hazardous environments

Optical biosensors use light waves as a probe to detect molecules, and are essential for precise medical diagnostics, personalized medicine, and environmental monitoring. Their performance is dramatically enhanced if they can focus light waves down to the nanometer scale – small enough to detect proteins or amino acids, for example – using nanophotonic structures that ‘squeeze’ light at the surface of a tiny chip. But the generation and detection of light for these nanophotonic biosensors requires bulky, expensive equipment that greatly limits their use in rapid diagnostics or point-of-care settings.So, how do you make a light-based biosensor without an external light source? The answer is: with quantum physics. By harnessing a quantum phenomenon called inelastic electron tunneling, researchers in the <a href="https://www.epfl.ch/labs/bios/">Bionanophotonic Systems Laboratory</a> in EPFL’s School of Engineering have created a biosensor that requires only a steady flow of electrons – in the form of an applied electrical voltage – to illuminate and detect molecules at the same time.“If you think of an electron as a wave, rather than a particle, that wave has a certain low probability of ‘tunneling’ to the other side of an extremely thin insulating barrier while emitting a photon of light. What we have done is create a nanostructure that both forms part of this insulating barrier and increases the probability that light emission will take place,” explains Bionanophotonic Systems Lab researcher Mikhail Masharin.<h2>Trillionth-of-a-gram detection</h2>In short, the design of the team’s nanostructure creates just the right conditions for an electron passing upward through it to cross a barrier of aluminum oxide and arrive at an ultrathin layer of gold. In the process, the electron transfers some of its energy to a collective excitation called a plasmon, which then emits a photon. Their design ensures that the intensity and spectrum of this light changes in response to contact with biomolecules, resulting in a powerful method for extremely sensitive, real-time, label-free detection.<img src="https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wevolver-project-images/froala%2F1751642066841-f6aaae0d.jpg" style="width: 100%px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib">Left: Comparison of light emission from the metasurface when coated with a polymer (orange box) versus no polymer (green box). Right: Comparison of light emission from the metasurface when partially covered with the amino acid alanine (black box) versus no alanine (green box).“Tests showed that our self-illuminating biosensor can detect amino acids and polymers at picogram concentrations – that’s one-trillionth of a gram – rivaling the most advanced sensors available today,” says Bionanophotonic Systems Laboratory head Hatice Altug.The work has been published in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41566-025-01708-y" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Nature Photonics</a> in collaboration with researchers at ETH Zurich, ICFO (Spain), and Yonsei University (Korea).<h2>A dual-purpose metasurface</h2>At the heart of the team’s innovation is a dual functionality: their nanostructure’s gold layer is a metasurface, meaning it exhibits special properties that create the conditions for quantum tunneling, and control the resulting light emission. This control is made possible thanks to the metasurface’s arrangement into a mesh of gold nanowires, which act as ‘nanoantennas’ to concentrate the light at the nanometer volumes required to detect biomolecules efficiently.<blockquote>With potential applications ranging from point-of-care diagnostics to detecting environmental contaminants, this technology represents a new frontier in high-performance sensing systems.<footer>Bionanophotonic Systems Lab researcher Ivan Sinev</footer></blockquote>“Inelastic electron tunneling is a very low-probability process, but if you have a low-probability process occurring uniformly over a very large area, you can still collect enough photons. This is where we have focused our optimization, and it turns out to be a very promising new strategy for biosensing,” says former Bionanophotonic Systems Lab researcher and first author Jihye Lee, now an engineer at Samsung Electronics.In addition to being compact and sensitive, the team’s quantum platform, fabricated at EPFL’s&nbsp;<a href="https://www.epfl.ch/research/facilities/cmi/">Center of MicroNanoTechnology</a>, is scalable and compatible with sensor manufacturing methods. Less than a square millimeter of active area is required for sensing, creating an exciting possibility for handheld biosensors, in contrast to current table-top setups.“Our work delivers a fully integrated sensor that combines light generation and detection on a single chip. With potential applications ranging from point-of-care diagnostics to detecting environmental contaminants, this technology represents a new frontier in high-performance sensing systems,” summarizes Bionanophotonic Systems Lab researcher Ivan Sinev.<hr>ReferencesPlasmonic biosensor enabled by resonant quantum tunnelling. Nature Photonics. <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41566-025-01708-y" rel="noopener" target="_blank" title="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41566-025-01708-y">https://www.nature.com/articles/s41566-025-01708-y</a>

A metasurface of gold nanowires drives quantum light emission and concentrates the resulting light waves to detect biomolecules. 2025 Ella Maru Studio/BIOS EPFL CC BY SA 4.0

Engineers have harnessed quantum physics to detect the presence of biomolecules without the need for an external light source, overcoming a significant obstacle to the use of optical biosensors in healthcare and environmental monitoring settings.

Scientists build first self-illuminating biosensor

Floods are some of the most devastating natural disasters communities in the United States face, causing billions of dollars of damage annually, according to the <a href="https://www.weather.gov/afc/FloodSafety" target="_blank">National Weather Service</a>. A group, including several researchers at Penn State, recently developed a computational model to streamline flood prediction in the continental United States. The researchers said their model offers predictions at unprecedented levels of efficiency and accuracy compared to traditional models, creating simulations with a highly optimized system of processing and simulating data.&nbsp;Their model, which they call a high-resolution differentiable hydrologic and routing model, incorporates big data and physical readings — like data taken from river networks and river flow generation theories — into a system powered by artificial intelligence (AI) to simulate and predict water movement. The team published their approach in <a href="https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1029/2024WR038928" target="_blank">Water Resources Research</a>. &nbsp;A common water model currently used by hydrologists, or researchers who study the water cycle, is the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)’s <a href="https://water.noaa.gov/about/nwm" target="_blank">National Water Model</a> (NWM), according to <a href="https://www.cee.psu.edu/department/directory-detail-g.aspx?q=CXS1024" target="_blank">Chaopeng Shen</a>, professor of civil and environmental engineering at Penn State and co-corresponding author of the paper. The model uses weather data to simulate streamflow — the rate at which water flows in a river — across the continental United States. &nbsp;Traditional models like the NWM must undergo parameter calibration, where large datasets consisting of decades of historical streamflow data from around the United States are processed to set parameters and produce useful simulations. Although this model is widely used by organizations like the National Weather Service to inform flood forecasting, according to Shen, the parameter calibration makes the process very inefficient.&nbsp;“To be accurate with this model, traditionally your data needs to be individually calibrated on a site-by-site basis,” Shen said. “This process is time consuming, expensive and tedious. Our team determined that incorporating machine learning into the calibration process across all the sites could massively improve efficiency and cost effectiveness.”&nbsp;The team’s model implements a subset of AI techniques known as neural networks that efficiently recognizes complex patterns across large, dynamic datasets. Neural networks work like a human brain, creating logical connections between their units, and can effectively operate autonomously and improve over time as they analyze more data. &nbsp;According to <a href="https://www.cee.psu.edu/department/directory-detail-g.aspx?q=yxs275" target="_blank">Yalan Song</a>, assistant research professor of civil and environmental engineering and a co-corresponding author on the paper, the team’s model implements several types of neural networks to recognize the patterns of key parameters and learn how they change in time and space.&nbsp;“By incorporating neural networking, we avoid the site-specific calibration issue and improve the model's efficiency substantially,” Song said. “Rather than approaching each site individually, the neural network applies general principles it interprets from past data to make predictions. This greatly increases efficiency, while still accurately predicting streamflow in areas of the country it may be unfamiliar with.”&nbsp;According to Shen, water models exist that make predictions entirely via machine learning trained on observational data about how water should behave within the range of training data, but the lack of broad physical knowledge supporting these predictions can cause these models to downplay the intensity of previously unseen outliers in simulations. The model may use existing data to infer how a certain amount of rainfall over a set time will raise a particular river, but it would not know how to make a correct prediction when it encounters extreme rainfall events that haven't been recorded in the region in the past. Shen said this can be dangerous in the context of flood prediction and increasing weather extremes, since it would downplay the actual risk. According to Song, the design of their model simultaneously offers the benefits of physics-based models and machine learning models, while improving the accuracy of extreme event predictions.&nbsp;The team trained their new model with a large dataset of streamflow information recorded from a total of 2,800 gauge stations — sites that measure streamflow in rivers— provided by the United States Geological Survey, along with weather data and detailed basin information. Using 15 years’ worth of streamflow data, they tasked their model with predicting and creating a 40-year high-resolution streamflow simulation for river systems across the continental United States. They compared the simulation to the observed data, measuring the variance between the observations and the simulations. The researchers observed substantial improvements — overall by 30% — in streamflow prediction accuracy in approximately 4,000 gauge stations, which included the original 2,800 and additional gauge stations not included in the training data, compared to the current version of the NWM, especially in specific geological areas with unique structures. &nbsp;<img src="https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wevolver-project-images/froala%2F1751501982600-250305-psnbody-chaopeng-shen-water.jpg" style="width: 100%px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib">By implementing AI, the team's water model is able to produce highly accurate streamflow predictions, like the one shown above. The fastest moving river systems appear red, with its speed measured in cubic meters.&nbsp;Credit: Provided by Yalan Song. All Rights Reserved.“Our neural network approaches calibration by learning from the large datasets we have from past readings, while simultaneously considering the physics-based information from the NWM,” Song said. “This allows us to process large datasets very efficiently, without losing the level of detail a physics-based model provides, and at a higher level of consistency and reliability.”&nbsp;Shen said this approach to calibration is not just efficient, but highly consistent, regardless of the region being simulated.&nbsp;“The old approach is not only highly inefficient, but quite inconsistent,” Shen said. “With our new approach, we can create simulations using the same process, regardless of the region we are trying to simulate. As we process more data and create more predictions, our neural network will continue to improve. With a trained neural network, we can generate parameters for the entire U.S. within minutes.”&nbsp;According to Shen, their model is a candidate for use in the next generation framework of NWM that NOAA is developing to improve the standards of flood forecasting around the country. While not yet selected, Shen said their model is “highly competitive” as it is already coupled to this operational framework. However, it may still take time for model users to get comfortable with the AI component of the model, according to Shen, who explained that careful independent evaluations are required to demonstrate the model accuracy can be trusted even in untrained scenarios. The team is working to close the final gap — improving the model’s prediction capability from daily to hourly — to make it more useful for operational applications, like hourly flood watches and warnings. Shen credited the research-to-operation work to civil engineering doctoral candidate Leo Lonzarich, noting that developing a framework other researchers can expand will be key to solving problems and evolving the model as a community. &nbsp;“Once the model is trained, we can generate predictions at unprecedented speed,” Shen explained. “In the past, generating 40 years of high-resolution data through the NWM could take weeks, and required many different super computers working together. Now, we can do it on one system, within hours, so this research could develop extremely rapidly and massively save costs.” &nbsp;Although these models are primarily used for flood prediction, simulations provide hydrologists with information that can be used to predict other major events, such as droughts. Such predictions could be used to inform water resource management, which Shen said could have implications for agriculture and sustainability research.&nbsp;“Because our model is physically interpretable, it can describe river basin features like soil moisture, the baseflow rate of rivers, and groundwater recharge, which is very useful for agriculture and much harder for purely data-driven machine learning to produce,” Shen explained. “We can better understand natural systems that play critical roles in supporting ecosystems and the organisms within them all over the country.”&nbsp;Alongside Shen and Song, the paper’s co-authors from Penn State include Tadd Bindas, who recently earned a doctorate in civil and environmental engineering; Kathryn Lawson, a research associate of deep learning in hydrology; and Penn State civil and environmental engineering doctoral candidates Haoyu Ji, Leo Lonzarich, Jiangtao Liu, Farshid Rahmani and Kamlesh Arun Sawadekar.&nbsp;Additional co-authors include Wouter J.M. Knoben Cyril Thébault and Martyn P. Clark, University of Calgary; Katie van Werkhoven, Sam Lamont and Matthew Denno, Research Triangle Institute; Ming Pan and Yuan Yang, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California, San Diego; Jeremy Rapp, Michigan State University; Mukesh Kumar, Richard Adkins, James Halgren, Trupesh Patel and Arpita Patel, University of Alabama. The Penn State team thanked the computing support offered by University of Alabama.&nbsp;The Cooperative Institute for Research to Operations in Hydrology’s National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Cooperative Agreement, as well as the U.S. Department of Energy, National Energy Research Scientific Computing Center and the California Department of Water Resources Atmospheric River Program supported this research.&nbsp;

