Welcome

Natural Systems Research LLC is dedicated to facilitating scientific research. For many, it is not possible to purchase high priced "state of the art" instrumentation. We strive to provide low cost alternatives by developing research grade instrumentation with new low-cost technologies. Our goal is to facilitate research since scientific research can improve lives at all economic levels worldwide.

Recent Publication

Publication uses LAHM

Khan, Dierssen, Schwarz, Schmitt, Chlus, Hermanson, Painter, and McKnight 2017:

Impacts of coal dust from an active mine on the spectral reflectance of Arctic surface snow in Svalbard, Norway. Journal of Geophysical Research: Atmospheres, vol. 122, 1767-1778

Contact

Email: naturalsystemsresearch (at) gmail (dot) com

  • View from Pisco summit
  • Beautiful views

Light Absorbing Heating Method

The LAHM instrument was developed in response to Natural Systems Research LLC owner's experiences with the American Climber Science Program (ACSP, www.climberscience.org). ACSP began in 2011 and from the beginning, measurements of light absorbing particles on glaciers has been one of the main research projects. The light absorbing particle research led to a publication in The Cryosphere in 2015 which featured an earlier version of the LAHM instrument. Since the 2015 publication, the LAHM instrument has been completely re-developed into the version that we are marketing. For detailed information on version 6.1 of the LAHM instrument, feel free to download the owner's manual. A scientific publication on LAHM 6.1 is currently nearing submission and will be posted online when published.

Currently, four scientific articles have been published in peer reviewed journals which use LAHM instruments:

Torres, Suarez, Schmitt, Estevan, Helmig, 2018: Measurement of light absorbing particles in the snow of the Huaytapallana glacier in the central Andes of Peru and their effect on albedo and radiative forcing, Optica pura y aplicada, vol. 51, issue 4. Link to article

Sanchez Rodriguez and Schmitt, 2018: Partículas absorbentes de luz durante El Niño y El Niño Costero en los glaciares de la Cordillera Blanca, Revista de Glaciares y Ecosistemas de Montaña, vol. 4, 9-22. Link to journal issue

Khan, Dierssen, Schwarz, Schmitt, Chlus, Hermanson, Painter, and McKnight, 2017: Impacts of coal dust from an active mine on the spectral reflectance of Arctic surface snow in Svalbard, Norway. Journal of Geophysical Research: Atmospheres, vol. 122, 1767-1778. Link to article

Schmitt, All, Schwarz, Arnott, Cole, Lapham, and Celestian, 2015: Measurements of light-absorbing particles on the glaciers in the Cordillera Blanca, Peru, The Cryosphere, vol. 9, 331-340. Link to article

Several additional publications are in preparation or in review.

Instrument and equipment prices

If you are interested in an instrument, the cost is $1500. This includes the instrument, all software necessary for operation, and analysis. We calibrate each instrument after manufacture and adjust analysis software for your specific instrument.

Also included is either an in person demonstration / lesson on how to use the instrument or a skype video session if it isn't possible to visit the site.

We will also sell equipment for sampling if you are unable to afford an instrument and can analyze your filters after you collect them. Prices range from $15 to $20 per sample depending on the quantity. This includes all equipment necessary for collecting the samples plus analysis after you return the filters.

Contact us at: naturalsystemsresearch (at) gmail (dot) com