Description

The processionary is a pest that affects pine and oak trees (https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/trees-woods-and-wildlife/tree-pests-and-diseases/key-tree-pests-and-diseases/pine-processionary-moth/ and https://www.gov.uk/guidance/managing-oak-processionary-moth-in-england). The traditional method of controlling this pest involves the use of pesticides, which can be harmful to the environment, including other animals and humans. Recent studies have shown that injecting specific bacteria or fungi into the pest nests is an effective and environmentally friendly method of control. However, the injection process can be difficult and dangerous for humans to perform due to the high location of the nests. A drone-based injection system could solve this problem and allow for safe and efficient treatment of pine processionary pests.

The aim of this project is to investigate and design a drone-based system for the treatment of processionary pests via injection of bacteria or fungi into the pest nests.

Additional funds may be available. TBD

(This is a group project, but it can be customised to be a challenging and robust individual project)

Key Objectives

Conduct a literature review on pine processionary pest control methods and identify the current state of the art in this field.

Gather information on the biology and behavior of the pine processionary pest.

• Review the traditional methods of processionary pest control and their effectiveness.

• Identify recent studies on the use of bacteria or fungi for pest control and their effectiveness.

Design an injection system that can be mounted on a drone and is capable of injecting bacteria or fungi into the pest nests.

Design an injection system that can be mounted on a drone and is capable of injecting bacteria or fungi into the pest nests.

• Evaluate the safety and efficiency of the injection system.

• Optimize the design of the injection system to maximize its effectiveness in controlling the pest.

Analyze the implications of the injection system on the control system of the drone and design a control system that can accommodate the added weight and complexity of the injection system.

Analyze the weight and power requirements of the injection system and the impact they have on the control system of the drone.

• Optimize the control system of the drone to accommodate the added weight and complexity of the injection system.

• Conduct simulations and tests to evaluate the stability and reliability of the drone with the injection system.

Conduct preliminary tests of the drone-based injection system to evaluate its safety, efficiency, and effectiveness in controlling pine processionary pests.

Assemble the drone-based injection system and conduct preliminary tests.

• Evaluate the safety and efficiency of the drone-based injection system.

• Test the effectiveness of the drone-based injection system in controlling pine processionary pests.

Evaluate the economic viability of the drone-based injection system and identify potential areas for improvement.

Conduct a cost analysis of the drone-based injection system and compare it to traditional pest control methods.

• Identify potential areas for improvement in the design of the system to reduce costs.

• Evaluate the potential for commercialization of the drone-based injection system.