A novel framework offers accurate water flow predictions and simulations with unprecedented efficiency

Improving predictions of flood severity, place and time with AI

Clean technology requires a departure from traditional linear thinking about product development. The environmental impact of a technology is not determined solely by its function but by how it integrates into the broader ecosystem of power distribution, data processing, and environmental feedback. That’s why Mouser’s Empowering Innovation Together (EIT) series provides a cross-disciplinary perspective on clean tech.Sustainable outcomes are only achieved through component-level design decisions, system integration, and attention to lifecycle efficiency. &nbsp;The EIT series encompasses a range of technologies, with each installment focusing on specific engineering challenges and how sensor integration, power optimization, and design-for-sustainability principles are reimagining sustainable electronics from the ground up.Read on to see a “wrap-up” of the best of Mouser’s EIT series so far.<h1 dir="ltr">Clean Technology</h1>Solar and wind power are among the most widely used sources of clean energy, a<a href="https://www.mouser.com/empowering-innovation/clean-technology/clean-technology-infographic">nd the EIT series&nbsp;</a>explores how engineers are refining these systems for scalability, integration, and efficiency. Photovoltaic (PV) solar panels, built on semiconductor materials like silicon, are continuing to evolve with the adoption of floating solar arrays (floatovoltaics), which are installed on water to reduce land use and increase output by passively cooling the panels. Building-integrated photovoltaics are also gaining momentum, embedding PV functionality directly into rooftops, façades, and windows to make the built environment itself a platform for generation.<img src="https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wevolver-project-images/froala%2F1751291236009-EIT+1.jpg" style="width: 100%px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib">Forecasting clean technology. (Source: Mouser)Concentrated solar power (CSP) offers a complementary approach, focusing sunlight using mirrors or lenses to drive steam turbines for utility-scale electricity production. These systems benefit from thermally robust components and advanced tracking mechanisms to optimize collection across diurnal and seasonal variations.On the wind energy front, new turbine configurations are expanding the geography of deployment. Onshore wind remains the most cost-effective implementation, but offshore wind farms, located in high-consistency wind corridors, offer greater output potential. Floating offshore turbines make deep-water siting feasible, while vertical-axis wind turbines support urban applications.<h1 dir="ltr">Green Energy Storage&nbsp;</h1><a href="https://www.mouser.com/empowering-innovation/more-topics/green-energy-storage-systems">The Green Energy Storage EIT</a> section explores how one of the greatest challenges in clean energy is the disparity between generation capacity and usable storage. According to the International Energy Agency, while global renewable energy capture reached over 7,800 TWh in 2021, total energy storage capacity remained below 0.5 TWh[1]. There’s clearly an imbalance: renewable sources like solar and wind are intermittent, and without scalable storage, much of the captured energy goes underutilized.Currently, lithium-ion batteries dominate more than 90% of the global energy storage market, due to their high peak efficiency (up to 95%) and compatibility with existing grid applications&nbsp;[1]. However, they are not without drawbacks. Long-term efficiency drops significantly after around 5,000 cycles, and safety remains a concern in systems without continuous thermal or circuit monitoring. Meanwhile, the environmental impact of lithium mining raises sustainability questions around their continued large-scale use.<img src="https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wevolver-project-images/froala%2F1751291282412-EIT+2.jpg" style="width: 100%px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib">Currently, 99.9% of captured green electricity is properly stored. (Source:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.mouser.com/empowering-innovation/more-topics/green-energy-storage-systems/green-energy-gap-infographic" id="isPasted">Mouser</a>)To tackle these challenges head-on, engineers are investigating a variety of novel energy storage technologies. For example, sodium-ion, potassium-ion, and aluminum-based batteries offer better material availability and potentially lower environmental impact. &nbsp;For long-duration applications, mechanical and kinetic solutions are gaining traction. Flywheel energy storage systems (FESS) store kinetic energy with minimal frictional loss, while pumped hydroelectric systems exploit gravitational momentum between water reservoirs to generate grid-scale electricity.Other approaches include compressed air energy storage (CAES), where ambient air is superheated and expanded to drive turbines, and superconducting magnetic energy storage (SMES), which uses cryogenically cooled coils to store energy as magnetic fields. Ultracapacitors are also a promising storage alternatives, offering faster charge cycles and superior energy density in specific use cases.<h1 dir="ltr">Environmental Sensors&nbsp;</h1>Environmental monitoring is fundamental to both compliance and proactive system control. The <a href="https://www.mouser.com/empowering-innovation/more-topics/environmental-sensors">EIT focuses on environmental sensors</a> with a specific focus on low-power gas detectors, particulate monitors, and ambient condition modules for continuous operation in indoor and industrial environments. These sensors support building automation, agriculture, manufacturing, and healthcare.<a href="https://www.mouser.com/empowering-innovation/more-topics/environmental-sensors/indoor-air-quality-risks-infographic">The EIT article on indoor air quality&nbsp;</a>risks illustrates how sensor fusion is used to combine temperature, humidity, CO2, and volatile organic compound (VOC) data into actionable insights. These systems often incorporate edge AI, running anomaly detection or predictive maintenance algorithms locally to reduce latency and bandwidth use. By instrumenting physical spaces, engineers can optimize airflow, energy usage, and occupant comfort while reducing the environmental footprint of commercial and residential buildings.<h1 dir="ltr">Smart Grids</h1>Traditional electrical grids are ill-suited to accommodate decentralized, renewable energy sources. <a href="https://www.mouser.com/empowering-innovation/more-topics/green-energy-storage-systems">The EIT series' coverage of smart grid technologies</a> provides a detailed look at how communication protocols, adaptive controls, and distributed sensors are modernizing energy delivery. Microcontrollers with integrated analog front-ends, power line communication (PLC) modems, and real-time processing units are at the heart of these adaptive systems.Smart meters and distributed energy resources (DER) interfaces depend on synchronized time-domain control and cybersecurity frameworks. The EIT content emphasizes that smart grids are composed of embedded subsystems, each of which demands precision engineering. From load-balancing algorithms running on DSPs to low-latency wireless mesh networks facilitating node-to-node communication, every layer of the grid is being improved by components designed for low power and long service life in rugged field conditions.<h1 dir="ltr">Industry 5.0</h1>Upgrading from Industry 4.0 to Industry 5.0 ushers in a new era of human-machine collaboration. Where Industry 4.0 emphasized smart factories with predictive analytics and interconnected systems, Industry 5.0 integrates these tools with human creativity, adaptability, and ethical design to create more personalized and sustainable systems. <a href="https://www.mouser.com/empowering-innovation/industry5">The EIT series explores this shift&nbsp;</a>through advanced manufacturing technologies and component-level innovation that unlock more adaptive, human-centric production environments.<img src="https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wevolver-project-images/froala%2F1751291304181-EIT3.jpg" style="width: 100%px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib">Industry 5.0 focuses on the humanization of Industry 4.0 technologies. (Source: Mouser)For example, collaborative robots, or cobots, are central to Industry 5.0. Designed to operate safely alongside human workers, they rely on precision motor control, real-time sensor feedback, and AI-powered force-limiting algorithms. These systems are backed by tightly integrated sensor arrays, low-latency processing, and high-reliability power electronics that support flexible, high-mix production lines. Similarly, additive manufacturing technologies such as multi-material 3D printing enable localized, on-demand production with reduced material waste, supported by components that handle thermal management, deposition control, and feedback calibration.Artificial intelligence and blockchain technologies also find practical implementation in Industry 5.0. AI enables dynamic system calibration and data-driven design feedback, while blockchain ensures secure, immutable traceability across decentralized supply chains. Both technologies rely on embedded processors, security modules, and efficient memory architectures to uphold reliability and transparency.<h1 dir="ltr">Empowering Clean Tech Through Innovation</h1>As the EIT series makes clear, clean technology is an evolving process that requires cohesive engineering across disciplines, systems, and components. And, at the heart of this evolution is a shift in mindset where sustainable design is no longer an afterthought. Instead, it begins at the circuit level, in the materials selected, the energy profiles evaluated, and the systems architectures optimized for performance and longevity.&nbsp;Each installment in the EIT series offers a concrete example of how sustainability is enabled through design choices. By showcasing these convergences, Mouser hopes to show the world that building a sustainable future means building better systems. And building better systems means starting with smarter parts and engineering that sees the big picture from the component level upward.<h2 dir="ltr">References</h2>[1] <a href="https://www.mouser.com/empowering-innovation/more-topics/green-energy-storage-systems/green-energy-gap-infographic">https://www.mouser.com/empowering-innovation/more-topics/green-energy-storage-systems/green-energy-gap-infographic</a>

The EIT series encompasses a range of technologies, with each installment focusing on specific engineering challenges and how sensor integration, power optimization, and design-for-sustainability principles are reimagining sustainable electronics from the ground up.

