PSI Laboratories
PSI's laboratories are fully-equipped, state-of-the-art facilities representing millions of dollars of capital investment.
In addition to specialized test and evaluation equipment detailed in the individual laboratory description, PSI maintains networked data acquisition computers for efficient evaluation of experimental results.
As the centerpiece of PSI's technical capabilities, these laboratories represent a source of continuous re-investment and growth.
Laboratories Directory:
| Optical Systems Development Facilities |
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To efficiently test new optical systems concepts, we have established a general purpose optics laboratory. It's equipped with optical benches, lasers and standard optical components which allow the rapid prototyping of a conceptual system. Once critical issues are resolved via this process, the components needed for the deliverable system are specified and ordered.
| Integrated-Optics Fabrication Facility (Pleasanton) |
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This laboratory is used for the production of nonlinear optical materials such as periodically poled lithium niobate (PPLN) and periodically poled stoichiometric lithium tantalate (PPSLT), and for the fabrication of annealed-proton-exchange (APE) waveguides in those materials. A computer-controlled high-voltage power supply, custom electrode structure, and high-voltage electronic circuit are used for periodic poling. Various facilities for design, fabrication and characterization of APE waveguides are also available, including high-temperature baths for proton exchange, a muffle furnace for annealing, and a prism coupler for the measurement of effective refractive indices.
The PSI synthesis group occupies a 1,500 ft2 state of the art organic and polymer synthesis laboratory. The lab is equipped with fume hoods and bench space, analytical balances, a rotary evaporator, a large drying oven, chemical storage, and a broad array of glassware, stirrers and heaters to perform a wide range of chemical reactions. Among the reaction equipment available are two dual manifolds equipped with vacuum pumps and gauges suitable for highly air- and moisture- sensitive reactions. Fine organic chemicals, including monomers and polymers, can be synthesized and characterized in house on a multi-gram scale. Several Parr reactors are available for hydrothermal type synthesis. Additional equipment is available for synthesis of metal oxides by solid state reaction, co‑precipitation, freeze drying and sol-gel methods as needed. Temperature control can be provided with A NESLAB RTE-140 chiller/heater. The ceramic synthesis and characterization capabilities at PSI include a wide range of ovens and furnaces, including a high temperature Lindberg hot rod furnace with controlled atmosphere capability and temperatures to 1800C. Several other smaller tube and box ovens and furnaces are available.
| Characterization Facilities |
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Materials characterization equipment includes an Hitachi Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope equipped with back scatter capability and an EDAX energy-dispersive X‑ray spectrometer, a Varian Gemini 300 Mhz NMR Spectrometer, Shimadzu UV3100 UV/Vis/NIR spectrometer, a Hitachi F-2000 fluorescence spectrometer, a Midac M2500-C FTIR with a range of sample stages and detectors, and a Perkin-Elmer Diamond Differential Scanning Calorimeter (DSC), a new Nicolet 4700 FTIR with MCT detector and reflectance accessory. PSI owns an Instron Model 4442 Load Frame with 10 ft-lb and 1 ft-lb load cells, and mini-grips for low force testing. This load frame is coupled with PC based system control, data acquisition, and processing running Instron Series IX software. The imaging lab contains several optical microscopes. PSI also has a PSS-Nicomp 480 Particle Sizer/Zeta Potential Analyzer which is equipped with an autotitrator for the determination of isoelectric points. Additionally, the company owns several lasers and detectors for Raman spectroscopic characterization. The PSI nuclear magnetic resonance facility houses a Varian Gemini 300 MHz NMR spectrometer equipped with state-of-the-art control software and a broadband probe for performing 1H, 13C, 19F and 31P resonance studies. Major component and trace analyses are performed using an Agilent Technologies 6890N gas chromatograph (GC) with a Model 5975 mass selective detector (MSD). The MSD is equipped with both electron ionization (EI) and chemical ionization (CI) sources. An eight port sampling valve is available for the direct injection of gas phase samples onto the GC column.
