SBIR-STTR Award

This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I research project proposes to design and build a miniature, 1 cm3, hyperspectral, imaging module that is so small and light weight that it is easily incorporated into a hand held image capture device with display, head mounted display, or even eyewear. It would be capable of operation over the visible spectrum, into the NIR, possibly in the UV, with 10nm resolution while capturing images at speeds suitable for real-time visualizing of images. The first part of the effort will be to develop a tunable filter module that is suitable for integration into a miniature hyperspectral imaging module. Following demonstration of a satisfactory tunable filter module, it would then be integrated with the image capture optics, sensor, and support electronics into the mini-hyperspectral imaging module which would be capable of capturing images and storing them in memory of a standard PC platform. If successful the outcome of this project will provide a much needed visualization and analytical tool by a diverse array of markets. The proposed miniature, low-cost hyperspectral imaging module would enable an enhanced real-time visualization and analytical tool that delivers improved situational information for informed decision-making in areas such as defense and medicine

This SBIR Phase II research project will address the need to see beyond ordinary human vision, which is critical to improvements in health care delivery, development of precision agriculture methods, guarantee of front-line responder safety and protection, and processing a safe food supply. Hyperspectral imaging, with its ability to capture hundreds of continuous spectra, delivers a valuable tool that provides enhanced visualization and analysis. Current systems tend to be space- or air-borne, large bulky modules that do not lend themselves to portable or hand-held solutions. This mini hyperspectral imager has at its core a novel MEMS monolithic, Fabry-Perot tunable filter and optical system and will be portable and handy, similar in size to a zoom camera in a cell phone. This research and development effort will develop a family of innovative miniature hyperspectral imaging systems that potentially can have a significant impact. These systems can alert our modern war fighter and emergency first responders by seeing beyond our vision and identifying terrorist threats. It can safeguard our nation's water and food supplies by utilizing affordable hyperspectral systems to identify e-coli and other bacterial contaminations before they are consumed.