According to a recent report, research on fire detection and monitoring by young innovators from Mapúa University was showcased during the 2018 National Science and Technology Week forum.
Project Fire Luminosity Alert and Multisensory Equipment (FLAME) was developed by seven Grade 12 students of the Mapúa Senior High School, who were taking up Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education.
Project FLAME is powered by the Internet of Things (IoT) and the Artificial Neural Network technologies.
It is a fire-detecting equipment that uses heat signature mapping and multi-sensory system, which was aimed to reduce fire incidents.
It makes use of video image analysis and creates an accurate early detection system that will send alerts and warnings to the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) for a faster fire incident response.
The double trigger feature provides the accuracy of the equipment. Alarm will be sent only when heat irregularities are shown in the heat map and the fire hazard sensor is triggered.
With IoT, data is not only measured, but is actually predicted. Warning and fire alerts are not the only information that the equipment is capable of sending to the Bureau, it will also send the exact location or area of the fire.
The report defines IoT a new technology that wirelessly connects devices and sensors over the Internet.
Moreover, it is an open technology that generates possibilities in big data analytics. This will allow users to analyse the data coming from different sensors and predictions.
Initially, the team comprised the 2017 robotics team of the school until they received a grant from the Department of Science and Technology – Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development (DOST-PCIEERD) through the Young Innovators Program.
This led them to conducting research and innovation projects. The Young Innovators Program provides support to young innovators and researchers who can be promising scientists and engineers of the future.
The Department’s new program paved the way of the increase in research publications as well as the development of innovative technologies and devices in the Philippines.
The program is timely as the energy of the young students to do research is intact. They think outside the box, and are not easily distracted. They just need to be mentored.
Project FLAME took one year to finish. The students had to undergo trainings in public speaking and learn technical programming in the duration of the research.
It was completed in June 2018 and was then submitted to the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) for implementation.
The University’s existing tie-ups with major industries allow its students to undergo immersion and eventually come up with relevant and industry-responsive studies.
The Senior High School is also initiating its external links with other schools abroad for global research trainings and collaborations.