| Infrared Imaging Facilities |
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Capabilities include four InSb IR focal plane arrays operating from 2 to 5 um and associated AIRIS multispectral tunable filter systems. Three AIRIS Wide Area detectors providing real-time hazardous gas imaging and tracking can be used individually or linked in a network to provide real-time 4-dimensional tomographic images of chemical cloud evolution at ranges to 5 km. Much of the capability can rapidly be deployed to government test facilities. The sensors are complimented by the presence of two modular FTIR systems for use in either direct absorption or passive sensing modes. A number of blackbody sources and monochromator systems are available for calibration of IR systems. A chemical flow system coupled to an IR cell positioned in front of a controlled thermal contrast background provides the ability to quantitatively test passive chemical imaging approaches prior to field deployment.
| Electrochemistry Facilities |
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The Electrochemistry Lab is equipped with state of the art instrumentation including; Princeton Applied Research (PAR) Model 371 Potentiostat Galvanostat, PAR Model 362 Scanning Potentiostat PAR Model 273 Computer Controllable Potentiostat/Galvanostat, MACCOR 2300 16 Channel Battery Tester, Solartron Analytical Model 12528W Electrochemical Impedance System consisting of a 1287 and1252A with Zplot/Corrware Software, Pine Instruments Analytical Rotator, Pine Instruments Bipotentiostat, Orion pH meter, Micromeritics Flowsorb II 2300 Surface Area Analyzer, Hewlett Packard 5992A Gas Chromatograph/Mass Spectrometer System, as well as ample bench-top space and ventilation hood facilities. Two-electrochemical impedance spectroscopy/electrochemical corrosion systems Gamray Instruments model CMS 100, and PAR model 273A computer-controlled potentiostat with Coreware electrochemical corrosion software, and several corrosion and battery test-cells. The Electrochemistry Lab is also equipped with a VAC dry box dedicated to handling compounds and assembling lithium batteries. Oxygen and moisture detectors are part of the dry-box purification system.
| Thermal Technologies Facilities |
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Full capability is present for the design, component fabrication, and assembly of optical high temperature measurement equipment such as radiometers and pyrometers, as well as heat flux gages and calorimeters for specialty applications. High and low temperature blackbody sources are employed to calibrate these instruments.
| Diagnostic and Sensor Development Facilities |
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PSI maintains several laboratories devoted to the development of electro-optic sensor and flow diagnostic systems and techniques. Extensive laser, photodetector, and test equipment are available for this work. Laser sources include cw Ar-ion, ring-dye, pulsed dye, pulsed and cw Nd:YAG, a number of single-mode diode laser sources between 630 nm and 2.0 microns, and a tunable external cavity diode laser. Photodetectors range from PMTs to proprietary balanced dual beam detector systems to intensified CCD-array cameras for PLIF measurements. Electro-Optic test equipment includes Fabry-Perot etalons, spectrum analyzers, optical multi-pass cells, and a cw wavemeter.
| Chemical Reactor and Environmental Simulation Facilities |
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Sensors and diagnostic techniques are developed using a number of flow and environmental simulation facilities including a premixed flat flame burner, a shrouded jet-diffusion flame burner, and vacuum facilities and pressure chambers capable of static conditions from 200 K to 1100 K and pressures from vacuum to 5 atm. Several laminar flow furnaces are available for the combustion of solids and liquids and for materials synthesis. Standard gas analyzers, aerosol sampling probes, particle impactors for size-segregation of aerosols down to 0.03 µm, thermochemical equilibrium codes, and proprietary codes for calculation of mineral matter transformations and air toxic formation during coal combustion.
| Chemical Sciences Facilities |
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Apparati include two discharge flow reactors, an ultrahigh vacuum chamber (10-10 Torr) incorporating an Auger spectrometer, differentially pumped mass spectrometer, and low energy electron energy analyzer, and a crossed molecular beam system. Associated monochromators, high-speed data acquisition, and fluorescence diagnostics are available. Two pulsed Nd:YAG dye lasers pumping two independent dye laser systems are used in monitoring of transient species in a variety of applications. A CW ring dye laser compliments these sources in the UV and visible wavelengths for state-to-state energy transfer measurements. A multigas excimer laser is available for photochemical generation of transient species or may be used with a dye laser for improved diagnostics capabilities.
