Researchers Javier Burgués and Santiago Marco, from the Faculty of Physics of the University of Barcelona and the Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia. Source: IBECResearchers Javier Burgués and Santiago Marco, from the Faculty of Physics of the University of Barcelona and the Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia. Source: IBECResearchers from the University of Barcelona (UB) and the Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC) have developed a nanodrone for detecting dangerous gases in collapsed buildings..

Called a Smelling Nano Aerial Vehicle (SNAV), the nanodrone weighs 35 g and is capable of flying and identifying gases in locations inaccessible to other remote vehicles. The SNAV contains nanometric, metal-oxide gas sensors that react to gases including carbon monoxide, methane and other organic volatile compounds such as acetone, ethanol and benzene. Reportedly, the nanodrone has a detection threshold of roughly one part per million in volume.

The SNAV nanodrone is designed to work in both interior spaces as well as larger spaces where a chemical emission source is not immediately obvious, such as in air duct systems or false ceilings.

The device could potentially be useful in "rescue operations in collapsed buildings due to earthquakes and explosions," said Santiago Marco, principal researcher at IBEC and member of the department of electronic and biomedical engineering of the UB, who led the new research study.

"SNAV can detect toxic gases and even the compounds unconscious victims exhale, and search for drugs or explosives in places that are hard to enter."

Typically following an event such as an earthquake or explosion, trained dogs are deployed to locate victims. However, using autonomous robots in the aftermath of such an event, particularly nanodrones, might expand the capability and improve the speed of searches, according to researchers.

"Terrestrial robots used to focus the searching on the field of chemical signaling-based localization. Today, the option of using nanodrones broadens the ability and quickness of the robots to move within an interior space and overcome obstacles such as stairs," added Marco.

To combat the effects of craft turbulence, which could affect data collection, the team applied signal-processing methods to collect information from sensors within the SNAV. Another challenge is self-localization. Drones flying in large, open spaces are led by GPS navigation systems. Yet that technology is not appropriate for drones and other devices flying within interior spaces. The nanodrone is outfitted with gyroscopes and accelerometers to help navigate, but cannot localize sufficiently. Consequently, six RF transceivers serve as navigation aids for the SNAV in a local area.

The research appears in the journal Sensors.

To contact the author of this article, email mdonlon@globalspec.com