Breathe2Change Project: Sensors with AI to monitor air quality and detect fires
The Breathe2Change project, led by CONICET researcher Rodrigo Gibilisco, is a pioneering initiative that allows the study of atmospheric pollution, early detection of fire outbreaks, and offers various applications. It collaborates with Argentine companies and various public and private institutions, both nationally and internationally. This year, it received a grant from the Energy Policy Institute of the University of Chicago (EPIC) in the United States to expand its monitoring network to ten provinces in the country.
In 2021, the first network of sensors to monitor air quality was installed in the province of Tucumán. These sensors, developed in collaboration with two Argentine companies, are being implemented by the Atmospheric Studies Laboratory led by Gibilisco at the Institute of Chemistry of Northwestern Argentina (INQUINOA, CONICET-UNT) in San Miguel de Tucumán. The devices measure atmospheric pollution by detecting the concentration of microparticles smaller than 1 micrometer in diameter, associated with industrial activities, agriculture, vehicular traffic, fires, and other sources.
“So far, we have more than 20 sensors operating throughout Tucumán that generate real-time data. Now we will expand the monitoring network to ten more provinces, and the long-term goal is to achieve a federal air quality monitoring network</strong," says Gibilisco, a Ph.D. in Chemical Sciences. He also emphasizes: "In the project, we incorporate artificial intelligence (AI) tools to ‘teach’ the sensors to be more precise in detecting and measuring atmospheric pollutants.”
The project is based on three fundamental pillars:
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Implementation of a sensor network that captures and transmits data on air quality to a cloud platform.
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Team of specialized scientists who analyze the collected data in detail.
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Assistance and scientific collaboration program aimed at promoting and implementing public policies and private initiatives to improve air quality.
Gibilisco emphasizes the importance of the project for monitoring air quality:
“Improving air quality is key to health. Close to seven million people worldwide die from cardiovascular and respiratory diseases associated with air pollution. Gathering accurate information on pollution levels and identifying their sources is a necessary step to promote the transition to non-polluting and renewable energies, involving both the public and private sectors.”
Recognition and International Expansion
In 2021, Breathe2Change was recognized by the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation in Germany, which allowed progress in creating the first monitoring network in Tucumán and providing a platform for real-time open access data.
This year, the project received the EPIC award from the Clean Air Program of the Energy Policy Institute of the University of Chicago. This grant will allow replicating the Tucumán experience in another ten Argentine provinces.
“The long-term goal is to achieve a federal monitoring network covering the entire national territory, thus contributing to international efforts to monitor air quality globally. The project we are developing in Argentina is on par with initiatives in the European Union, and that fills us with pride,” says Gibilisco.
Artificial Intelligence in Environmental Service
Artificial intelligence plays a crucial role in Breathe2Change. The sensors are equipped with AI that allows them to improve their performance as they collect data, using machine learning tools to increase the precision in their measurements.
Furthermore, AI is used to analyze the millions of generated data, enabling the creation of more precise maps on the distribution of pollutants, their sources, and atmospheric dynamics that influence their dispersion. It also facilitates the correlation between pollution levels and the prevalence of diseases in specific populations.
Early Fire Detection: DALI-Sense Project
Simultaneously, Gibilisco leads the project “Development of a multilevel platform for Fire Detection and Alert: DALI-Sense,” which uses the Breathe2Change sensor network to detect contaminants associated with fires. By combining this data with satellite information, it is possible to identify fire outbreaks early, alerting authorities for a quick response. For this initiative, the researcher received the Franco-Argentine Distinction in Innovation 2023 in the Junior category.
A Global Effort without Borders
“The fact that Breathe2Change is supported by national and international institutions is truly inspiring. It highlights the importance of clean air as a global effort without borders. This support motivates us to intensify our efforts, fostering unity to ensure clean and breathable air for all,” says Gibilisco.
Breathe2Change partners include key actors from the public sector such as the Secretariat of Environment of Tucumán, Argentine companies Neuer Weg and Química Norte Ambiental, academic institutions from Germany, France, and Italy, the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation, national and international NGOs, and the embassies of Germany, France, and Italy in Argentina, which have facilitated the creation of international work networks.
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