Introduction:
Australia has always experienced bushfires, but as climate change and global warming start to have different patterns, disasters such as bushfires start to become more dangers. However with the severity of the bushfires are increasing, new technologies are being developed to better defend people from the bushfires.
Some ideas to help against bushfires are having immediate effect, while others are too imaginative and unrealistic. hey all show how innovation is helping humans defend against impending disasters.
1. Virtual Realist and haptic technology that can help train firefighters
A problem with training firefighters to fight against bushovers is that the chemicals used to defend against fires are not very environmentally friendly. One Australian entrepreneur is devising a system that uses virtual reality and haptics (the use of technology that stimulates the senses of touch and motion) to help firefighters gain experience with their equipment without leaving the unpleasant chemicals behind.
2. Keeping firefighters safe from truck burnovers
During bushfires, the media have shared videos of firefighters driving through raging fires, these moments are called burnovers. CSIRO are trying to find a solution, testing water sprays and shields to determine the best solution to reduce exposure to radiation, temperature and toxic gases.
CSIRO have developed firetrucks that now have features such as:
- A ring of spray nozzles that deliver a ‘water curtain’ over the vehicle’s cabin.
- Radiant heat shields or curtains for windows to block radiation from reaching the people in the cabin. These inclusions also provide an extra layer of protection if the windows break.
- Water sprays to stop wheels and pumps catching alight.
- Fire resistant covers for electrical, pumps, air intakes and air hoses.
3. Drones on the job
Australia, in recent years have been trying to integrate drones into their efforts. Drones have been used to monitor fires, giving responders thermal and visual data. In 2017, the drones were used to help locate property damage and hotsports. Advantages drones have over other aircraft are that they can fly without a pilot, with a pilot they could be in danger of the smoky conditions and low-altitude flight required to monitor the fires.
4. Putting satellites and spaces cameras to use
The German Aerospace Center and LaTrobe University engineering departments have used a hyperspectral camera that has been installed on the International Space Station.
The technology can be used to monitor the bushfires from orbit, providing firefighters with mapping information. Other ideas have also come up, where the satellite data could be used for virtual reality and holograms that can help observers see conditions.
5. Using sound waves to extinguish blazes
One way of revolutionising firefighting is if it could be done without water or chemicals. Students from the George Mason University have come up with a way to extinguish fires using soundwaves.
“The principle behind the extinguisher is simple: as they are mechanical pressure waves that cause vibrations in the medium in which they travel, sound waves have the potential to manipulate both burning material and the oxygen that surrounds it. If the sound could be used to separate the two, the fire would be starved of oxygen and, accordingly, would be snuffed out.”
There are issues with this solution as the fires may come back after the sound waves are switched off.
Conclusion:
The bushfires in Australia are becoming more and more severe and deadly but along with these tragic incidents, new technologies are being devised to better defend people against these fires.
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