Empowering Clean Tech Through Innovation: A Wrap-Up of Mouser's EIT Series

Electronic Control Unit (ECU) of Modern Electric Car

This article provides a comprehensive technical comparison of CAN vs LIN, examining their architectures, use cases, and performance trade-offs.

CAN vs LIN: A Comprehensive Technical Analysis of Automotive and Industrial Network Protocols

Have you ever wondered how wild animals behave when no one’s watching? Understanding these behaviors is vital for protecting ecosystems—especially as climate change and human expansion alter natural habitats. But collecting this kind of information without interfering has always been tricky.Traditionally, researchers relied on direct observation or sensors strapped to animals—methods that are either disruptive or limited in scope. Camera traps offer a less invasive alternative, but they generate vast amounts of footage that's hard to analyze.<iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/5TCZzPb9LjA?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0&amp;enablejsapi=1&amp;origin=https://www.wevolver.com" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable" data-lf-form-tracking-inspected-kn9eq4roawkarlvp="true" data-lf-yt-playback-inspected-kn9eq4roawkarlvp="true" data-lf-vimeo-playback-inspected-kn9eq4roawkarlvp="true"></iframe>AI could help, but there's a catch: it needs annotated datasets to learn from. Most current video datasets are either scraped from the internet, missing the authenticity of real wild settings, or are small-scale field recordings lacking detail. And few include the kind of rich context—like multiple camera angles or audio—that’s needed to truly understand complex animal behavior.<h2>Introducing MammAlps</h2>To address this challenge, scientists at EPFL have collected and curated&nbsp;<a href="https://eceo-epfl.github.io/MammAlps/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">MammAlps</a>, the first richly annotated, multi-view, multimodal wildlife behavior dataset in collaboration with the Swiss National Park. MammAlps is designed to train AI models for species and behavior recognition tasks, and ultimately to help researchers understand animal behavior better. This work could make conservation efforts faster, cheaper, and smarter.MammAlps was developed by Valentin Gabeff, a PhD student at EPFL under the supervision of Professors Alexander Mathis and Devis Tuia, together with their respective research teams.<iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/hZjktVTozmU?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0&amp;enablejsapi=1&amp;origin=https://www.wevolver.com" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable" data-lf-form-tracking-inspected-kn9eq4roawkarlvp="true" data-lf-yt-playback-inspected-kn9eq4roawkarlvp="true" data-lf-vimeo-playback-inspected-kn9eq4roawkarlvp="true"></iframe><h2 id="isPasted">How MammAlps was developed</h2>The researchers set up nine camera traps that recorded&nbsp;more than 43 hours of raw footage over the course of several weeks. The team then meticulously processed it, using AI tools to detect and track individual animals, resulting in&nbsp;8.5 hours of material showing wildlife interaction.They labeled behaviors using a hierarchical approach, categorizing each moment at two levels: high-level activities like foraging or playing, and finer actions like walking, grooming, or sniffing. This structure allows AI models to interpret behaviors more accurately by linking detailed movements to broader behavioral patterns.To provide AI models with richer context,&nbsp;the team supplemented video with audio recordings and captured “reference scene maps” that documented environmental factors like water sources, bushes, and rocks. This addition al data enables better interpretation of habitat-specific behaviors. They also cross-referenced weather conditions and counts of individuals per event to create more complete scene descriptions.“By incorporating other modalities alongside video, we've shown that AI models can better identify animal behavior,” explains Alexander Mathis. “This multi-modal approach gives us a more complete picture of wildlife behavior.”<h3>A new standard to wildlife monitoring</h3>MammAlps brings a new standard to wildlife monitoring: a full sensory snapshot of animal behavior across multiple angles, sounds, and contexts. It also introduces a&nbsp;“long-term event understanding" benchmark, meaning scientists can now study not just isolated behaviors from short clips, but broader ecological scenes over time—like a wolf stalking a deer across several camera views.Research is still ongoing. The team is currently processing data collected in 2024 and carries out more fieldwork in 2025. These additional surveys are necessary to expand the set of recordings for rare species such as alpine hares and lynx and are also useful to develop methods for the temporal analysis of wildlife behavior over multiple seasons.Building more datasets like MammAlps could radically scale up current wildlife monitoring efforts by enabling AI models to identify behaviors of interest from hundreds of hours of video. This would provide wildlife conservationists with timely, actionable insights. Over time, this could make it easier to track how climate change, human encroachment, or disease outbreaks impact wildlife behavior, and help protect vulnerable species.For more information about MammAlps and access to the dataset, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://eceo-epfl.github.io/MammAlps/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://eceo-epfl.github.io/MammAlps/</a>.MammAlps was selected to feature as a Highlight at the&nbsp;<a href="https://cvpr.thecvf.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">IEEE/CVF Computer Vision and Pattern Recognition Conference (CVPR)</a>, a top computer vision conference (11-15 June 2025).<hr>ReferencesValentin Gabeff, Haozhe Qi, Brendan Flaherty, Gencer Sumbül, Alexander Mathis, Devis Tuia. MammAlps: A multi-view video behavior monitoring dataset of wild mammals in the Swiss Alps. IEEE/CVF Conference on Computer Vision and Pattern Recognition (CVPR), Nashville, TN, 2025.&nbsp;<a href="https://arxiv.org/html/2503.18223v1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"></a><a href="https://arxiv.org/html/2503.18223v1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://arxiv.org/html/2503.18223v1</a>

two roe deer foraging, with manual annotations for each individual animal. Credit: A. Mathis (EPFL)

Scientists at EPFL have created MammAlps, a multi-view, multi-modal video dataset that captures how wild mammals behave in the Swiss Alps. This new resource could be a game-changer for wildlife monitoring and conservation efforts.

AI monitors wildlife behavior in the Swiss Alps

Flat flexible cables and flexible printed circuit solutions enable high-density, high-speed connections across a wide range of modern electronic applications. While Molex delivers the interconnect technology, Sager supports engineers with design guidance, prototyping, and supply chain execution.

Flat Flexible Cable and Flexible Printed Circuit Solutions for Modern Interconnect Design

Carbon dioxide (CO₂) is often regarded as a significant contributor to greenhouse gases and environmental stress. Scientists and engineers increasingly focus on converting CO₂ through sustainable and economical approaches, aiming to reduce its environmental impact and transform the emission into valuable chemical products. A new study from researchers at Washington University in St. Louis introduces a dual-metal catalyst that electrochemically converts CO₂ into carbon monoxide (CO) at industrial current densities, with great potential to produce valuable liquid fuels through well-established industry processes.The study, led by Gang Wu, professor of energy, environmental &amp; chemical engineering in the McKelvey School of Engineering at WashU, was published May 5, 2025, in <a href="https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlelanding/2025/ee/d5ee01081k">Energy &amp; Environmental Science</a>.The new catalyst was synthesized using a chemical vapor deposition process that allows precise control over the placement and interaction of iron and nickel atoms within a nitrogen-doped carbon structure. This design helps maximize the number of active sites where chemical reactions can take place, making the catalyst more efficient. The team also demonstrated that the catalyst performs well in harsher and more acidic environments. Wu said these performance metrics hold great promise to efficiently convert CO2 to chemical fuels in an economically feasible manner.Wu said his team started researching attractive single-metal-site catalysts from earth-abundant materials to replace expensive and scarce precious metals in 2014, which laid the groundwork for the current dual-metal breakthrough. While iron and nickel each show promise individually, both present tradeoffs — iron offers strong activity but poor stability, while nickel is selective yet inefficient at activating CO₂. By combining the two in a dual-metal configuration, Wu’s team utilized synergistic effects that enhanced activity and stability.“Dual-metal site is intrinsically more active and stable than the traditional single metal site,” Wu said. “We believe this dual-metal site can address a challenging problem associated with long-term durability while achieving adequate performance for viable applications.”Wu said that the catalyst’s performance and durability were only evaluated at the lab-scale and short-term duration, and the team is actively seeking industry partners to scale up testing and validate performance over 5,000 hours or more. Wu said the process is well-positioned for future industrial adoption.In addition to its applications in CO₂ conversion, the innovative dual-metal catalyst shows potential for use in other electrochemical reactions and systems, including hydrogen fuel cells and nitrate removal in agricultural water treatment. Wu said nitrate pollution from agricultural runoff is an urgent environmental challenge and noted that a similar catalytic procedure could help reduce nitrate through electrochemical processes, particularly in Missouri and other Midwest states.This research effort brought together an international team of collaborators. Wu’s group collaborated closely with Oak Ridge National Laboratory, utilizing advanced electron microscopy to investigate the atomic structure of the catalyst. Collaborators in New Zealand conducted theoretical modeling and researchers in Australia tested the catalyst in full-scale electrolysis devices. According to Wu, these partnerships were essential to achieving the project’s goals.“Modern research is complex,” Wu said. “We have to keep opening to collaborate with people and leverage everybody's expertise.”<hr />Qi M, Zachman M, Li Y, Zeng Y, Hwang S, Liang J, Lyons M, Zhao Q, Mao Y, Shao Y, Feng Z, Wang Z, Zhao Y, Wu G. Highly dense atomic Fe–Ni dual metal sites for efficient CO₂ to CO electrolyzers at industrial current densities. Energy &amp; Environmental Science, online May 5, 2025. DOI: <a href="https://doi.org/10.1039/D5EE01081K">https://doi.org/10.1039/D5EE01081K</a>

A visual illustration of the CO₂-to-CO electrolyzer developed by Gang Wu’s team. It features an iron-nickel dual-metal site catalyst that uses a synergistic effect to efficiently convert carbon dioxide into carbon monoxide. (Credit: Gang Wu

Gang Wu and his team developed a dual-metal site catalyst that efficiently converts carbon dioxide to carbon monoxide in electrolyzers at industrial current densities

Innovative earth-abundant metal catalysts offer a solution to convert carbon dioxide into fuels

In this article, Towler and Sam Rogers, co-founders of Tandem Ventures, present their experience working with Whale Wise's innovative use of customized drones for scientific research.