| Composites Process Facilities (Haverhill) |
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PSI's 4000 square foot composites process facilities include several furnaces operating at temperatures up to 1750 C. This pilot scale manufacturing facility has fiber pre-forming, process, and furnace capabilities that enable on-site fabrication of ceramic composites. In addition, on-site PSI analytical resources include Field Emission SEM, FTIR, UV-VIS, spectrometer and viscometer, as well as mechanical testing, analytical chemistry, and polymer synthesis facilities.
The Materials Sciences facilities include labs for organic, inorganic, and polymer synthesis as well as labs for materials processing and characterization. The synthesis lab is equipped with fume hoods and bench space, analytical balances, a rotary evaporator, a large drying oven, chemical storage, and a broad array of glassware, stirrers, and heaters to perform a wide range of chemical reactions. Fine organic and inorganic chemicals, including monomers and polymers, can be synthesized and characterized in house on a multi-gram scale. The Materials Technology group has a materials processing lab including electrospinning, spin coating, ink-jet printing, ultrasonic spraying, melt and solution processing equipment. Materials characterization equipment includes a Shimadzu UV3100 UV/Vis/NIR spectrometer, a Hitachi F-2000 Fluorescence Spectrometer, a Midac M2500-C FTIR with a range of sample stages and detectors, a Hewlett-Packard 5890A Gas Chromatograph with electron capture, flame ionization and thermal conductivity detectors, and a temperature-controlled Waters HPLC/GPC system equipped with a Model 600E programmable multisolvent delivery system, Waters 486 tunable UV and Waters 410 refractive index detectors, a fraction collector and the latest version of Waters Millennium data acquisition software. Mechanical properties testing is performed using an Instron Model 4442 Load Frame with 500 N load cells, and mini-grips for low force testing are coupled with a PC running Instron Series IX software.
We maintain a safe, well protected lab and Site Plan document for the synthesis, characterization, storage and shipping of energetic materials, including those classified as DoT 1.1. Our facilities include armored ventilation hoods, portable shields, and a Golan storage magazine located in a concrete materials handling bunker. Our Site Plan includes the safe protocols for generation, shipping and transfer of a wide range of liquid and solid energetic materials and formulations.
| Aerospace Hardware Qualification/Calibration and Materials Testing Facilities |
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PSI maintains three facilities to test and qualify electronic packages and payloads for space missions: TVC-1, a thermal vacuum environmental test chamber for payload testing in a high vacuum environment; TC-1, a thermal environmental chamber for developmental testing of electronic and mechanical packages; and FAST-1, a LEO AO simulation chamber for accelerated materials degradation studies on aircraft surfaces. PSI also maintains optical calibration facilities with multiple UV, visible, and IR sources for radiometric calibration of optical sensors.
PSI operates FAST-1, the only commercial test facility in the U.S. capable of producing the high flux, large area orbital velocity atomic oxygen flows required for multiple-sample accelerated materials testing. FAST-1 is a stainless steel, high vacuum chamber with an internal length of 24 in. and an internal diameter of 7.75 in. equipped with PSI's patented atomic oxygen source capable of producing 5 eV atomic oxygen fluences > 1016 atoms/cm2-s over areas > 100 cm2. A < 10-5 Torr base vacuum level is maintained by a 1500 LPS closed-cycle helium cryopump. Chamber vacuum is continuously monitored with a Granville-Phillips Model 307 Vacuum Gauge Controller. Test samples are usually exposed at room temperature, however temperature requests from -196¡C to +900¡C can be accommodated.
