Atmospheric measurement techniques· 2026Q1
Ultra-lightweight mid-IR methane sensor for in-situ UAV-based measurements: Design and demonstration
- 1citations
- Q1SCImago
- 2026year
Short summary
A 1.2 kg, 11 W mid-infrared laser spectroscopic sensor enables in-situ methane measurements from UAVs with 3.7 ppb resolution (1s average) and detection of flux rates as low as 0.2 kg/h.
AI-generated from the title and abstract; the full text is not read.
Key points
- Developed an ultra-lightweight (1.2 kg, 11 W) mid-infrared laser spectroscopic sensor for UAV deployment.
- Sensor features a compact Herriott-type multi-pass cell in an open-path configuration.
- Achieves 3.7 ppb methane measurement resolution at a 1s averaging time.
- Detected methane flux rates as low as 0.2 kg/h in controlled-release experiments.
AI-generated from the title and abstract; the full text is not read.
Abstract
Abstract. We developed an ultra-lightweight mid-infrared laser spectroscopic sensor for precise, rapid mobile measurements of atmospheric methane concentrations aboard small uncrewed aerial vehicles. The design is simple and compact, featuring a Herriott-type multi-pass cell in an open-path configuration. A single board computer with two on-chip microprocessor units allows rapid data acquisition and onboard wavelength modulation spectroscopy, making the sensor a stand-alone turnkey instrument. Including the dedicated battery, the sensor weighs 1.2 kg and consumes up to 11 W of electrical power under standard laboratory conditions making it one of the most lightweight sensors reported. The measurement resolution is 3.7 ppb at a 1 s averaging time. We deployed the sensor in controlled-release experiments and detected methane flux rates as low as 0.2 kg h-1. Consequently, it can be deployed to measure fugitive emissions from anthropogenic and natural sources that would be undetectable for other methods.
The authors' abstract, as published at the source. Atmospheric measurement techniques, 2026 · DOI ↗
Continue with a free account
Ask the paper: 3 free questions a day about this paper; save it, get its citation, new summaries every day for your field. Takeaways are Premium.
Continue free on the webSign in with Google or Apple; no card needed. You come back to this paper.
On your phone:
Field: Spectroscopy
SpectroscopyChemistry