Lidar-Equipped Drones Transform Whale Research and Conservation

Removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere efficiently is often seen as a crucial need for combatting climate change, but systems for removing carbon dioxide suffer from a tradeoff. Chemical compounds that efficiently remove CO₂ from the air do not easily release it once captured, and compounds that release CO₂ efficiently are not very efficient at capturing it. Optimizing one part of the cycle tends to make the other part worse.Now, using nanoscale filtering membranes, researchers at MIT have added a simple intermediate step that facilitates both parts of the cycle. The new approach could improve the efficiency of electrochemical carbon dioxide capture and release by six times and cut costs by at least 20 percent, they say.The new findings are reported today in the journal ACS Energy Letters, in a paper by MIT doctoral students Simon Rufer, Tal Joseph, and Zara Aamer, and professor of mechanical engineering Kripa Varanasi.“We need to think about scale from the get-go when it comes to carbon capture, as making a meaningful impact requires processing gigatons of CO₂,” says Varanasi. “Having this mindset helps us pinpoint critical bottlenecks and design innovative solutions with real potential for impact. That’s the driving force behind our work.”<img src="https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wevolver-project-images/froala%2F1747787816493-MIT-BetterC02-01-press_0.jpg" style="width:100%px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" />MIT researchers added nanoscale filtering membranes to a carbon-capture system, separating the ions that carry out the capture and release steps, and enabling both steps to proceed more efficiently. Image: Courtesy of the researchers; MIT NewsMany carbon-capture systems work using chemicals called hydroxides, which readily combine with carbon dioxide to form carbonate. That carbonate is fed into an electrochemical cell, where the carbonate reacts with an acid to form water and release carbon dioxide. The process can take ordinary air with only about 400 parts per million of carbon dioxide and generate a stream of 100 percent pure carbon dioxide, which can then be used to make fuels or other products.Both the capture and release steps operate in the same water-based solution, but the first step needs a solution with a high concentration of hydroxide ions, and the second step needs one high in carbonate ions. “You can see how these two steps are at odds,” says Varanasi. “These two systems are circulating the same sorbent back and forth. They’re operating on the exact same liquid. But because they need two different types of liquids to operate optimally, it’s impossible to operate both systems at their most efficient points.”The team’s solution was to decouple the two parts of the system and introduce a third part in between. Essentially, after the hydroxide in the first step has been mostly chemically converted to carbonate, special nanofiltration membranes then separate ions in the solution based on their charge. Carbonate ions have a charge of 2, while hydroxide ions have a charge of 1. “The nanofiltration is able to separate these two pretty well,” Rufer says.Once separated, the hydroxide ions are fed back to the absorption side of the system, while the carbonates are sent ahead to the electrochemical release stage. That way, both ends of the system can operate at their more efficient ranges. Varanasi explains that in the electrochemical release step, protons are being added to the carbonate to cause the conversion to carbon dioxide and water, but if hydroxide ions are also present, the protons will react with those ions instead, producing just water.“If you don’t separate these hydroxides and carbonates,” Rufer says, “the way the system fails is you’ll add protons to hydroxide instead of carbonate, and so you’ll just be making water rather than extracting carbon dioxide. That’s where the efficiency is lost. Using nanofiltration to prevent this was something that we aren’t aware of anyone proposing before.”Testing showed that the nanofiltration could separate the carbonate from the hydroxide solution with about 95 percent efficiency, validating the concept under realistic conditions, Rufer says. The next step was to assess how much of an effect this would have on the overall efficiency and economics of the process. They created a techno-economic model, incorporating electrochemical efficiency, voltage, absorption rate, capital costs, nanofiltration efficiency, and other factors.The analysis showed that present systems cost at least $600 per ton of carbon dioxide captured, while with the nanofiltration component added, that drops to about $450 a ton. What’s more, the new system is much more stable, continuing to operate at high efficiency even under variations in the ion concentrations in the solution. “In the old system without nanofiltration, you’re sort of operating on a knife’s edge,” Rufer says; if the concentration varies even slightly in one direction or the other, efficiency drops off drastically. “But with our nanofiltration system, it kind of acts as a buffer where it becomes a lot more forgiving. You have a much broader operational regime, and you can achieve significantly lower costs.”He adds that this approach could apply not only to the direct air capture systems they studied specifically, but also to point-source systems — which are attached directly to the emissions sources such as power plant emissions — or to the next stage of the process, converting captured carbon dioxide into useful products such as fuel or chemical feedstocks.  Those conversion processes, he says, “are also bottlenecked in this carbonate and hydroxide tradeoff.”In addition, this technology could lead to safer alternative chemistries for carbon capture, Varanasi says. “A lot of these absorbents can at times be toxic, or damaging to the environment. By using a system like ours, you can improve the reaction rate, so you can choose chemistries that might not have the best absorption rate initially but can be improved to enable safety.”Varanasi adds that “the really nice thing about this is we’ve been able to do this with what’s commercially available,” and with a system that can easily be retrofitted to existing carbon-capture installations. If the costs can be further brought down to about $200 a ton, it could be viable for widespread adoption. With ongoing work, he says, “we’re confident that we’ll have something that can become economically viable” and that will ultimately produce valuable, saleable products.Rufer notes that even today, “people are buying carbon credits at a cost of over $500 per ton. So, at this cost we’re projecting, it is already commercially viable in that there are some buyers who are willing to pay that price.” But by bringing the price down further, that should increase the number of buyers who would consider buying the credit, he says. “It’s just a question of how widespread we can make it.” Recognizing this growing market demand, Varanasi says, “Our goal is to provide industry scalable, cost-effective, and reliable technologies and systems that enable them to directly meet their decarbonization targets.”The research was supported by Shell International Exploration and Production Inc. through the MIT Energy Initiative, and the U.S. National Science Foundation, and made use of the facilities at MIT.nano.

Using nanoscale filtering membranes, researchers at MIT have added a simple intermediate step that makes the process of removing carbon dioxide from the air more efficient. Image: Courtesy of the researchers

Today's carbon capture systems suffer a tradeoff between efficient capture and release, but a new approach developed at MIT can boost overall efficiency.

How to solve a bottleneck for CO2 capture and conversion

Underwater or aerial vehicles with dimples like golf balls could be more efficient and maneuverable, a new prototype developed at the University of Michigan has demonstrated.Golf ball dimples cut through pressure drag—the resistance force an object meets when moving through a fluid—propelling the ball 30% further than a smooth ball on average. Taking this as inspiration, a research team developed a spherical prototype with adjustable surface dimples and tested its aerodynamics in a controlled wind tunnel.“A dynamically programmable outer skin on an underwater vehicle could drastically reduce drag while eliminating the need for protruding appendages like fins or rudders for maneuvering. By actively adjusting its surface texture, the vehicle could achieve precise maneuverability with enhanced efficiency and control,” said <a href="https://name.engin.umich.edu/people/sareen-anchal/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Anchal Sareen</a>, an assistant professor of naval architecture and marine engineering and mechanical engineering at U-M and corresponding author of two studies published in Flow and The Physics of Fluids.<iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/De2VQYkdztM?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;enablejsapi=1&amp;origin=https://www.wevolver.com" frameborder="0" class="fr-draggable"></iframe>These nimble vehicles could access typically hard-to-reach areas in the ocean while conducting surveillance, mapping new areas or collecting data on water conditions. The researchers formed the prototype by stretching a thin layer of latex over a hollow sphere dotted with holes, resembling a pickleball. A vacuum pump depressurizes the core, pulling the latex inwards to create precise dimples when switched on. Turning off the pump makes the sphere smooth again. <img src="https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wevolver-project-images/froala%2F1747749824433-Anchal-Sareen-Wind-Tunnel-Sphere-Morphing-500x333.jpg" style="width:100%px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" />Anchal Sareen observes a 3D printed sphere suspended in a wind tunnel during testing. Credit: Jeremy Little, Michigan Engineering.To find out how the dimples affected drag, the sphere was put to the test within a three meter long wind tunnel, suspended by a thin rod and subjected to different wind velocities. For each flow condition, the dimple depth could be finely adjusted by shifting the vacuum pump’s strength. Drag was measured using a load cell, a sensor that detects force exerted by airflow on the object. At the same time, an aerosol was sprayed into the wind tunnel while a high-speed laser and camera captured the motion of the tiny particles as they flowed around the sphere. For high wind speeds, shallower dimples cut the drag more effectively while deeper dimples were more efficient at lower wind speeds. By adjusting dimple depth, the sphere reduced drag by 50% compared to a smooth counterpart for all conditions. “The adaptive skin setup is able to notice changes in the speed of the incoming air and adjust dimples accordingly to maintain drag reductions. Applying this concept to underwater vehicles would reduce both drag and fuel consumption,” said Rodrigo Vilumbrales-Garcia, a postdoctoral research fellow of naval architecture and marine engineering at U-M and contributing author to the studies.<img src="https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wevolver-project-images/froala%2F1747749851147-Rodrigo-Vilumbrales-Garcia-Wind-Tunnel-Setup.jpg" style="width:832px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" />Rodrigo Vilumbrales-Garcia, makes preparations for a wind tunnel before conducting experiments with the 3D printed sphere. Credit: Jeremy Little, Michigan Engineering. The smart morphable sphere can also generate lift, allowing for controlled movement. Often thought of as the upwards force responsible for keeping planes in the air, lift can work in any direction as long as it is perpendicular to the direction of the flow.To achieve this, researchers designed the inner skeleton with holes on only one side, causing the sphere to develop one smooth and one dimpled side when activated. This created asymmetric flow separation on the two sides of the sphere, deflecting the wake toward the smooth side. By Newton’s third law, the fluid applies an equal and opposite force toward the rough side, effectively pushing the sphere in the direction of the dimples. Dimples on the right generate force to the right while those on the left push left. This enables precise steering by selectively activating dimples on the desired side.The team tested the new sphere in the same wind tunnel setup with varying wind velocity and dimple depth. With the optimal dimple depth, the half rough/half smooth sphere generated lift forces up to 80% of the drag force. The lift generation was as strong as the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2OSrvzNW9FE&amp;t=73s" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Magnus effect</a>, but instead of using rotation, it was created entirely by modifying the surface texture.“I was surprised that such a simple approach could produce results comparable to the Magnus efect, which requires continuous rotation,” said Putu Brahmanda Sudarsana, a graduate student of mechanical engineering at U-M and contributing author to the studies.“In the long run, this could benefit, for example, compact spherical robotic submarines that prioritize maneuverability over speed for exploration and inspection. Typically, these submarines would require multiple propulsion systems, but this mechanism could help reduce that need,” added Sudarsana. <img src="https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wevolver-project-images/froala%2F1747749913930-Putu-Brahmanda-Sudarsana-Sphere-Calibration.jpg" style="width:100%px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" />Putu Brahmanda Sudarsana calibrates the morphable sphere at the U-M Marine Hydrodynamics Laboratory. Credit: Jeremy Little, Michigan Engineering.Looking ahead, Sareen anticipates exciting collaborations that combine expertise in materials science and soft robotics, further advancing the capabilities of this dynamic skin technology. “This smart dynamic skin technology could be a game-changer for unmanned aerial and underwater vehicles, offering a lightweight, energy-efficient, and highly responsive alternative to traditional jointed control surfaces. By enabling real-time adaptation to changing flow conditions, this innovation promises to enhance maneuverability, optimize performance, and unlock new possibilities for vehicle design,” added Sareen.