| In-House Optical Sensor Calibration Facilities |
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PSI maintains in-house optical calibration facilities with NIST traceable UV and VIS/NIR irradiance standards, a VIS/NIR tungsten radiance standard, and two blackbody sources: a 300 to 1200 K high temperature blackbody standard, and a very high temperature 500 to 3000 K blackbody standard. PSI has a Shimadzu Model 3100-UV UV/VIS/NIR dual beam spectrometer (190 to 3300 nm) with reflectance attachments, a UV/VIS Hitachi Model F-2000 Spectrofluorimeter (300 to 850 nm), a MIDAC M4400 FTIR (1.5 to 20 µm) and a Nicolet 4700 FTIR (1.5 to 20 µm) for optical transmission and/or reflectance measurements. PSI also has two Bristol 621 wavemeters for near- and mid-IR, as well as several UV/VIS/IR emission spectrometers for optical source quantification.
| Microwave Driven Jet (MIDJetTM) Processing Facility |
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This facility features PSI's patented (Patent Nos. 5,793,013 and 5,973,289) MIDJet™ technology; a microwave torch used to produce high fluence (up to 1024/s) atom or radical beams. Included in the facility is a 1 to 6 kW MIDJet™, two roots-blower pump lines (400 cfm and 2200 cfm), several vacuum/flow facilities ranging from 3-in. to 16-in. diameter, and a differentially pumped quadrupole mass spectrometer. PSI's numerous optical and surface diagnostic instruments are utilized to probe the effects of reactive MIDJet™ beams in gas-phase processes (e.g., energy transfer studies) and on surfaces (e.g., etching, chemical vapor deposition).
| Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Facility |
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We maintain in-house a Varian Gemini 300 MHz NMR spectrometer equipped with state-of-the-art control software and a broadband probe for performing 1H, 13C, 19F, 11B, 15N and 31P resonance studies. The spectrometer is further equipped to run both two-dimensional correlation studies using the COSY and HECTOR techniques, and Nuclear Overhauser Effect (NOE) experiments. In addition, a variable temperature (VT) capability enables detailed analysis of the structure of larger compounds such as polymers and proteins. The NMR facility is available to PSI researchers on a fee‑for‑use basis..
| Biological Sciences Laboratory |
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PSI maintains two BSL-2 laboratories dedicated to the safe handling, testing and manipulation of biological materials including recombinant organisms, and toxins. General equipment includes a chemical fume hood, two Class 2 biosafety cabinets, autoclave, centrifuges, water bath, refrigerator, -20 and -80 degree freezers and incubators. Molecular biology equipment includes a Stratagene Mx 3005 quantitative PCR device, MJ Research thermal cycler, electrophoresis apparatus, a UVP UV transilluminator, an AlphaInnotech FluorChem SP gel documentation system and a spectrophotometer. PSI also has a Leica DMB inverted microscope with several objectives, fluorescence, differential interference contrast (DIC) optics, and ports for several CCD cameras. The microscope is equipped to switch using a mirror between a mercury lamp and laser light sources. The microscope is equipped with a Cooke Corp TE-cooled, high-resolution CCD camera and with a Roper liquid nitrogen cooled camera. Autofocus capability and a motorized stage have recently been added to the microscope. PSI recently invested in a Tecan fluorescence microplate reader and a Helios Gene Gun.
Additionally, PSI has a Shimadzu Model 3100-UV UV/VIS/NIR dual beam spectrometer (190 to 3300 nm) with reflectance attachments and a UV/VIS Hitachi Model F-2000 Spectrofluorimeter (300 to 850 nm).
| Biomedical Optics Facilities |
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PSI conducts several on-going research program for the development of medical diagnostics. These programs include Raman spectroscopy, photodynamic therapy, ophthalmic imaging, blood contamination monitoring, and endoscopic sizing functions. Equipment in the biomedical optics facilities includes ultrafast solid-state lasers, custom-made spectrometers, LN2-cooled CCD cameras, and a variety of laser and superluminescent diode sources.
