Sampling in watercourses is an activity that today isn’t easy, but very important. You need to bring a boat on bad forest roads and spend a lot of time on logistics. It is not only hard and time-consuming to perform, but also expensive. Sparv Embedded is part of a team to come up with a UAV-based solution to make these samplings easier, faster and cheaper. We use the flexible sensor system Sparvio and contribute our knowledge from working on UAV sensor solutions over the past few years. The pictures are from a demo performed on May 14th in Västervik, Sweden. At the demo, we flew a quadcopter over a lake, descending twice to allow the hanging payload to collect water samples at two different points. The samples can then be analyzed as usual in a lab.

In the next step, we will also directly measure temperature, pH, conductivity and most importantly oxygen levels. The data will be visible in real-time to the operator, allowing on-the-spot exploration of variations in water quality. This would be useful to map plumes of emissions, for example in case of chemical spills. Where a deviation is discovered, the drone could take a water sample for further analysis.

A complete Sparvio system attached to a customer’s drone. Sparvio parts attached are the data logger, radio module, T/RH sensor, wind sensor from Anemoment and a Figaro methane sensor. Soon to be delivered.

More information about the Sparvio system: http://windsond.com/sparvio/

Have a great weekend!

We have had the pleasure to be visited by KNMI (Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute) representatives this week for a workshop on developing their novel NO2 sensor. We had a very productive workshop on practical design, measurement principles, project planning and also touching on eventual business ventures.

NO2 (Nitrogen dioxide) has a strong negative health effect. Due to a degradation time measured in minutes or hours and the low background levels, NO2 is a clear indicator of nearby pollution. The gas is almost exclusively produced from combustion, making the sources easy to pinpoint. This makes sampling NO2 suitable to make detailed maps of urban pollution.

Here is our overview of the work needed to develop a sensor from idea to product. The text is based on the experience of Sparv Embedded, but is valid for any project.

Path to sensor commercialization

Please get back to us if you have any thoughts or inputs.

Sorry for not updating this blog too often.

We will be out of the office most of the time between December 21st – January 2nd. We will get back to you as fast as we can. We hope all of you will have a wonderful Christmas and a happy new year!

Exciting times ahead!

Best wishes
The Sparv team

Hi!

We have changed product name for the UAV sensor system from Sparv Sensors to Sparvio. Have a look at the new web page windsond.com/sparvio. We hope you like it.

Summer is soon here and as usual our team will be on summer vacation. We will leave the office mid July and be back mid August.
You are still welcome to contact us at info@sparvembedded.com, but we can’t give you our usual, fast response time.

Have a great summer!

Best regards,
The Sparv Team

Don’t miss our latest newsletter: Sparv Newsletter – January 2018

Have a great weekend!

Best regards,
Sparv Team

We will not be at the office between December 23 – January 2. We will answer emails when we get back from our holiday.

Enjoy the rest of this year!

Best regards,

Sparv Team

The RR3 radio receiver with Ethernet connector is now available. It is similar to the RR2 radio receiver, with a weather proof design to ease operations in inclement weather. You can find more information if you follow this link: RR3 Radio Receiver

Researchers from Penn State University used Sparv’s novel instrument “Swarmsonde” for a research project earlier this year. The purpose was to capture thermodynamic data within and around a tornado. The data obtained will help explain how tornadoes are formed. This new instrument can measure up to 32 sondes at the same time and stay in the air for more than an hour. Click on Swarmsonde for specifications about the sounding tool.

News article from MTWE:

http://www.meteorologicaltechnologyworldexpo.com/en/industry-news.php?release=d8d31bd778da8bdd536187c36e48892b