Founded in 1977
Biospherical Instruments has rich legacy of innovation and environmental monitoring
Since its inception, Biospherical Instruments (BSI) has broadened its product line and established an international reputation as a leading manufacturer of high-quality optical instruments for the oceanographic, atmospheric, water quality, biological sciences, and defense communities.
BSI’s products include oceanographic and airborne arrays and sensors, global terrestrial UV monitoring systems, water quality monitoring systems for municipal reservoirs, and a wide variety of UV, visible, NIR, and SWIR wavelength radiometers for use in oceanographic and atmospheric research.
Although it was introduced in 1978, the QSL-100 is still found in many labs throughout the world. Photons striking the Teflon® irradiance sphere of this PAR sensor is integrated from all directions, much as an algal cell would collect light for photosynthesis. This photon-collecting sphere is still the basis for our scalar irradiance collectors, the latest of which are the MPS-PAR and AMOUR sensors.
BSI History
2021
Acquired by AdaptiSense, presenting new growth opportunities.
2020
MPE PAR sensor suitable very low light level operations from BioArgo floats.
2019
Release of XRR Radiometer
2014
GUV-3511 UV-NIR Radiometer is developed.
2015
Germar Bernhard of BSI becomes member of the UNEP Environmental Effects Assessment Panel.
2011
C-AIR: Microradiometer based instruments extended to NASA flight operations for ocean color remote sensing.
2011
BSI provides lead author for the NOAA State of the Climate Report.
2008
C-OPS: Microradiometer based instrumentation engineered for challenging environments. Arctic Deployment.
2004
NASA SBIRs fund development of Microradiometers for ocean color research.
1994
New Building with Observation Deck and Calibration Facility.
1992
Cousteau Expedition studying coral bleaching.
1990
Instruments for measuring UV in Oceans.
1989
GUV (Ground UV) Radiometers developed for UV Monitoring Networks.
1987
NSF (National Science Foundation) Commissioned for Ozone Hole impact research in Antarctica.
1979 – 86+
Japanese fisheries, NASA Funding, and Cousteau Cruises.
1978
QSL Laboratory PAR Sensor. Still in use.
1977
Coral Reef PAR Data loggers.
1977
Incorporated.
Leadership Team
