Press Release: Scientists Develop Fastest Multi-Gas Detector In The World To Curb Global Warming

Using new photonics technology, European scientists developed the world's fastest gas detector to prevent global warming.

The multi-gas detector, MIREGAS, is the first of its kind that delivers a single, multi-band gas sensor in milliseconds to detect dozens of harmful emissions. This groundbreaking innovation by Horizon2020 project can help curb and prevent climate change, which has been seen to greatly affect the planet with stronger hurricanes, heat waves, sea level rising and melting of ice glaciers.

Methane Concentrations Increasing

According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the concentrations of atmospheric methane (CH4) are two and a half times more than pre-industrial levels. This gas is more than 20 times effective in trapping heat and remains in the atmosphere for more than 10 years, compared to carbon dioxide.

The World Bank Group consisting of the European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC), Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency (PBL) and the Emission Database for Global Atmospheric Research (EDGAR) released its latest data on methane emissions (kt of CO2 equivalent) across the world. Between 1970 and 2012, the emissions have drastically increased from roughly 5.2 million to a staggering 8 million.

MIREGAS Detects Harmful Emissions In Milliseconds

The new gas detector can increase the rate of identifying harmful emissions in the atmosphere. Current technology detects these gases for up to 10 seconds. The new device, however, can detect these harmful emissions in milliseconds, making it thousands times faster. With just one sensor, it can take multiple readings concurrently.

"Because the MIREGAS device is adjustable, it is possible to use only one light source instead of several lasers. This means that we can make multiple readings and monitor several harmful gases simultaneously through one sensor," Professor Pentti Karioja from the VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland Ltd said in a press release by Horizon2020 Project.

With various countries across the globe signing the Paris Climate Change Agreement, it is important to have an effective monitoring equipment. Many countries, including the United States, have promised to reduce gas emissions by 2025. Thus, this useful and cost-effective gas detector can help monitor the greenhouse gases to curb the predicament of global warming.