A spherical prototype with "nimble dimples" can change its surface from smooth to dimpled, cutting through drag and generating lift.

Maneuverable underwater vehicles inspired by golf balls

Air is fundamental to our lives, and its quality has a direct impact on our health and well-being. Polluted air contributes to a wide range of health issues over time. This makes reliable air quality monitoring imperative, especially in enclosed spaces like homes, offices or vehicles. Traditional monitors that focus only on carbon dioxide (CO₂) fail to capture the full picture of air quality. This article explores how multi-gas sensors provide a more complete and accurate way to assess air quality in real-time, and discusses the features, applications and benefits of using <a href="https://www.sciosense.com/">ScioSense</a> ENS16x series for air quality monitoring.<h2 id="isPasted">Importance of Indoor and In-Vehicle Air Quality</h2>The air in the enclosed environments can contain a wide range of invisible pollutants, including volatile organic compounds (VOCs), carbon dioxide (CO₂), nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), formaldehyde, and particulate matter. Poor ventilation and airtight building designs further worsen their accumulation, making indoor air quality a significant health concern.According to the World Health Organization (WHO) <a href="https://iris.who.int/bitstream/handle/10665/260127/9789289002134-eng.pdf">guidelines</a>, VOC exposure is linked to respiratory irritation, allergic reactions, and even an increased risk of certain cancers. Moreover, these compounds can disrupt sleep, trigger headaches, and worsen symptoms for individuals with asthma or other chronic respiratory conditions. Children, the elderly, and those with pre-existing health issues are particularly vulnerable. The effects vary widely depending on the compound. For instance, benzene is linked to acute myeloid leukemia and genotoxicity, while formaldehyde can cause sensory irritation and has been associated with nasopharyngeal cancer and myeloid leukemia. Nitrogen dioxide is commonly emitted from gas stoves and combustion processes and can lead to respiratory symptoms, airway inflammation, and decreased immune defense. Similarly, even trace amounts of substances like trichloroethylene and tetrachloroethylene have been connected to organ damage and various forms of cancer. 1, 2 This shows the importance of comprehensive air quality monitoring in indoor spaces.This air quality monitoring becomes even more important inside vehicles, as the situation is often worse due to the confined space and additional sources of pollutants. For example, engine emissions can seep into the cabin from outside, or the occupants themselves contribute to air quality degradation through exhaled CO₂ and water vapor. Given the frequency and duration of modern commutes, maintaining clean air in vehicles is a necessity for well-being and safety.<h3>Multi-Gas Sensors for Smart Air Quality Monitoring</h3>Traditional air quality monitoring systems often rely on single-parameter sensors like CO₂ sensors. However, this approach misses a critical aspect that harmful airborne substances like VOCs and oxidizing gases can be present even when CO₂ levels are low. Relying solely on CO₂ can lead to clean air false positives.However, advanced multi-gas sensing technologies like the ScioSense <a href="https://www.sciosense.com/ens16x-digital-metal-oxide-multi-gas-sensor-family/">ENS16x</a> series overcome this limitation by delivering a holistic view of air quality. The ENS16x series uses TrueVOC® technology, which integrates advanced metal-oxide (MOX) gas-sensing elements with intelligent on-chip algorithms. TrueVOC® combines precise hardware design with proprietary data processing techniques to reliably interpret complex gas mixtures into accurate, actionable air quality metrics. This combination allows the sensor to detect complex patterns of VOCs and oxidizing gases with high sensitivity and precision. The embedded algorithms interpret raw sensor data to provide meaningful air quality indicators, such as equivalent CO₂ (eCO₂) and total VOC (eTVOC), without the need for complex external calibration or data processing.Moreover, one of the key benefits of using multi-gas sensors is improved energy efficiency. For instance, in a real-world trial, a demand-controlled ventilation (DCV) system using a TVOC sensor in a gym operated 24% less time compared to a similar system using a CO₂ sensor. Despite the reduced operation time, the system maintained good air quality ratings from users and achieved a 60% reduction in total costs, which proves how VOC-based control can optimize ventilation performance without compromising user comfort. 1<h2>Key features of ScioSense ENS16x Series</h2>The ENS16x series from ScioSense comprises <a href="http://sciosense.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/ENS160-ENS161-Evaluation-Board-Application-Note.pdf">ENS160 and ENS161</a> models. These metal-oxide gas sensors are tailored for high-accuracy, low-power, and intelligent air quality monitoring. <h3>Multi-Parameter Air Quality Monitoring</h3>The ENS16x series can measure several key indicators of air quality in real-time. It provides outputs for eCO₂, eTVOC, and air quality index values—both standardized (AQI-S) and UBA-based (AQI-U) , where UBA refers to the German Environment Agency (<a href="https://www.umweltbundesamt.de/en">Umweltbundesamt</a>) whose air quality guidelines are widely used across Europe. The eCO₂ metric estimates CO₂ concentration, whereas the eTVOC reading offers a general assessment of indoor air freshness by detecting a broad spectrum of volatile organic compounds. The AQI values, on the other hand, serve as intuitive indicators that simplify decision-making in air quality management systems. <h3>Embedded Intelligence with On-Chip Gas Algorithm</h3>The ENS16x has been described as “the sensor with a brain” since, unlike traditional sensors that simply provide raw data, the ENS16x includes a powerful onboard microcontroller that runs a sophisticated gas algorithm. This embedded algorithm continuously interprets sensor readings in context, accounting for environmental factors and internal calibration data to generate meaningful air quality metrics. As a result, the sensor delivers ready to use data right out of the box. Developers don’t need to implement complex signal processing or spend time fine-tuning parameters, which accelerates time-to-market and also ensures a higher level of consistency and reliability across product lines.<h3>Ultra-Low Power Consumption</h3>The energy-efficient ENS16x series supports a variety of operating modes to suit different power budgets. In ultra-low-power configurations, the sensors can operate with an average current draw as low as 150 µA, which enables continuous monitoring even in battery-powered devices such as portable air quality meters. For applications that demand higher accuracy or faster response times, the sensors can switch to more active configurations dynamically to offer a balance between precision and power consumption. This flexibility allows product designers to fine-tune energy usage based on the specific needs of the end application.<h3>Integrated Humidity and Temperature Compensation</h3>Air quality readings can be skewed by environmental conditions like humidity, which affects how gases interact with the sensor surface. The ENS16x series tackles this challenge by incorporating built-in automatic humidity and temperature compensation. The sensor utilizes temperature and humidity reading from a companion sensor preferably ScioSense ENS21x to ensures accurate readings across a wide range of environments. This compensation is handled entirely on-chip, requiring no external sensors or manual corrections. <h3>Versatile Interface Options for Easy Integration</h3>The ENS16x series offers flexible digital interface options, including both I²C and SPI, that allow it to connect easily to various microcontrollers and system-on-chip (SoC) platforms for consumer electronics, smart home hubs, HVAC controllers, or automotive ECUs. The dual-interface support also enables developers to optimize for system performance, whether they need higher-speed communication or minimal pin usage. This makes it easy for the ENS16x to drop into existing hardware ecosystems without extensive redesign, reducing development friction for embedded teams.<h3>Compact Package with Surface-Mount Compatibility</h3>The ENS16x sensors come in a compact 4 mm x 5 mm land grid array (LGA) package with a low profile, making them ideal for space-sensitive designs. Their surface-mount form factor supports automated pick-and-place assembly, which streamlines production workflows in high-volume manufacturing. <h2>Application in Smart Homes and Vehicles</h2>In smart homes, multi-gas sensors like the ENS16x family integrate into home automation systems devices such as air purifiers, ventilation units, and thermostats and can react dynamically to the presence of harmful gases.Real-time detection of VOCs enables appliances to modulate their activity based on actual pollutant levels rather than relying on time-based or manual triggers. For example, an air purifier can ramp up its performance when spikes in VOCs are detected after cleaning activities or cooking. Similarly, HVAC systems equipped with these sensors can preemptively increase airflow when indoor pollutant levels rise, especially in spaces with intermittent occupancy. The estimations of eCO₂ and eTVOC provided by the ENS16x series can be used by smart HVAC algorithms to balance air quality improvements with energy savings. These sensors can also be embedded into battery-powered or hardwired smart home devices without impacting system complexity or maintenance cycles.Similarly, in vehicles, airtight cabins can trap pollutants from interior materials, external emissions, and passenger respiration. The ENS16x series improves in-cabin air quality by enabling HVAC systems to adjust airflow dynamically, ensuring a healthier and more comfortable ride.<h2>Conclusion</h2>The ScioSense multi-gas sensor ENS16x series, with its advanced features and capabilities, provides highly accurate, real-time air quality monitoring, enabling smarter automation and improved health outcomes. Their ability to detect a wide range of pollutants and translate that data into actionable outputs makes them ideal for smart, health-conscious products.Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) and engineers looking for cutting-edge air quality monitoring solutions should visit the ScioSense <a href="https://www.sciosense.com/">website</a> to get more information about its advanced products.<h2>References</h2><ol><li>Measure VOCs to maintain high indoor air quality [Online] ScioSense. Available at: <a href="https://www.sciosense.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/ENS16x-Technical-Article-Measure-VOCs-to-maintain-high-indoor-air-quality.pdf">https://www.sciosense.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/ENS16x-Technical-Article-Measure-VOCs-to-maintain-high-indoor-air-quality.pdf</a> (Accessed on March 29, 2025)</li><li>World Health Organization. (2010). WHO guidelines for indoor air quality: Selected pollutants. WHO Regional Office for Europe. Available at: <a href="https://iris.who.int/bitstream/handle/10665/260127/9789289002134-eng.pdf">https://iris.who.int/bitstream/handle/10665/260127/9789289002134-eng.pdf</a> (Accessed on March 29, 2025)</li><li>ScioSense Website. [Online] ScioSense. Available at: <a href="https://www.sciosense.com/">https://www.sciosense.com/</a> (Accessed on March 29, 2025)</li><li>ENS16x Digital Metal-Oxide Multi-Gas Sensor Family [Online] ScioSense. Available at: <a href="https://www.sciosense.com/ens16x-digital-metal-oxide-multi-gas-sensor-family/">https://www.sciosense.com/ens16x-digital-metal-oxide-multi-gas-sensor-family/</a> (Accessed on March 29, 2025)</li><li>ENS160/ENS161 Evaluation board [Online] ScioSense. Available at: <a href="http://sciosense.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/ENS160-ENS161-Evaluation-Board-Application-Note.pdf">http://sciosense.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/ENS160-ENS161-Evaluation-Board-Application-Note.pdf</a> (Accessed on March 29, 2025)</li><li>ENS160 Digital Metal-Oxide Multi-Gas Sensor [Online] ScioSense. Available at: <a href="https://www.sciosense.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/ENS160-Datasheet.pdf">https://www.sciosense.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/ENS160-Datasheet.pdf</a> (Accessed on March 29, 2025)</li><li>ENS16x Versatile Digital Air Quality Sensors for Building Automation, Appliances &amp; Consumer Applications [Online] ScioSense. Available at: <a href="https://www.sciosense.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/ENS16x-Factsheet.pdf">https://www.sciosense.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/ENS16x-Factsheet.pdf</a> (Accessed on March 29, 2025)</li><li>Intuitive air quality insights – ENS161: the sensor with a brain [Online] ScioSense. Available at: <a href="https://www.sciosense.com/intuitive-air-quality-insights-ens161/">https://www.sciosense.com/intuitive-air-quality-insights-ens161/</a> (Accessed on March 29, 2025)</li></ol>

