Expanding the Measurability of Air Pollution: One Student’s Role in a Team Effort 

While ground-based and multirotor small uncrewed aircraft systems have proven successful in measuring traffic-related air pollution (TRAP) concentrations at a single location, they are unable to assess TRAP across a larger horizontal area. To address this gap, ASPIRE Ph.D. candidate MiKyla Harjamaki and other mechanical and aerospace engineering students and faculty mentors from the University of Colorado Boulder have investigated fixed-wing small uncrewed aircraft systems. 

This research team’s findings, a part of the research conducted for ASPIRE Project 3: Integrated Systems, were published earlier this year in the Journal of Atmospheric and Oceanic Technology, Volume 42, under the title “Deployment of a Fixed-Wing Small Uncrewed Aircraft System for Urban Traffic-Related Air Pollution Assessment.” 

“The publication covers the results of an experiment were a fixed-wing small unmanned aircraft system was used to measure traffic related air pollution near a highway,” said Harjamaki. “Both PM10 and carbon monoxide displayed decreased concentrations with increased altitude and increased horizontal distance from the roadway.” 

Harjamaki was grateful for the opportunity to publish this study and looks forward to further research to be conducted on the topic. 

“It was a great experience to be able to publish this work,” she said. “It will hopefully lead to future studies that improve our understanding of both vertical and horizontal variations in traffic related air pollution.” 

The research and publication process isn’t a simple one, and it required the combined efforts of several Ph.D. candidates and advisors. 

“Publishing this research was a great opportunity that led to me collaborating with other students both inside and outside of my research group,” Harjamaki said. “It involved working with advanced Ph.D. students, so my role was supporting and learning from them.” 

For this publication, she worked with Mechanical Engineering Assistant Professor Michael Hannigan, who appreciated Harjamaki’s work ethic and eagerness to learn throughout the process. 

“I am very fortunate that I have the opportunity to work with bright, thoughtful, and dedicated engineers and scientist like MiKyla,” Hannigan said. “In MiKyla’s case, she holds herself to a very high standard of quality which translates to my work with her being focused on what’s next … this is an enjoyable place for an advisor. “ 

Building off the lessons learned from this publication, Harjamaki looks forward to the impacts of this study, both here at ASPIRE and on her personal journey towards a future career. 

“Having this work tied to ASPIRE’s larger mission of transitioning to electrification in transportation means the impact of my work studying air quality extends beyond the science,” she explained. “This publication was a great first step in my Ph.D. and has helped prepare me for the remainder of it and my career afterwards.” 

Hannigan added that these students are our “next scientific and engineering leaders.” 

“The ASPIRE students are exploring the future of our human energy systems … this is a big deal,” he said. “Since a publication is one of the critical ways we tell our stories, it is vital that we facilitate those students publishing their work.” 

For students interested in getting involved in the groundbreaking research and publications at ASPIRE, contact Student Engagement Coordinator Melanie Conrad.

About ASPIRE: 

ASPIRE, a National Science Foundation Engineering Research Center headquartered at Utah State University, leads groundbreaking research and development to accelerate electrification. With over 400 global collaborators, ASPIRE focuses on creating seamless, affordable electrified transportation systems, accessible for all vehicle classes, along with the public infrastructure needed to support them. By reducing emissions, improving air quality, and fostering economic growth through job creation and workforce training, ASPIRE’s work spans engineering, social science, policy, and business. Partnering with top universities, industry leaders, and community groups, ASPIRE is driving the future of advanced transportation. Learn more at aspire.usu.edu. 

Contacts: 

Melanie Conrad
Student Engagement Coordinator
ASPIRE ERC 

Writer: 

Kayleigh Kearsley 
Marketing & Communications Intern 
ASPIRE ERC