PSI maintains a BSL‑2 laboratory dedicated to the safe handling, testing, and manipulation of biological materials, including recombinant organisms. This laboratory is outfitted with a sterile microbiology station, including a portable 176 ft2, Class 100 clean room, two Class 2 biosafety cabinets, an autoclave, centrifuges, water baths, refrigerators and incubators. Molecular biology equipment includes a thermal cycler, electrophoresis apparatus, and a UVP UV transilluminator. Furthermore, all equipment required for accurate/cell plating and analysis, including a commercial colony counter, is available. The BSL‑2 laboratory also contains a Leica DMB inverted microscope with several objectives, fluorescence, differential interference contrast (DIC) optics, and ports for several CCD cameras. The microscope is equipped to accept a mercury lamp and laser light sources.
Facilities at PSI’s Andover, MA headquarters and SFO office are available for the Time Domain THz measurements. These instruments can be used for both the rapid acquisition of broadband THz spectra, and for non-spectroscopic Non Destructive Evaluation (NDE) type applications. The Time Domain THz (TD-THz) instrument utilizes a pulsed femtosecond laser source to measure the time dependent field of a THz pulse in the presence and absence of a sample. Spectral information is obtained from Fourier transforms of the time domain data to yield both the absorption spectrum and spectral index of refraction of the material under study. The spectrometer provides over 6 octaves of bandwidth (0.1 to 7 THz) and is capable of absorption measurements with over 5 decades of dynamic range. We have developed the appropriate techniques and acquired the necessary sample handling apparatus to measure the spectra of a variety of species, including gases, liquids, and various condensed phase materials. NDE applications rely on the ability of THz radiation to penetrate and characterize many non-conductive materials that are otherwise opaque in the visible and infrared portions of the spectrum. NDE applications include the non-contact characterization of coatings and materials concealed under coatings.
| Scanning Electron Microscope Facility |
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We maintain in house a Hitachi S‑4300 Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FE‑SEM) has a maximum spatial resolution of 1.5 nm at voltages between 15 to 30 kV. A resolution of 5 nm can be achieved at voltages as low as 1 kV, enabling high resolution imaging of uncoated, non‑conductive materials such as polymers and ceramics. The FE‑SEM is also equipped with a back‑scattered electron detector for obtaining images with atomic mass contrast. The electron microscope facility is fully equipped with sample preparation tools, including a gold‑palladium sputtering chamber and a variety of sample holders. The SEM facility is available to researchers on a fee-for-use basis.
The equipment includes a Hipotronics R50B 50kV power supply, four Gamma High Voltage ES30-0.1P 30 kV power supplies, a variety of injectors, a translation stage for x-y movement, and another for rotation. Several syringe pumps permit flow control at the injector tip to control the Taylor cone. Each system is enclosed in a container permitting operating in a controlled environment; two systems utilize Faraday cage enclosures to reject electric field interference. Each system utilizes a digital imaging camera with a range of lenses, recording devices and image analysis methods available. A large inventory of high performance, commercial, and electroactive polymers provide a range of materials for processing by directed and patterned electrospinning.
Are a 1500 ft2 state of the art organic and polymer synthesis laboratory. The lab is equipped with fume hoods and bench space, analytical balances, a rotary evaporator, a large drying oven, vacuum oven, chemical storage, and a broad array of glassware, stirrers and heaters to perform a wide range of chemical reactions. Among the reaction equipment available are six dual manifolds equipped with vacuum pumps and gauges suitable for highly air- and moisture- sensitive reactions. Two Vacuum Atmospheres glove boxes are also utilized for these reactions. Fine organic chemicals, including monomers and polymers, can be synthesized and characterized in house on a multi-gram scale.
