Project S.P.H.E.R.E. & Protocol LOC-1: Open-Source Acoustic Metrology for Testing the Locational Variable Hypothesis in a 230 kHz Hollow Copper Sphere

Project S.P.H.E.R.E. is a decentralized science (DeSci) and open-source precision metrology initiative designed to evaluate the locational variable hypothesis using rigorous, preregistered experimental controls. This working paper and draft experimental protocol (Protocol LOC-1) specify the instrumentation architecture, environmental isolation controls, and statistical equivalence criteria required to track high-Q acoustic resonance modes above 230 kHz in a precision-machined hollow copper sphere. Key Methodological Components:- Non-Contact Optical Readout: High-frequency surface velocity and modal tracking via Laser Doppler Vibrometry (LDV) paired with Vector Network Analyzer (VNA) swept-sine characterization.- Common-Mode Drift Cancellation: Dual-channel differential metrology referencing a matched control artifact, Rubidium (Rb) atomic frequency standard, and continuous environmental telemetry.- Falsifiability & Bounded Nulls: Pre-specified Two One-Sided Tests (TOST) equivalence bounds designed to publish verifiable null results. Official Project Ecosystem & Links:- Primary Portal: https://spheredesci.org- HTML Whitepaper & Protocol: https://spheredesci.org/whitepaper/- SPHERE Virtual Lab (SPHEREVL): https://spheredesci.org/vl/- Live 3D Simulator: https://lab.spheredesci.org- GitHub Repository: https://github.com/cssofny2/spheredesci.org- Principal Architect: Michael P. Goodman (https://michaelpgoodman.com | ORCID: 0009-0008-3796-5857)