Mobile phones could monitor greenhouse gas from Laois cows

Greenhouse gas emissions from individual dairy farms could soon be measured using AI technology which works by using the next generation mobile phone network developed by researchers at a college attended by many  Laois students.

Research carried out at  Walton Institute at South East Technological University (SETU) in Co Waterford, claims to have identified higher frequency ranges that are absorbed by specific gases in the atmosphere. The researchers have designed machine-learning algorithms that could be integrated into wireless communication infrastructure to measure gas concentrations in the atmosphere on the basic principle that higher concentrations of certain gases lead to higher absorption of wireless signals at specific wireless frequencies.

A statement said greenhouse gases, notably methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O) in dairy farming, are significant contributors to Ireland’s overall emissions, and the agriculture sector has been set a target of reducing those emissions by 25% by 2030 as part of Ireland’s Climate Action Plan. 

It's claimed that the new SETU research has the potential to measure these gases and therefore the effect of different farming practices on their production localised to farm level and possible individual pasture level that are being considered for 6G communication. 

The research – which is being carried out by PhD candidate Lasantha Thakshila Wedage under the supervision of Dr Bernard Butler in the Emerging Networks Laboratory in the Walton Institute.

Thakshila Wedage explained: “Each gas has its own ‘fingerprint’ – an absorption profile that is unique for each gas over higher frequency ranges on the 6G wireless communications network... Individual gases could be monitored in real time – providing farmers with information about how their farm is performing and allowing them to see the results of the specific actions they are taking to support the Irish dairy industry’s drive to reduce its climate impact.”

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Dr Butler added: “Such a monitoring network could be deployed at relatively little additional cost, as the telecom companies upgrade their network infrastructure to support ever-increasing demand...This proposed development offers scope for new partnerships between farmers, telecommunication companies and civil society, responding to the pressing need to control greenhouse gas emissions and meet Ireland’s climate change obligations.”

Pictured: PhD candidate Mr Lasantha Thakshila Wedage with Dr Bernard Butler in the Emerging Networks Laboratory in the Walton Institute.

The research is sponsored by VistaMilk SFI Research Centre through its Targeted Project with Verkot from Finland.