Post-doctoral research fellows from SUTD create a weather monitoring device to reduce e-waste.
Key Details
Inspiration from Nature: Inspired by the movement of maple seeds as they fall, post-doctoral research fellows Shane Kyi Hla Win and Danial Sufiyan Shaiful from the Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD) developed the airXeed Radiosonde. This innovative technology aims to reduce the electronic waste (e-waste) generated by weather forecasting devices.
James Dyson Award: Their invention won the James Dyson Award for Sustainability in 2024, outshining nearly 2,000 global entries. The award, which recognizes innovative solutions for sustainability, comes with a $50,500 prize.
The Problem with Radiosondes: Radiosondes, which measure critical atmospheric data for weather forecasting, are released daily via weather balloons. However, they cause significant e-waste when they fall back to Earth after the balloon bursts, with almost 1 million radiosondes released annually, generating 48 tonnes of e-waste.
Sustainable Design: The airXeed Radiosonde replicates the spinning movement of a maple seed to allow the device to land in more accessible locations, facilitating retrieval and reuse. The radiosonde has two flight modes for stability and safety, reducing collision risks with airplanes. It also features modular components for easy repair and recycling, with sustainable materials used in its construction.
Future Goals: The team plans to use the prize money to further develop the device, conduct real-world trials, and explore collaborations with weather stations and radiosonde manufacturers to optimize the design for global use.