Air quality in enclosed spaces can be compromised by pollutants beyond CO₂. Multi-gas sensors like the ScioSense ENS16x series offer a smarter, more complete solution for detecting harmful compounds and optimizing ventilation in homes and vehicles.

Why Multi-Gas Sensors Are Essential for Smarter, Healthier Homes and Vehicles

From telecommunications to industrial automation, the demand for reliable thermal management has never been higher. As systems grow denser and more compact, overheating and cooling inefficiencies have emerged as critical barriers to performance and longevity. At the center of tackling these challenges is <a href="https://www.powell.com/powell/en/USD/manufacturer/Orion_Fans">Orion Fans</a>, a leading provider of AC, DC, and EC fan solutions tailored for a wide range of industries.Wevolver spoke with Orion Fans President, John Knight, to learn about the cooling challenges companies face, how their technologies address system reliability, and where innovation is heading in thermal management.<img src="https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wevolver-project-images/froala%2F1747121309123-Orion+Fans+President%2C+John+Knight%2C.png" style="width:100%px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" /><h3 id="isPasted">What are the most common cooling issues faced by your customers, and how do your solutions help improve system reliability?</h3>John Knight: Simply, overheating. As systems become more compact and power densities increase, effective cooling becomes critical to avoid thermal stress that can degrade performance, shorten component lifespan, and cause unexpected failures. Across industries such as telecom, automotive, and industrial automation, maintaining sufficient airflow and managing heat within confined spaces are key challenges to ensuring system reliability.To address these demands, Orion Fans offers a wide range of high-performance AC, DC, and EC models, each engineered to meet cooling requirements specific to every sector. Our fans are designed to optimize airflow, minimize energy consumption, and maintain reliable operation even in harsh or mission-critical environments, helping to prevent downtime, improve overall system efficiency, and extend equipment lifespan.<h3 id="isPasted">What are some of the key performance considerations that go into tailoring your AC, DC, and EC fans for specific industry use cases?</h3>John Knight: Effective thermal management is not a one-size-fits-all. Different industries place unique demands on cooling systems, requiring a careful balance between performance, efficiency, and environmental factors. When tailoring fans for specific use cases, we prioritize several key performance factors:<ul><li>Airflow: We ensure that the fan's airflow is precisely matched to the system's thermal load. Higher airflow is critical in high-power or densely packed systems, where rapid heat removal is essential. In contrast, lower airflow may be preferred in sensitive environments to avoid overcooling or unnecessary turbulence.</li><li>Efficiency: Energy consumption directly impacts system cost and sustainability. Our EC fans are highly efficient, offering significant energy savings through optimized power usage, which is a major advantage in sectors like telecom, where operational costs and long-term energy efficiency are key concerns.</li><li>Noise: In environments where acoustic comfort is important, such as medical devices, office equipment, or consumer electronics, minimizing noise without sacrificing thermal performance is essential. Our fans are engineered to deliver quieter operation while maintaining the necessary cooling levels to protect system components.</li></ul><h3 id="isPasted">What measures has Orion Fans implemented to achieve industry-leading lead times and stock availability, and how do they benefit your customers?</h3>John Knight: Speed and availability are critical in today's fast-moving industries. Supply chain disruptions and extended lead times can significantly impact project timelines and operational continuity. To support our customers’ need for rapid delivery, we have invested heavily in advanced manufacturing technologies, including automation and flexible production systems that enable faster turnaround without sacrificing quality.Our automated inventory management systems ensure real-time tracking of stock levels and customer demand trends, allowing us to anticipate needs and maintain a ready supply of our most popular products. Additionally, our strategic partnerships with global suppliers help secure critical components and materials, mitigating risks from market fluctuations or regional shortages.By optimizing every aspect of our supply chain from production to fulfillment and maintaining an extensive, strategically located inventory, we can respond quickly to urgent customer demands. This ensures customers have reliable access to the products they need, minimizes downtime, and supports smoother, more efficient operations across a wide range of industries.<h3 id="isPasted">In what ways do capabilities like customization options and inventory management programs enhance your service offerings to clients?</h3>John Knight: Meeting diverse cooling needs often requires more than off-the-shelf solutions. We designed our value-added services to deliver tailored support that addresses the specific performance, design, and operational goals of each customer. We offer customization options across fan size, voltage, airflow, and other specifications to ensure optimal integration into unique system architectures, whether space constraints, specialized thermal loads, or environmental challenges are at play. This customization allows customers to achieve more precise and reliable thermal management outcomes.In parallel, our inventory management programs help streamline the supply chain by maintaining optimal stock levels, reducing procurement lead times, and minimizing the risk of supply shortages. For industries where consistent availability is critical to keeping production schedules and minimizing downtime, these programs offer significant operational advantages. By combining engineering flexibility with supply chain support, we help clients improve efficiency, control costs, and maintain high system reliability levels across a range of applications.<h3>Can you discuss the significance of your IP68 and IP69K-rated fans in maintaining system performance in harsh or demanding environments?</h3>John Knight: Our IP68 and IP69K-rated fans can perform in the harshest environments, where exposure to dust, moisture, and even high-pressure water is common. These ratings ensure that our fans can continue to operate reliably in challenging conditions, such as outdoor installations, industrial machinery, or vehicles subjected to extreme weather. The durability and protection provided by these fans help maintain system performance, prevent failures, and increase the overall lifespan of critical equipment, providing peace of mind for customers working in demanding industries.Maintaining system performance in harsh environments requires cooling solutions that can withstand exposure to elements that would compromise standard equipment. Our IP68 and IP69K-rated fans are specifically engineered to operate reliably in conditions involving heavy dust, moisture, and even direct, high-pressure water jets. These are hazards commonly encountered in sectors like industrial automation, transportation, agriculture, and outdoor telecommunications.<img src="https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wevolver-project-images/froala%2F1747121518950-History-Orion-copy-1-scaled.jpg" style="width:100%px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" />The IP68 rating certifies complete protection against dust ingress and extended submersion in water, making these fans ideal for applications where exposure to rain, flooding, or humid environments is a risk. The IP69K rating further ensures resistance to high-pressure, high-temperature washdowns, which are crucial in environments such as food processing or heavy industrial settings where equipment must withstand regular cleaning or extreme weather conditions.By preventing contaminants from compromising fan performance, these rugged designs help maintain consistent thermal management, avoid unexpected system shutdowns, and extend the service life of critical equipment. For customers operating in demanding or unpredictable conditions, our high-protection fans offer not just durability but also operational peace of mind.<h3 id="isPasted">How do your fan trays and accessories support broader system performance and integration needs in customer applications?</h3>John Knight: Our fan trays are engineered to simplify the assembly of multiple fans into a single, compact solution, providing uniform airflow across rack-mounted systems, data enclosures, and industrial cabinets where heat can quickly accumulate. By offering modularity and standardized mounting options, fan trays also reduce installation time and support easier maintenance and replacement.Beyond fan trays, accessories like air filters, speed controllers, and protective guards play a key role in enhancing the overall efficiency, safety, and lifespan of cooling systems. Filters help maintain clean airflow by trapping dust and debris, which can otherwise reduce cooling effectiveness and damage sensitive components over time. Controllers allow for dynamic adjustment of fan speed based on real-time thermal conditions, improving energy efficiency and extending fan life. Guards add a layer of mechanical protection, ensuring safe operation and compliance with industry standards.Together, these integrated solutions not only optimize cooling performance but also help customers reduce system complexity, improve reliability, and streamline the design and upgrade process, whether for new builds or retrofits across industrial, telecom, or computing environments.<h3 id="isPasted">With the expansion of your manufacturing facilities, how has Orion Fans improved its ability to meet global demand?</h3>John Knight: Expanding our manufacturing facilities has significantly strengthened our ability to support global customer demand with faster and more reliable service. By increasing production capacity, we can respond to larger order volumes and a broader range of product customization requests without compromising lead times or quality.Through strategically placed production and warehousing sites across key regions, we minimize shipping distances, reduce delivery times, and lower associated logistics costs. All of this helps our customers accelerate project timelines and maintain leaner inventory models. Additionally, a more distributed manufacturing footprint enhances supply chain resilience, allowing us to better navigate regional disruptions and ensure consistent product availability even during periods of high demand or material shortages.This expanded capability directly supports our customers' operational needs by improving access to critical cooling components, enabling faster system builds, and ultimately helping maintain business continuity across industries that rely on dependable thermal management.<h3>Looking ahead, what innovations is Orion Fans focusing on to continue leading in thermal management solutions?</h3>John Knight: We are committed to continuous innovation to help customers meet their thermal management challenges. We are currently advancing our next-generation EC fan technology to deliver even greater energy efficiency and quieter operation, key factors as industries aim to lower operational costs and meet stricter energy efficiency standards.In parallel, we are developing smart fan solutions with IoT integration, enabling real-time monitoring, predictive maintenance, and more dynamic system control. These capabilities allow customers to optimize cooling performance, extend equipment life, and reduce unexpected downtime.Looking ahead, we will expand our product lines with fans designed for even greater durability and adaptability in harsh environments, supporting a wider range of applications where extreme conditions are becoming more common. Through these innovations, we aim to empower our customers with smarter, more resilient, and more sustainable thermal management solutions.<h3>When customers come to you with performance issues, are there any misconceptions about what a fan can or can’t solve?</h3>John Knight: One common misconception is that simply adding a more powerful fan will resolve system cooling challenges. In reality, effective thermal management requires a holistic, system-level approach that considers airflow optimization, proper fan placement, heat dissipation paths, and the thermal behavior of all critical components.Without a well-designed cooling strategy, even the most powerful fan may fail to eliminate localized hotspots, leading to reduced component reliability, higher maintenance costs, and shorter system lifespans. While a fan is a vital part of the solution, it cannot fully compensate for poor thermal architecture or inadequate heat sinking.We frequently work with customers to review and refine their overall thermal management strategies, ensuring that fans operate as part of an integrated system to deliver consistent, reliable cooling performance.<h3>Closing the Performance Gap with Smarter Cooling</h3>Orion Fans continues to lead the way in delivering reliable and efficient thermal management solutions across various industries. Through advanced fan technologies, smart system integration, and resilient supply chain strategies, they help customers address the growing demands of high-performance, compact, and mission-critical systems. As system demands grow further, companies can look to <a href="https://www.powell.com/powell/en/USD/manufacturer/Orion_Fans">Orion Fans</a> for expertise that ensures performance, durability, and future-ready cooling strategies.

