Technology


Talking Point Heading


Autonomous drones emerge as a new platform for gas detection and safety monitoring


Copy


Advances in intelligent drone technology are positioning unmanned aerial systems (UAS) as a practical new platform for gas detection and safety monitoring in hazardous environments.


xxxxx@reply-direct.com


Recent peer-reviewed research led by the University of Sharjah highlights how improvements in endurance, autonomy, sensor integration and artifi cial intelligence are transforming drones from experimental tools into operational safety infrastructure.


While much attention has focused on applications such as disaster response, agriculture and logistics, the same technological trajectory strongly supports the use of drones for detecting hazardous gases in industrial, urban and emergency settings, where rapid access and human safety are critical constraints.


Extending gas monitoring into inaccessible and dangerous spaces


Traditional gas detection systems rely heavily on fi xed sensors or manual inspections, both of which have limitations during leaks, fi res, confi ned-space incidents or large-area releases.


Intelligent drones equipped with gas sensors provide a mobile alternative, capable of sampling air above, around and inside environments that are unsafe or impractical for human entry.


The research, published in the International Journal of Cognitive Computing in Engineering, emphasises how next-generation drones are achieving longer fl ight times, wider operational ranges and greater resilience.


These capabilities are particularly relevant for safety monitoring tasks such as tracking toxic plumes, surveying industrial facilities after an incident, or assessing atmospheric conditions during chemical releases.


Sensor fusion and autonomous hazard awareness


A central theme of the study is the rapid improvement of onboard perception. As drones integrate advanced sensors including LiDAR, inertial measurement units and environmental sensing payloads, they are increasingly able to perceive and interpret complex surroundings in real time.


For gas safety applications, this enables sensor fusion approaches in which gas concentration data is combined with spatial mapping and airfl ow modelling.


Drones can autonomously adjust fl ight paths to follow concentration gradients, identify leak sources, or maintain safe standoff distances while still collecting actionable data.


Artifi cial intelligence further allows drones to distinguish between background fl uctuations and abnormal emissions, reducing false alarms and improving response accuracy.


Integration into industrial and emergency safety systems


As drones become increasingly connected through 5G and emerging 6G networks, the study anticipates their integration into wider Internet of Things (IoT) ecosystems.


For gas detection, this creates opportunities for drones to act as mobile nodes within safety monitoring networks, complementing fi xed detectors and plant instrumentation.


Real-time data transmission enables drone- based gas measurements to feed directly into control rooms, emergency response platforms or digital twins of industrial sites.


This supports faster decision-making during incidents, more informed evacuation planning, and improved post-incident analysis.


The authors also stress the need for evolving regulatory frameworks as drone use expands, a point that is particularly relevant for safety and gas monitoring applications.


Operation near industrial facilities, urban areas or critical infrastructure require clear airspace rules, cybersecurity protections and data governance to ensure safe and accountable deployment.


From a safety perspective, drones offer a clear ethical advantage: they reduce the need for human exposure to toxic, explosive or oxygen-defi cient environments. However, their deployment must be carefully managed to ensure reliability, sensor accuracy and secure operation in high-risk contexts.


Read the full article online: ilmt.co/TL/xDQZ


Leak Detection


Advanced hydrogen leak detection for industrial applications


The Sensistor Sentrac Hydrogen Leak Detector, from INFICON, sets a new standard for industrial leak detection. Built on Sensistor’s proven, highly selective hydrogen sensor technology, it delivers exceptional sensitivity—capable of pinpointing both small and large leaks, even in environments with high background tracer gas levels. Thanks to its superior selectivity, the Sentrac maintains reliable performance even under conditions with disturbing background gases such as VOCs, ensuring accurate leak detection in challenging industrial settings.


At the core of the Sentrac is a large, high- resolution color touchscreen with an expanded viewing angle for excellent visibility in all lighting conditions. Its intuitive interface allows quick navigation through menus and settings, enabling fast setup and effi cient operation. Clear visual feedback and logical layouts ensure operators can focus on leak


detection with minimal training. The ergonomic Strix®


Plug-and-play smart sensors set a new standard


Based upon the popular A-series and B-series platforms, Alphasense’s A+ and B+ feature Integrated Smart Technology (IST), delivering a wide range of out-of-the-box benefi ts. These sensors have an integrated memory and temperature sensor. Pre-populated with more than 30 sensor specifi c parameters and over 8KB in vacant memory, the A+ and B+ set a new standard in plug-and-play sensors.


hand probe enhances


precision and comfort. A multi-function button offers instant access to key functions, while integrated LED lights illuminate the inspection area for reliable pinpointing. The probe’s built-in LCD delivers real-time results directly to the operator’s hand.


Available in desktop, panel, and portable versions, the Sentrac is robust, lightweight, and ideal for both manual and robot-assisted inspections across demanding industrial environments.


More information online: ilmt.co/PL/lMGn 66028pr@reply-direct.com


With over 15,000 memory slots, A+ and B+ sensors present instrument manufacturers with numerous possibilities to streamline production, improve performance and enhance end user experience.


Pre-calibrated sensors: Pre-calibrated sensors present cost savings and reduced production lead times. Plug-and-play sensors in the fi eld enable users to load the required cell and go straight to work rather than spending valuable time and resource on calibration.


Traceability/Route to Market: IST gives instrument OEMs the ability to track sensors route through the supply chain, adding a service lock or coding sensors to instruments to prevent non-approved maintenance or the installation of uncertifi ed sensors.


To fi nd all of the latest articles and stories on gas detection


8


Maintenance: With preloaded production and maintenance data, the host device has an awareness of its own warranty and service status, rejecting sensors it deems incompatible and driving predictive rather than reactive maintenance, minimising instrument downtime and unnecessary sensor replacements.


Performance: With sensor performance data captured within the sensor memory,


Gas Sensors


the host device can fl ag when operating conditions are outside of the sensors range or where performance has deviated from spec, enhancing safe operation of devices.


Compliance: In saving bump and/or calibration dates on individual sensors, only those requiring calibration are tested. Over time, an instrument can build up a picture of sensor performance, driving predictive rather than periodic bump and calibration.


Interchangeability: The host instrument can identify the target gas, calibration and maintenance status of the installed sensor without the need for user intervention. The instrument can also simultaneously update alarm set points and associated data.


A+ and B+ sensors are built upon the fi eld- proven and highly regards A and B-Series. All A+ and B+ sensors are backwards compatible, sharing the same size, performance characteristics and pin-out as the A and B series.


This two-tiered sensor offering gives instrument manufacturers the ability to standardise electronic hardware and differentiate instrument features based upon sensor selection.


More information online: ilmt.co/PL/wGnN 66094pr@reply-direct.com


IET - JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2026


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60