Technology works like an “electronic nose” and captures greenhouse gases before fires spread
Researchers at the University of São Paulo (USP) have developed a smart drone capable of detecting concentrations of carbon dioxide and methane in the air with high precision, acting as a electronic nose The equipment promises to anticipate fire outbreaks and facilitate rapid action by environmental authorities.
The innovation was presented by the São Carlos School of Engineering (EESC-USP) and has immediate application in vulnerable regions, such as the interior of São Paulo. Using low-cost sensors and onboard artificial intelligence, the drones capture atmospheric data in real time and generate volumetric maps of gas emissions, something that satellites and airplanes cannot yet do with the same agility.
How does the “electronic nose” work?
The difference in technology is in continuous and selective collection of gases . Drones detect CO₂, methane, temperature and humidity with precision and they can fly at different altitudes , which allows measurements in layers of the atmosphere. According to the project coordinator, professor Glauco Augusto de Paula Caurin , the system is cheaper and more efficient than conventional methods.
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“We were able to build a solution that replaces airplanes and satellites for certain applications, with greater flexibility and lower cost,” Caurin explained to Agência FAPESP.
The data is processed by artificial intelligence algorithms that interpret patterns, identify sources of gas emissions and warn of potential forest fire risks. The system can also be useful for monitoring environmental impacts in conservation areas and industrial zones.
Advantages over satellites and airplanes
Satellites capture images and data only every two days and at a fixed altitude. Surveillance aircraft are expensive and have limited operational capabilities. USP's smart drones fill this gap with repeated overflights. collection at variable altitudes and mobility in difficult-to-access terrain.
Furthermore, ability to capture volumetric information represents an advance in the analysis of gas distribution. This allows preventive actions more effective, rather than delayed responses to disasters already underway.
Partnerships and the future of technology
The project is part of the Greenhouse Gas Innovation Research Center , supported by FAPESP in partnership with Shell . The team also works on improving drone autonomy , since commercial models fly for only 15 to 30 minutes, a time considered insufficient to cover large forest areas.
The proposal was presented during the FAPESP Week France , realized in Toulouse , and attracted attention for its potential application not only in Brazil, but in other regions of the world affected by fires, such as Australia, California and Africa.
An important step in combating climate change
With the intensification of forest fires across the planet and the urgency of containing greenhouse gas emissions, technological solutions like this are essential. The ability to anticipate fire outbreaks with reliable data and in real time can represent a turning point in the prevention of environmental disasters
Do you believe that the use of drones can truly transform firefighting? Should this technology be widely adopted in Brazil? Share your opinion; we'd love to hear from those who experience this firsthand.