, CO, and CH4, are some of the primary air pollutants in urban and industrial areas. Secondary pollutants are created from the primary pollutants by complex photochemical reactions in the presence of ultra-violet (UV) radiation forming free radicals. Sulfur and oxides of nitrogen (NOx) from industrial emissions transforms into ammonium sulfate and nitrate. In the presence of atmospheric moisture, NOx transforms into HNO3 and HNO2. The role of HNO3 is central in various master physio-chemical processes occurring in earth’s atmosphere as a reservoir molecule of NOx species form “smog”. On a related note, the global war on terrorism calls for increased demand on monitoring and surveillance. Furthermore, accurate weather prediction and environmental pollutio