Getting warmer
As climate change leads to larger and more frequent wildfires, researchers at the US Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory are using sensors, drones and machine learning to both prevent fires and minimise the damage they cause to the electrical grid. Engineers are honing technology to remotely sense electrical arcing and faulty equipment as well as the direction of spreading fires.
Citizen science to the rescue?
Identifying and understanding odour problems in a locality can be confusing and contentious. Citizen science seems increasingly equipped to play a decisive role here, for individuals struggling to secure recognition, and appropriate countermeasures, for nuisance pongs in their vicinity. Envirotec looks at a few recent initiatives
Quick characterisation of critical thermal data
Intelligent sensing solutions firm FLIR (part of Teledyne Technologies) has released the latest versions of FLIR Research Studio software.
Odour management tips shared at one-day conference
A one-day conference on 25 September will explore the range of practical techniques available to help with odour management .
£3 million funding for direct air capture technology in the UK
Almost £3 million in funding has been secured for the direct air capture technology, SMART-DAC, developed by start-up firm CO₂CirculAir BV. It was awarded...
Tackling odour issues in wastewater treatment
Dr Chris Charles of Genesis Biosciences discusses the use of biological products for this purpose.
Fracking: The science, the risks and the regulations
Barnaby Harding, principal hydrogeologist at environmental consultancy ESI, explores the real science behind fracking, the risks to water resources it presents, and how these...
New guidance for GHG emissions published by ADEPT and FHRG
New guidance has been issued, aimed at tackling one of the most pressing issues faced by local highways authorities (LHAs) - consistent carbon measurement...
The solution for multi-agent site monitoring
Casella continues to demonstrate its commitment to helping its customers reduce environmental risks from large construction projects with the Guardian2.
Funding for early detection
Berlin-based start-up Dryad has secured e10.5 million in new funding to help commercialise its solar-powered sensor network for early detection of wildfires.
High performance and low cost odour solutions
Anua Clean Air UK is an established leader in the fields of high performance, low-cost odour and solvent emission abatement primarily based on its patented biofiltration and bioscrubbing technologies.
Microbiologists set sights on landfill bacteria
Scientists at the TSU Biological Institute have launched a research project aimed at better understanding the bacteria behind waste decomposition
Time to get real?
Recent years have seen a concerted drive to better understand and monitor various chemical and physical agents in the workplace, including things like machine vibration. One recent development along these lines is the drive to provide real-time monitoring of dust, as instrumentation firm Casella explains here.
Aerosol appraisal
What is purported to be the first global map of cargo ship pollution has revealed interesting effects including the apparent impact of fuel regulations. The "ship tracks" in clouds, which the study measured, also appear to be helpful in explaining how particulate matter both interacts with clouds and affects global temperatures.
The secret life of clouds
Even the finest particles of pollution influence the process of cloud formation and the rainfall regime, it seems. A study conducted in Manaus, in the Brazilian state of Amazonas, appears to show that oxidation leads small aerosols expelled by factories and car exhausts, for example, to grow very rapidly, reaching up to 400 times their original size, and that this affects raindrop formation.
A fresh crop of data
Record hot temperatures in the UK over the summer caused significant changes to the levels of harmful pollutants such as ozone and particulate matter, prompting a number of novel observations by the National Centre for Atmospheric Science (NCAS).
Sponsored content: Ionization system protects against SARS-CoV-2
In April, Panasonic opened its doors to the media to share information and intelligence on the development of its electrostatic ionization technology, nanoe™ X, which the firm says is helping to improve protection and inhibit the growth of certain viruses – including SARS CoV-2.
Sponsored Content: Guardian2: The solution for multi-agent site monitoring
Casella continues to demonstrate its commitment to helping its customers reduce environmental risks from large construction projects with the Guardian2. The system allows the simultaneous monitoring and reporting of noise, dust, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and vibration as well as wind speed and direction for an all-encompassing assessment of emitted levels. The Guardian2 unit can be ordered with any combination of the mentioned sensors.
Curved barrier shields pedestrians
The team has used airflow modelling techniques to study the effects of unique roadside structures to deflect particulates away from pedestrians
Active commuting is best?
New research seems to find that people who commute by car can be subject to higher levels of harmful pollutants than those who walk or cycle to work.
