Progress in the development of a S RETGEM-based detector for an early forest fire warning system

In this paper we present a prototype of a Strip Resistive Thick GEM photosensitive gaseous detector filled with Ne and ethylferrocene vapours at a total pressure of 1 atm for an early forest fire detection system. Tests show that it is one hundred times more sensitive than the best commercial ultraviolet flame detectors and therefore, it is able to reliably detect a flame of 1.5x1.5x1.5 m3 at a distance of about 1km. An additional and unique feature of this detector is its imaging capability, which in combination with other techniques, may significantly reduce false fire alarms when operating in an automatic mode. Preliminary results conducted with air filled photosensitive gaseous detectors are also presented. The approach main advantages include both the simplicity of manufacturing and affordability of construction materials such as plastics and glues specifically reducing detector production cost. The sensitivity of these air filled detectors at certain conditions may be as high as those filled with Ne and EF. Long term test results of such sealed detectors indicate a significant progress in this direction. We believe that our detectors utilized in addition to other flame and smoke sensors will exceptionally increase the sensitivity of forest fire detection systems. Our future efforts will be focused on attempts to commercialize such detectors utilizing our aforementioned findings.Comment: Presented at the International Conference on Micropattern gaseous detectors, Crete, Greece, June 200

Visually Impaired Assistant (VIA) [aid for the visually impaired]

Expanding the possibilities and depth-of-field of the visually impaired is highly desired. They are unfortunately limited to only a couple of valid options in the current market. There are an estimated 285 million people who are regarded as visually impaired worldwide. With the VIA, we at Sensible Solutions are hoping to change how a large portion of these visually impaired people approach the world. Our objective is to create a remote-like device for a more compact and accurate solution. We will use audio feedback through a speaker to indicate obstacles. This will give an indication of how far the obstacle is from the person and what kind of obstacle it is. It will give the user a larger awareness radius. With our design, we are taking some very important measures into consideration. Specifically, our aim is to give the greatest radius possible, but this must also stay very accurate. Size and form factor is also a very important consideration