Air pollution is a global issue, and airborne nitrogen compounds greatly contribute to smog. It enters the air from the combustion of fossil fuels, meaning that it comes from machines such as cars and trucks. Exposure, both long and short-term, have negative effects of the environment and the health of humans.
To try to combat this issue, a student branch at Nalla Malla Reddy Engineering College in Hyderabad, India has teamed up with Helping Hands India to create a drone device that detects NO2 in the air using a way that the team aims to be more efficient than the traditional mechanical way to measure the Air Quality Index (AQI). The device they created attaches a sensor to drones, using electromechanical methods to measure the NO2 levels, temperature, and relative humidity.
As this pollution is harmful, the team hopes to bring more accurate and constant awareness to the Air Quality Index, and that the data will be used by the government to provide solutions for our health.
This project was made possible by a $6,800.00 grant from EPICS in IEEE.