Patent — available for licensing
LED Intensity Decay Particle Tracking Velocimetry (PTV)
A NASA invention available to explore as a licensing opportunity.
About this technology
Overview
Particle tracking velocimetry (PTV) is a common technique used for measuring fluid flow by tracking the motion of small, micron-sized particles seeded in a fluid medium. Traditionally, PTV and its related technique, particle image velocimetry (PIV), rely on high-powered pulsed lasers that generate thin, intense light sheets to illuminate the particles. A high-speed camera captures sequential images, and advanced processing algorithms determine velocity vectors based on the displacement of the particles over time. While effective, these laser-based systems require expensive components, precise optical setups, and complex synchronization between the laser pulses and the camera, making them costly and challenging to implement. Innovators at NASA’s Langley Research Center (LaRC) have developed LED Intensity Decay Particle Tracking Velocimetry (LED-ID PTV), an alternative to conventional PTV that uses light-emitting diodes (LEDs) for flow illumination. LED-ID PTV leverages the natural capacitive intensity decay of LEDs to encode velocity and directional information passively. This approach eliminates the need for expensive cameras capable of double-pulsing exposures, lasers, and intricate timing mechanisms while still delivering high-resolution flow field data. The system is cost-effective, eye-safe, and adaptable to various experimental conditions, making it ideal for aerospace, industrial, and research applications.