Background
In Colombia, climate change is being combated through innovative aviation platforms and sensing technologies. The HIPAE mission, using helicopters, measures pollutants and meteorological variables. Additionally, the C-3 project focuses on the design and construction of a UAV and a smart payload for atmospheric research, while the Simple 4 sensor network in Medellín monitors air quality at various altitudes, providing critical data for chemical transport models and informed decision-making.
Smart Payload
This device, called Q-bee, powered by AI, is capable of measuring concentrations of various pollutants, including CO2, NO2, and O3, as well as the full visible and near-infrared spectrum.
It is useful for monitoring agriculture, deforestation, detecting mining activities, and assessing climate change.
Furthermore, through data assimilation, atmospheric modeling for Colombian cities can be improved, enabling smart decision-making to combat climate change.
Scientific Publications
A. Y. Botero et al., "HIPAE Helicopter-borne In-situ Pollution Assessment Experiment: plataforma alternativa para la medición de contaminantes en capas verticales [Not available in English]," 2019 Congreso Colombiano y Conferencia Internacional de Calidad de Aire y Salud Pública (CASP), Barranquilla, Colombia, 2019, pp. 1-5, doi: 10.1109/CASAP.2019.8916711.
Lopez-Restrepo, S., Yarce, A., Pinel, N., Quintero, O. L., Segers, A., & Heemink, A. W. (2021). Urban air quality modeling using low-cost sensor network and data assimilation in the Aburrá Valley, Colombia. Atmosphere, 12(1), 91.
Yarce Botero, A., Lopez Restrepo, S., Sebastian Rodriguez, J., Valle, D., Galvez-Serna, J., Montilla, E., ... & Pinel, N. (2023). Design and Implementation of a Low-Cost Air Quality Network for the Aburra Valley Surrounding Mountains. Pollutants, 3(1), 150-165.
Yarce Botero, A., Montoya, O. L. Q., Lopez-Restrepo, S., Pinel, N., Hinestroza, J. E., Niño-Ruiz, E. D., ... & Lorduy, S. (2021). Medellin Air Quality Initiative (MAUI). Environmental Sustainability: Preparing for Tomorrow; IntechOpen: London, UK, 99.
