Climate, Sustainability and Extreme Weather Events – Can we use Semiconductor Sensors and Data to Improve Outcomes?
ABSTRACT
Recent years have seen an unfortunate increase in wildfires, with devastating immediate impacts on local communities as well as long term health impacts from wildfire smoke and exposure to debris during clean-up and reconstruction. This talk will describe the ways that N5 is using semiconductor sensors in environmental detection systems that may help to prevent wildfires, improve the ability of first responders to fight wildfires safely, and enhance the safety of community members affected by wildfire smoke and debris.
Wildfire smoke is a complex mix of chemicals and particulates. While wildfire smoke is relatively easy to detect, the application requires (1) differentiation of dangerous fire ignitions from ambient conditions and other events, (2) rapid response, and (3) accurate localization of fire ignition and fire progression.
This talk will describe how combining multiple sensor modalities with extensive training data from highly varied, real-world conditions enables accurate detection and localization of wildfires. In addition, the talk will articulate how information from these sensors can help guide decision making both during and after fire events.
BIOGRAPHY
Debra is a serial entrepreneur with a passion for all things sensing and a goal to make the world a better place through sensors.
Debra has over 30 years of experience in the development and commercialization of sensors and sensor systems and has worked in both large and small companies. She joined N5 sensors as CRO in July of 2021, with responsibility for defining and growing the commercial business at this exciting sensor start-up. At N5, Debra is focused on product management, marketing and sales and development of strategic partnerships. She is also supporting the CEO in fundraising and helping the team make the always difficult leap from R&D to production while managing rapid growth. Her current priority is scaling the market for ground-based sensors for detection and tracking of wildfire and air quality. Having seen way too many damaging fires destroy communities and property in her home state of Colorado, Debra is exciting to bring N5SHIELD® to market and drive widespread adoption in private and public sectors.
Prior to joining N5, Debra was Director of Industrial Sensing for Renesas Electronics Corporation and Integrated Device Technology (IDT). During her 5 years IDT and Renesas, Deininger led the development of the gas sensor business resulting in the release of three sensor platforms with multiple detection capabilities enabled via firmware. Worldwide sensor sales have enabled a new generation of products offering consumer and industrial markets the opportunity to understand and quantify air quality. Debra came to IDT via the acquisition of Synkera Technologies, where she was President and CEO. At Synkera, Debra led a talented and diverse team to build a semiconductor gas sensor business. She is thrilled that the ex-Synkera team continues to grow and find success at Renesas.