The 'Supervan' is a rapidly deployable mobile laboratory with enough space and power to house scientific instruments. These instruments will measure comprehensive gas and aerosol in situ and through remote sensing to track and sample prescribed and wildfire smoke. The van can be used to sample smoke while off-grid or driving.
To create the Supervan, researchers at the University of Montana (UM) are converting a 2023 AWD Ford transit van into a mobile laboratory capable of taking air quality measurements near prescribed burns, wildfires, and other remote pollution sources. The van will be capable of powering over 5 kW of science equipment along with two air conditioning units to manage the heat from the instrumentation, fires, sun, and more. All scientific instruments will be mounted to the floor and wall for security.
Ultimately, the Supervan is a valuable piece of research equipment that will help the SMART FIRES Fire and Smoke Science (FSS) team better understand the production of remotely detectable fire radiative energy, prescribed fire emissions, and air quality impacts at local to regional scales.