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Abstract:
Snow is the be-all and end-all for alpine ski resorts. Now a tiny sensor has been developed to determine how much cold gold there is on the slopes and how much more should be produced. The sensor is based on Norwegian radar technology and is no larger than a match head.

Nanoscale impulse radar measures depth of snow and ice

Oslo, Norway | Posted on December 18th, 2012

The sensor can be used in preparing trails as well as slopes at Nordic and Alpine skiing facilities. It can also be used to measure the thickness of ice to determine whether it is safe for cars, for instance.

The processor chip from Novelda is the result of high-level nanotechnology. The minuscule Norwegian-designed silicon chip has already become an international success. Customers around the world are creating applications based on the technology.

Snow measurements available via Google Earth

The US-based company Flat Earth has drawn on Novelda's technology to develop the SDS-715 snow-depth sensor. It is capable of measuring snow depth from 15 cm to 2 m with a margin of error of 3.5 cm.

The sensor is mounted beneath the vehicle that prepares the tracks. Snow depth is measured at one-second intervals. A separate application can be used to display snow depths via Google Earth.

A corresponding system has been approved for use in Russia to measure whether or not ice is thick enough for cars to drive on.

May replace pulse sensors

There are widespread applications for the nanoscale sensor. Eirik Næss-Ulseth, Chairman of the Board in Novelda, envisions integrating the chips into athletic garments to replace pulse sensors that are currently held in place with an elastic band.

"We have already proven that the chips can be used to measure pulse and breathing rates at a distance," he explains.

Novelda was founded as a spin-off company from the University in Oslo. The company's activities have received substantial funding from the Research Council of Norway under the programme for User-driven Research based Innovation (BIA) and the large-scale programme on Core Competence and Value Creation in ICT (VERDIKT), as well from the EU Commission under EUREKA's R&D programme, Eurostars.

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About The Research Council of Norway
The Research Council of Norway plays a vital role in developing and implementing the country''s national research strategy. It acts as:

* a government adviser, identifying present and future needs for knowledge and research;

* a funding agency for independent research programmes and projects, strategic programmes at research institutes, and Norwegian participation in international research programmes;

* a co-ordinator, initiating networks and promoting co-operation between R&D institutions, ministries, business and industry, public agencies and enterprises, other sources of funding, and users of research.

The Executive Board of the Research Council of Norway is responsible for the Council''s policy at the national level. Six research boards, one for each research division, submit annual strategic plans and budgets to the main Executive Board for final approval.

Important research priorities according to the Research Council are:

* basic research

* marine research

* information and communication technology

* health research

* energy and climate research

* biotechnology

* petroleum research

* material science

Approximately one third of Norway''s public sector research investment is channelled through the Research Council. The remainder is transferred directly from the ministries to the relevant research institutions. In 1999, Norway spent a total of NOK 20 billion on R&D, of which public sector allocations accounted for roughly NOK 8.5 billion. In 2003 the Research Council of Norway has a budget of NOK 4,4 billion.