Whoever walks through the forest usually notices changes late. Trees often already appear dry or diseased. However, they send out chemical signals much earlier. A new technology from Saxony aims to detect these traces immediately in future.
A research team led by the Fraunhofer Institute for Photonic Microsystems IPMS in Dresden is working with partners to develop a portable sensor system for this purpose. It is designed to measure environmental changes directly on site.
Use from forest to industry
The technology could change many areas. In environmental research, it helps to assess the condition of forests more quickly. Damage could be detected earlier. There are also applications for safety. For example, the system could detect dangerous substances or explosives. In industry, it could be used to better monitor processes.
The project will run until 2027, with the aim of creating a practical demonstrator. Fraunhofer IPMS is developing the sensors and the overall system. The UFZ is testing the application under real environmental conditions. ZAFT is creating the AI algorithms for evaluation. There is a clear long-term trend. Environmental monitoring is becoming more mobile and data-driven. Experts are talking about a new generation of intelligent sensors. Because those who recognize changes earlier can act faster. This applies to forests as well as hazardous substances.
