Autonomous Broad Spectrum Environmental Sentinels

We propose a platform for aerial environmental monitoring based on the integration of two advanced technologies for the first time: a lightweight, flying robotic platform capable of hovering and swarming, and a compact, low-power chemical sensor platform called the Molecular Property Spectrometer (MPS): a robust, low-cost, silicon-chip-based micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) that has been used for detection and identification of chemicals and trace (parts-per-trillion) levels of explosives vapor and particles in defense applications. The MPS sensor"s orthogonal analysis capability, low power consumption, small size, light weight and near-imperviousness to high g-force trauma (from drops, hitting the ground, etc.) all combine to make it highly suitable for a flyable chemical sensor module. The University of Nevada, Reno quadcopter design employs four independently controlled rotors with advanced onboard sensors to fly autonomously. The system will be capable of inter-unit communication and self-powering. Utilizing the real-time data collected and analyzed by the MPS, the unit will be capable of swarming with other units during the 90-minute surveillance flight, collecting data once per minute over a given area to localize and profile a contaminant source.