PSI has established a pilot assembly facility to bridge the gap between building instrument prototypes in a laboratory environment to building small pre‑production lots (typically 10 units) of production‑quality devices in a controlled manufacturing environment. In this facility, PSI scientists and engineers to work closely with manufacturing engineers and technicians to develop and document assembly and test procedures, as well as create and verify Bills of Materials, for products that will be built in small quantities. This 1000 sq. ft. flexible space is outfitted with assembly benches and appropriate tools, a clean room section, storage bins, a stock and inventory area, and documentation controls; a Manufacturing Resource Planning (MRP) system is being implemented. The facility is managed by a full‑time Manufacturing Operations Engineer who is supported by part‑time assemblers, a part‑time Quality Engineer, and the PSI engineering team.
| Thermal Vacuum Capabilities |
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TVC-1 is a stainless steel 500 L high vacuum chamber with an internal shroud capable of temperature-controlled operation from -70 C to +80 C. A shroud temperature stability ±0.2 C is maintained by a closed-cycle recirculating bath. Shroud and payload temperatures are monitored by 10 AD8590 sensors and logged by computer. Chamber roughing is performed with an oil-free pumping system consisting of a diaphragm rough pump and two stages of LN2 cooled sorption pumps. A 10-7 Torr base vacuum level is maintained by a 1500 LPS closed-cycle helium cryopump. Chamber vacuum is continuously monitored with a three-sensor MKS Vacuum Gauge Measurement and Control System. System cleanliness is monitored by a computer controlled Quadrupole Mass Spectrometer, and optionally by a Quartz Crystal Microbalance. The internal shroud dimensions are 41 in. long x 26 in. in diameter.
TC-1 is a Tenney Model T20C-3 environmental chamber capable of operation at atmospheric pressure over a temperature range from -70 C to +200 C with a stability of ±0.2 C. Payload temperatures can be monitored by 10 AD8590 temperature sensors and logged by computer. The internal dimensions are 35 in. H x 30 in. W x 31 in. D.
PSI's computer capabilities consist of a broad network of Windows and Linux based computers connected to file, print, web, and ftp servers . These are all behind a secure firewall which is attached to high-speed T-1 lines on the Internet. Together, these systems provide a flexible computational environment for data acquisition, data reduction, analysis and modeling. PSI owns and operates the latest versions of FLUENT, ZEMAX , SolidWorks, commercial software packages which facilitate CFD Calculations, efficient optical design and CAD/CAM prototyping capabilities. In addition, LabVIEW, LabWindows CVI , Matlab, IDL, Igor Pro and other software packages are used in developing laboratory instrumentation, image acquisition and signal processing as well as mathematical modeling. In the laboratory, computers are routinely used for data acquisition and experiment control. PSI builds advanced instrumentation for delivery to customers containing control systems based either on personal computers or embedded microcontrollers.
PSI’s solar laboratory is located in Pleasanton, CA. The solar laboratory is equipped with fabrication facilities and diagnostic instrumentation for mechanical, optical, and thermal characterization of the solar systems. Several PSI solar energy systems have been developed, successfully tested for its capability and delivered to our customers. PSI has two solar concentrator systems: one single-axis tracking concentrator array with four 20-in diamond turned parabolic mirrors; and a two-axis tracking concentrator array with single 27-in parabolic mirror. PSI built and delivered a 1-kW class solar power system for NASA’s exploration program in 2009.
The Disruptive Technology Laboratory is equipped with a VICON Motion Capture system that can track and evaluate moving objects. Eight infrared cameras with frame rates up to 370 frames/s can accommodate different types of motion, such as large-scale motion of a hovering aircraft to small-scale detection of a moth’s flapping wings. The reconfigurable system can be setup in a large open area or wind tunnel.
Objects are fitted with different sized reflective spheres and calibrated with the VICON system. The cameras are able to track single vehicles or multiple platforms within the motion capture arena.
The VICON Nexus and Tracker software applications allow scientists to capture, record and display data in real-time. Also, to best evaluate moving objects, dynamic and kinematic analysis is overlaid on streaming video. Scientists are currently monitoring hawk moth flight and MAV collisions with a wall..
The DTG Laboratory is home to any number and variety of insects. Hawk moths, painted lady butterflies and horseflies are currently living, flying and growing in the Biological Greenhouse. DTG researchers test, fly and study exactly how these nimble miniature fliers create and maintain flight so efficiently. Bugs fly in the VICON Motion Capture Arena and slow speed wind tunnels.
green@psicorp.com