428 J SCI IND RES VOL 67 JUNE 2008 *Author for correspondence E-mail: skmskm1@rediffmail.com Journal of Scientific & Industrial Research Vol. 67, June 2008, pp. 428-431 Design and development of Multi Parameter Probe (MPP) to measure temperature and hardness inside snow microstructure S K Mittal 1 *, Manjeet Singh 1 , R K Garg 2 and B K Sharma 1 1 Central Scientific Instruments Organisation (CSIO), Chandigarh 160 030 2 Snow & Avalanche Study Establishment (SASE), Chandigarh 160 036 Received 12 October 2007; revised 13 February 2008; accepted 15 February 2008 CSIO Chandigarh has developed a portable Multi Parameter Probe (MPP) to measure temperature and hardness in snow pack. MPP has been tested in snow bound areas in and around Manali in association with SASE (DRDO). In this paper, designing of MPP and field test performance results provide valuable assistance in the study of snow and avalanche pattern over a period of time, thus improving research accuracy and validating research findings. Keywords: Hardness, Multi Parameter Probe (MPP), Snow pack, Temperature Introduction A typical seasonal snow cover is composed of several layers arranged more or less parallel to the soil. Individual snow layers result from various precipitation and snowdrift events. Seasonal snow directly affects life of residents by the danger of avalanches and spring floods in villages living on winter tourism. Reliable avalanche forecast and prevention requires detailed knowledge on properties and composition of snow cover. Several methods 1-3 exist to measure quantitative snow properties in steep slopes, which are only accessible by skis, snowshoes, or helicopter. Snow Micro Pen (SMP) 1,2 , developed by Swiss Federal Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research, measures force-resistance, which derives hardness. SABRE Penetrometer 3 also measures force resistance in snow cover. None of these instruments measures temperature of snow layer along with vertical force resistance/hardness. In India, CSIO has developed successfully a snow penetrometer, named Multi Parameter Probe (MPP). The aim of research work is to design an instrument to measure temperature and hardness profile simultaneously with respect to depth of snowpack. Multi Parameter Probe (MPP) Design Designing and components for MPP have been chosen in such a way, that it can operate in extremely harsh environmental conditions of glaciers. User-friendly operation, lightweight, ultra low power consumption and ruggedness are the main features of MPP 4 . Complete system has following three units (Fig.1):i) Micro- controller based main unit; ii) Motor drive & transducer assembly unit; and iii) Power supply unit. A fast response temperature transducer and quartz force sensor are used at the conical tip of steel rod, which is fitted with motorized drive mechanism. During operation, motor mechanism drives conical tip into snow pack, which senses temperature and force-resistance variations of snow pack. Technical specifications of MPP are as follows: i) It can test new snow (50 kgm 3 ) to very dense snow occurring on ski race track (500 kgm 3 ); ii) It measures force (0-500 N) at every 0.1 mm; iii) It measures temperature at every 1 mm (–50°C to +50°C); iv) It has user selectable penetration speed (range 1-20 mm/s); and v) It can store 4 MB data [minimum 111 full length (1700 mm) measurement data]. Maximum force measurement for different type of snow is as follows: hard snow with ice crusts, 43; very hard snow without ice, 22; hard snow, 9; soft snow, 4; ski race tracks, 435; thick ice crusts, 217; and ice crusts, 87 N.