Wevolver spoke with Orion Fans President, John Knight, to learn about the cooling challenges companies face, how their technologies address system reliability, and where innovation is heading in thermal management.

The Impact of Cooling on System Performance: Lessons from Orion Fans

The edible robot is an alternative to electronic environmental monitoring devices © Alain Herzog

An edible robot made by EPFL scientists leverages a combination of biodegradable fuel and surface tension to zip around the water's surface, creating a safe - and nutritious - alternative to environmental monitoring devices made from artificial polymers and electronics.

Eco-friendly aquatic robot is made from fish food

Industrial emissions significantly contribute to climate change, prompting global regulatory pressure for cleaner practices. This article discusses photonics-based gas detection, highlighting how advanced infrared sensors and emitters support emission monitoring and leak detection, enabling industries to comply with regulations and reduce their environmental impact.<h2>Industrialization and Its Environmental Cost</h2>Industrialization has brought global economic growth, but led to high greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Key industrial sectors like power generation, chemical production, and cement manufacturing emit large volumes of CO₂, CH₄, and N₂O, contributing significantly to climate change.According to the EDGAR 2024 database and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), direct industrial emissions amounted to approximately 11,408 million tons of CO₂ equivalent (Mt CO₂e) in 2023. This represents about 21.5% of global GHG emissions, excluding land use and forestry. When indirect emissions from electricity used in industry are included, the sector's share rises to nearly 31%. 1Industrial emissions are often continuous and centralized, so they can accumulate rapidly and affect regional and global climate patterns. They can also cause global temperature increases, melting polar ice, and the increased frequency of extreme weather events like droughts, floods, and hurricanes. These emissions' high volume and persistence make them challenging to mitigate without systemic change.<h3>Regulatory Pressure to Cut Emissions</h3>In response to the climate emergency, governments worldwide enforce stricter environmental regulations to reduce industrial emissions and promote cleaner technologies. These measures are designed to mitigate global warming and to build resilience against its impacts. Many countries have implemented updated climate laws, carbon taxes, and mandatory reporting requirements to drive industry transition toward cleaner alternatives.For instance, China aims to raise non-fossil fuel consumption to 20% by 2025, targeting a 130 million tonne CO₂ reduction over 2024–2025. 2 Similarly, the EU's "Fit for 55" package mandates a 55% GHG cut by 2030 versus 1990 levels. Three such policies drive industries to adopt real-time emission monitoring technologies like advanced gas detection sensors. <h2>Photonics: A Technological Solution for Emission Monitoring</h2>Industries need highly sensitive, accurate, and rapid gas detection systems to comply with the demanding regulatory standards. Photonics-based gas detection offers non-contact, real-time analysis of a variety of gases. These systems rely on the interaction of light with gas molecules, using absorption or emission spectroscopy to identify and quantify specific gases. Continuous monitoring via these sensors provides industries with the data needed to detect leaks and adjust processes. This enables industries to measure emissions, comply with regulations, and reduce their carbon footprint.  Hamamatsu Photonics: A Leader in Infrared DetectionHamamatsu is a leading provider of a wide range of advanced infrared detection technologies. Hamamatsu offers a comprehensive lineup of indium gallium arsenide (InGaAs) photodiodes and image sensors engineered for high-speed, high-sensitivity, and low-noise detection in the near-infrared spectrum, with spectral responses ranging from 0.5 μm to 2.6 μm, ideal to detect the strongest absorption peaks of the main GHGs. Their compact, integrated designs—sometimes combining photodiodes with ICs for digital output—enable precise, real-time monitoring in industrial environments. 4Similarly, Hamamatsu's indium arsenide antimonide (InAsSb) detectors for mid-infrared applications deliver high sensitivity at key atmospheric absorption bands—5 μm, 8 μm, and 11 μm. In these wavelength ranges, the absorption peaks of GHG such as Methane and Carbon Dioxide are well spaced, allowing for a measurement with high gas selectivity. Hamamatsu’s latest models, such as the P16702-011MN, feature built-in preamplifiers for improved signal amplification and seamless integration, compact form factors, and fast response times up to 100 MHz. These detectors are valuable for portable gas analyzers,  allowing immediate on-site analysis of industrial exhaust gases. Moreover, InAsSb also provides a RoHS-compliant alternative to mercury-cadmium-telluride (MCT) detectors, which are restricted due to toxicity concerns. 5Hamamatsu is one of few companies that manufacture both infrared photodetectors and light sources. Their QCLs and infrared LEDs integrate with detectors for high-speed, high-sensitivity measurements. Moreover, these emitters facilitate advanced spectroscopic techniques when paired with InAsSb detectors.<h1 id="isPasted">Applications for Emission Monitoring and Leak Detection</h1>Hamamatsu's infrared solutions are used in several critical applications that help industries meet environmental and safety goals. For instance, Continuous Emission Monitoring Systems CEMS are a regulatory requirement in many countries for facilities that emit pollutants into the air. These systems continuously measure gas concentrations in exhaust stacks and flues to ensure compliance with environmental regulations. In this regard, Hamamatsu's infrared detectors are crucial in enabling multi-gas monitoring capabilities and accurate tracking of harmful emissions.Similarly, Leak Detection and Repair LDAR programs are designed to detect and fix uncontrolled gas leaks before they become critical. Industries can quickly identify and localize leaks using laser scanning, optical gas imaging, and UAV-based (drone) monitoring technologies. Hamamatsu's sensors and emitters enhance the precision and range of these technologies, making leak detection more efficient and less labor-intensive.<h1>The Impact of Photonics on Environmental Sustainability</h1>Applying photonics technologies significantly impacts industries' ability to meet stringent environmental regulations and contribute to the fight against global warming. Photonics empowers industries to optimize their processes, reduce waste, and minimize their environmental impact by providing accurate and real-time data on gas emissions. This ultimately leads to a substantial reduction in GHG emissions, contributing to the global effort to mitigate climate change and create a more sustainable future.   <h1>References</h1>1. Decoding Industrial Decarbonization. [Online] United Nations Industrial Development Organization. Available at: https://www.industrialenergyaccelerator.org/wp-content/uploads/Explainer-Brief_02_updated.pdf (Accessed on April 20, 2025)2. China Announces Key Energy-Saving and Carbon-Reduction Targets and Actions for 2024-2025. (2024) [Online] Institute for Governance and Sustainable Development (IGSD). Available at:  https://www.igsd.org/china-announces-key-energy-saving-and-carbon-reduction-targets-and-actions-for-2024-2025/ (Accessed on April 20, 2025)3. The "Fit for 55" package — the EU's legislative package. [Online] VDA. Available at:  https://www.vda.de/en/topics/european-agenda/fit-for-55 (Accessed on April 20, 2025)4. Infrared detectors. [Online] Hamamatsu. Available at: https://www.hamamatsu.com/jp/en/product/optical-sensors/infrared-detector.html (Accessed on April 20, 2025)5. InAsSb photovoltaic detector P16702-011MN. [Online] Hamamatsu. Available at: https://www.hamamatsu.com/jp/en/product/optical-sensors/infrared-detector/inassb-photovoltaic-detector/P16702-011MN.html (Accessed on April 20, 2025)

Advanced Infrared Technologies Enable Accurate Emission Monitoring and Support Industrial Climate Compliance

