R&D to enhance drone flight technology to facilitate pollution reduction in urban areas

该项目的目的是进一步开发和证明使用Aspira定制的无人机（无人机）安全有效地喷涂特定涂层和消毒剂。这些涂料可用于保护和加固建筑物和结构，解决包括氮氧化物和颗粒物在内的空气污染，并为包括Covid-19在内的传染病消毒区域。Aspira是一家领先的技术公司，通过使用定制的无人机开发新的，更安全的方法来维护和处理高层建筑和结构的专业涂层，该无人机已经获得民航局（CAA）的批准，可以在建筑物附近飞行和喷涂。我们的主要目标是通过使用积极清洁建筑物的涂料来支持绿色议程，减少空气污染和颗粒物，以及减轻高空工作的风险。我们特别关注一种专业产品的应用，该产品基于具有光催化性能的纳米钛技术。一种潜在的改变游戏规则的透明材料，当应用于外部表面时，将表面转化为自清洁，污染破坏催化清洁剂。使用二氧化钛涂层减少氮氧化物并不是一项新技术，它是催化转化器的原理。限制是将其应用于现有结构的成本过高。我们的无人机将允许快速有效地处理建筑物，同时最大限度地降低传统方法失败的成本。我们的系统和重型升力喷涂无人机具有独特的水平（向前）和向下喷涂能力，使用地面和机载喷涂系统。为了实现这一目标，我们项目的主要目标是：*进一步开发和试验防碰撞技术，以最大限度地减少在接近建筑物/结构时飞行的潜在风险。*建立和试验强大的操作程序，使特定的涂层能够有效和安全地使用我们的无人机喷涂。*维持规管授权，加强喷雾作业，以处理空气污染问题。*进一步发展有效的喷洒系统，以应用污染控制产品。*利用与索尔福德大学科学、工程与环境学院建立的关系和拟议的试验来进行试验*了解并解决任何环境影响，包括积极的和消极的（如适用）。我们已经证明了这个概念，但我们现在需要改进技术。这包括开发尖端的飞行稳定技术，并有效喷涂各种涂层，以针对肮脏的建筑物和结构，包括氮氧化物和颗粒物在内的空气污染。这也可用于对COVID-19和其他传染病进行消毒。一旦开发出来，这将使诸如保护和美化城市中心，大幅减少氮氧化物和颗粒污染物以及冠状病毒等疾病的潜在传播等举措成为可能，成本可承受，同时降低高空工作的风险。COVID-19造成的中断对我们实现这一目标所需的技术研发产生了重大不利影响，这笔拨款将使我们能够实现这一目标。

The intent of this project is to further develop and prove safe and effective spraying of specific coatings and disinfectants using Aspira's bespoke Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (drone). These coatings can be used to protect and enhance buildings and structures, tackle air pollution including NOx and particulate matter and disinfect areas against infectious diseases including Covid-19\.Aspira is a leading technology company developing new, safer ways of maintaining and treating tall buildings and structures with specialist coatings by using a bespoke Drone, already approved by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) to fly and spray in close proximity to buildings. Our primary aim is to support the green agenda by applying coatings that actively clean buildings and reduce air pollution and particulate matter, as well as to mitigate the risks of working at height.In particular we are focussing on the application of a specialist product, based on nano titanium technology with photo catalytic properties. A potentially game changing transparent material that when applied to exterior surfaces transforms the surface into a self-cleaning, pollution busting catalytic cleaner.Reducing NOx using a titanium dioxide coating is not a new technology, it is the principle of catalytic converters. The restriction is the prohibitive cost of applying this to existing structures. Our drone will allow buildings to be treated quickly, effectively whilst minimising the cost where more traditional methods have failedOur system and heavy lift spray drone has a unique capability of spraying both horizontally (forwards) and downwards, using both ground fed and onboard spray systems.In order to achieve this goal our key objectives of the project are:* To further develop and trial the anti-collision technology to minimise potential risk associated with flying in close proximity to buildings/structures whilst spraying.* To establish and trial robust operating procedures to enable specific coatings to be effectively and safely sprayed using our drone.* To maintain regulatory authorisation for enhanced spray operations to tackle air pollution.* To further develop an effective spraying system to apply the pollution control product.* To trial this using the establish relationship and proposed trials with Salford University School of Science, Engineering & Environment* To understand and address any environmental impact, both positive and negative (where applicable).We have proven this concept but we now need to refine the technology. This includes developing cutting edge flight stabilisation technology and effective spraying a variety of coatings to target dirty buildings and structures, air pollution including NOx and particulate matter. This could also be used to disinfect areas against COVID-19 and other infectious diseases.Once developed this will enable initiatives such as the protection and aesthetic enhancement of city centres, significant reduction in NOx and particulate pollutants and potentially the spread of diseases such as coronavirus at a cost that is affordable and whilst reducing the risk of working at height.The disruption caused by COVID-19 has significantly and adversely impacted our research and development for the technology required to make this a reality and this grant will enable us to achieve this goal.