About This Project

Many people living in or near large cities are subject to poor air quality. Cities like Detroit are among the top ten most polluted in the USA with respect to particulate matter and ozone. The focus of this project is the development of a gas sensor array that will measures toxic gases. We will attach the array to a commercial "drone" to build vertical atmospheric profiles of pollution in the urban area surrounding Detroit, Michigan.

Ask the Scientists

What is the context of this research?

Our ability to measure the concentration of ozone and other pollutants in cities is limited as we continue to rely on static, ground based sensors, but we know that these toxic gases have significant vertical profiles. Balloons and light aircraft can reach such low altitudes, but cost several thousand dollars to deploy.

New technologies such as low cost commercial micro-sensors that interface with the "Arduino" micro-controller offer the ability to measure important pollutants like ozone with similar resolution and detection limit as those previously available, but at a fraction of the cost and power demands. Similarly the availability of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) or "drones" for commercial and recreational use now exists at costs that make them more accessible to the average user.

What is the significance of this project?

Nearly half of Americans live in areas with "unhealthy" levels of ozone pollution. Data from the American Lung Association shows exposure to ozone causes irritation of the respiratory system, reduced lung function, aggravation of asthma, and is implicated in premature death. The EPA regulates ozone and states that 'moderate' ozone is above 50 parts per billion. However, this level may be too high and need further regulation in the future.

Studies show ozone across the USA will become far more difficult to keep in check as temperatures rise due to climate change. Studies show that Americans face the risk of a 70% increase in unhealthy summertime ozone events by 2050. Clearly, we need to measure and carefully track changes to this harmful gas now, and in the future.

What are the goals of the project?

The focus of this research is twofold. First, the development of a sensor array that utilizes low power and weight demands, while maintaining low detection limits for ozone and possibly, ozone precursor molecules. The first phase work will focus on purchasing sensors and interfacing them to an "Arduino" microcontroller.

Detection limits will be verified by intercomparison between the new system and an existing ground based ozone-measuring device used by our group. After proof of concept is successful, we will fit the array to a pre-selected commercial UAV or "drone" that can withstand both the power demands and payloads needed to accomplishing the project goals. We will then measure vertical ozone profiles in order to fully understand its three dimensional distribution in our local area.