Greener Industry with Advanced Gas Detection

Inspection robots aren’t cheap.We fully acknowledge that might not be the best opening pitch, but hear us out.While a capable inspection robot can be costly, so is downtime. So is dispatching human beings to distant locations. Electrical substations and certain oil and gas assets are often remote and require many hours of driving to reach – plus the cost of hotels and per diems. Sometimes, companies even have to charter a helicopter just to place eyes on those remote spots. Depending on the sector, these inspections might take place monthly, bi-weekly – or at some other interval.Point is: Regular inspection of remote assets is an absolute necessity. An inspection can troubleshoot for regular wear and tear, thermal anomalies, damage from animals, vandalism, environmental impact, leaks – the list goes on. A human being (often equipped with handheld scanners and other detection equipment) can generally spot all these things.But so, too, can a robot. And, unlike a human being when it comes to remote assets, an autonomous robotic inspector can be on the site 24/7. It never requests a hotel room, doesn’t charge overtime – and never forgets to do everything it’s been instructed to carry out.Below: The InDro Robotics Sentinel, at an electrical substation in Ottawa<img src="https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wevolver-project-images/froala%2F1745353708849-DSC02754-scaled.jpg-2.webp" style="width:100%px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Sentinel Inspection Robot" /> <h3 id="isPasted">Downtime</h3>There are two types of downtime: Planned and unplanned. The former, obviously, is pre-arranged. Maybe it’s time to replace certain pieces of equipment or do other scheduled maintenance. Planned downtime can include hardware and software upgrades, even large-scale replacements. For those companies in service provision, including those in the B2B space, a scheduled event minimises downtime because everything is lined up in advance for the necessary task. In addition, you can notify consumers or clients that the service or commodity will be temporarily unavailable – and schedule the downtime to minimise disruption. Customers and clients generally understand these inconveniences when they know about them ahead of time.Then there’s that other kind of downtime: Unplanned. Something goes wrong and you need to scramble to fix it. Precisely because these are unexpected, you might not have the required widgets or personnel on-hand (or on-site). And it’s not just the repair itself. There’s usually lost revenue, reputational damage, and even more:“The repercussions of unplanned downtime extend beyond immediate financial losses,” <a href="https://www.maxgrip.com/resource/article-the-cost-of-unplanned-downtime/" target="_blank">explains this overview.</a>“Companies may face financial penalties and legal liabilities, especially if downtime leads to non-compliance with regulatory requirements. These penalties can add another layer of financial strain on top of the already significant downtime costs.”We’ve all heard stories about airlines being fined, sometimes heavily, for unexpected delays. And the reputational damage? You wouldn’t have to look hard to find consumers who have switched airlines, internet providers and more due to unplanned downtime that inconvenienced them.That same article dips into the oil and gas sector, using data from a 2016 study by Kimberlite (a research company specialising in the sector) which found offshore organisations face an average of $38M US annually in costs from unplanned downtime. Those with the worst records racked up yearly tabs close to $90M US. So clearly, it’s something most would like to avoid. <h3>The Advantages of Inspection</h3>Regular robotic inspection can help reduce unplanned downtime by identifying potential failures before they happen. Is a key component starting to age? Has wildlife encroached on sensitive components? Did the storm that passed through overnight have an impact on anything? Are all gauges reading as they should? Are there any thermal anomalies? Is there the molecular presence of hydrocarbons or other indicators above a safe threshold? Are there any strange new noises, such as arcing or humming?Yes. People can do this when they’re dispatched. But a robot tailored for inspection – and they can be customised for every client’s needs – can carry out these same tasks reliably, repeatedly, and on schedule.This idea of predictive maintenance is very much a pillar in the world of Industry 4.0, or 4IR (which we <a href="https://indrorobotics.ca/industry-4-0-and-indro-the-evolution-continues/" target="_blank">recently explored</a> in some detail). As companies move into this next phase, particularly in the manufacturing sector, Smart Devices are being integrated in every conceivable location across newer factory floors. In conjunction with software, they keep an eye on critical components, identifying potential problems before they occur. Industry leaders in this space, such as <a href="https://www.siemens.com/global/en/products/services/digital-enterprise-services/analytics-artificial-intelligence-services/predictive-services/senseye-predictive-maintenance.html" target="_blank">Siemens</a>, state these systems can result in up to a 50 per cent reduction in unplanned downtime, and up to a 40 per cent reduction in maintenance costs.That’s the gold standard. But we are just at the cusp of this integration, and it’s more broadly targeted at the manufacturing sector. Those remote electrical substations and oil assets are still, in many ways, not that smart when it comes to asset intelligence and will require regular inspection for many years to come.Below: InDro’s Sentinel inspection robot, which can be customised for any inspection scenario, It’s seen here at a demo for Ottawa Hydro<img src="https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wevolver-project-images/froala%2F1745353759048-DSC02672-scaled.jpg.webp" style="width:100%px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Sentinel Inspection Robot" /> <h3 id="isPasted">The Sentinel Solution</h3><a href="https://indrorobotics.ca/a-deep-dive-into-sentinel-inspection-robot/" target="_blank">Sentinel</a> is our flagship inspection robot. Our first iteration was in 2022 and – as with all InDro innovations – we have continued to enhance its capabilities. As new advances in sensors and compute have emerged, so too have Sentinel’s powers. But Sentinel’s evolution goes far beyond adding new LiDAR, depth cameras or processors. In the background at Area X.O, we are continuously improving our own IP. Specifically, our InDro Autonomy and InDro Controller software.<a href="https://indrorobotics.ca/new-indro-controller-a-simple-solution-to-complex-robotics-missions/" target="_blank">InDro Controller</a> is a desktop-based interface with Sentinel (or any other ROS-based robot). Fully customisable and easy to use, it allows our clients to plan and monitor missions with ease. A few clicks allows users to set up repeatable points of interest where the robot will carry our specific inspection tasks. Need eyes on a critical gauge? Have InDro Controller stop Sentinel at a particular spot. Use the 30X optical Pan-Tilt-Zoom camera to frame and capture the shot. Happy with the results? Great. InDro Controller will remember and carry out this step (and as many others as you’d like) when it next carries out the mission. Collisions won’t be an issue, as InDro Autonomy’s detect and avoid capabilities ensure there won’t be any mishaps on the way. In fact, you could drop Sentinel in a completely unfamiliar setting littered with obstacles, and it could map that site and even produce a precision scan. And, like a regular visit to the robot doctor, InDro Controller also monitors the overall system health of any integrated device.From the outset, Sentinel has been on a continuous journey pushing the R&amp;D envelope, with testing and rigorous third-party evaluation. An earlier iteration was even <a href="https://indrorobotics.ca/putting-sentinel-through-its-paces-at-epri/" target="_blank">put through demanding tests</a> by the US <a href="https://www.epri.com/" target="_blank">Electric Power Research Association</a> (EPRI) at its test facility in Massachusetts. All of these deployments have resulted in learnings that have been incorporated into our latest version of Sentinel. <h3>Set and Forget</h3>When it comes to remote assets, our clients clearly needed a hands-off approach. That meant we had to incorporate some sort of autonomous charging, since there’s no one on these sites to plug it in. We evaluated mechanical docking systems, but realised these physical mechanisms introduce another potential point of failure.And so we ultimately settled on a powerful wireless charging system. Using optical codes, Sentinel returns to a housed structure following its missions. It then positions itself snugly up to the wireless charging system so that it’s ready for the next deployment (you’ll see a picture of one of our earlier test structures in a few seconds). We needed to avoid metal to ensure the cleanest possible wireless communication (Sentinel operates over 5G and also has the option for WiFi). Housing Sentinel when it’s off-duty protects it from unnecessary exposure to the elements, though it’s certainly built to operate in virtually anything Mother Nature can throw at it (short of a hurricane).Finally, Sentinel also has InDro Commander on board. In addition to housing its powerful brain, Commander allows for the easy addition of additional sensors by simply plugging them in. It provides both power and a data pipeline, and InDro Controller has been built to instantly recognise the addition of any new sensors. In other words, if a client’s requirements change and a new sensor is required, Sentinel can be modified with relative ease and no new coding.Below: Sentinel, following a demonstration for Ottawa Hydro, snugs up to charge<img src="https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wevolver-project-images/froala%2F1745353798880-DSC02609-scaled.jpg.webp" style="width:100%px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Sentinel Inspection Robot Charging" /> <h3 id="isPasted">The Sentinel Evolution</h3>As mentioned, Sentinel has gone through a ton of testing, coding and development to reach its current iteration. We’ve taken literally all of our learnings and client feedback and put them into this robot. Sentinel does the job reliably and repeatedly, capturing actionable data intended to reduce downtime for our clients. What’s more, we have moved past the phase of producing these robots as one-offs when demand arises. With our fabrication facility <a href="https://indrorobotics.ca/from-napkin-sketch-to-prototype-reality-indro-forge-does-it-all/" target="_blank">InDro Forge</a>, we are now commencing to manufacture Sentinel at scale.“Sentinel is now a fully mature and market-ready product,” says InDro Founder and CEO Philip Reece. “We already have multiple Sentinels on the ground for a major US utility client and have other orders pending. We – like our clients – are confident Sentinel is worth the investment by reducing downtime and saving companies the expense and time of sending people to these remote locations for inspection work.”Interested in learning more, or even taking the controls for a remote demonstration of Sentinel and InDro Controller? <a href="https://indrorobotics.ca/connectwithanexpert/" target="_blank">Contact us here.</a>

While a capable inspection robot can be costly, so is downtime.

How Remote Inspection Robots Reduce Downtime

Robotic assembly lines have revolutionized production processes, enabling manufacturers to achieve high levels of efficiency, productivity, and quality.

What are Robotic Assembly Lines? History, Components, Advantages, Limitations, Applications, and Future

Ever wondered how robotic arms achieve precise movement in manufacturing, healthcare, or logistics? It’s all about smart design — from sturdy components and kinematics to advanced control systems. Discover how these elements work together to deliver accuracy, flexibility, and real-world efficiency.

What are manipulator robots? Understanding their Design, Types, and Applications

Assembly Line Automation and Production of Cars

Explore how assembly line automation integrates robotics, control systems, and smart technologies to boost efficiency, quality, and flexibility in manufacturing!

Assembly Line Automation: Revolutionizing Modern Manufacturing for Engineers

Gantry systems are industrial robots with a mechanical framework that uses a movable trolley over a linear bridge. They have become an indispensable part of various industries due to their unmatched precision, speed, and flexibility.

Gantry Systems: A Comprehensive Guide to Understanding and Implementing Gantry Technology

Modern High Tech Authentic Robot Arm Holding Contemporary Super Computer Processor

This technical article examines the mechanical engineering principles of CoWoS Packaging Technology, its mechanism, control systems, and performance metrics that define this cutting-edge technology! 

hazardous environments

Technical Guides

CAN vs LIN: A Comprehensive Technical Analysis of Automotive and Industrial Network Protocols...

What are Robotic Assembly Lines? History, Components, Advantages, Limitations, Applications, and Future...

What are manipulator robots? Understanding their Design, Types, and Applications...

Assembly Line Automation: Revolutionizing Modern Manufacturing for Engineers...

Gantry Systems: A Comprehensive Guide to Understanding and Implementing Gantry Technology...

CoWoS Packaging Technology: Advanced Automation Systems in Modern Industrial Packaging...

ORGANIZATIONS.

SHAPING THE INDUSTRY.

Nordic Semiconductor

READY Robotics

DEEP Robotics

FLIR

Deep Trekker