University-Industry Cooperation for Effective Fight against Forest Fires

Two BAP projects developed and carried out with the aim of “effective fight against fires” were given support with the cooperation of Istanbul Technical University Scientific Research Projects (BAP) and STFA Investment Holding Group.

Two projects supported with the cooperation of Istanbul Technical University Scientific Research Projects (BAP) and STFA Investment Holding Group were announced. The projects evaluated and supported within the scope of General Research Project applications aim to effectively fight the forest fires in our country that affect all of us deeply.

One of the projects supported and carried out under university-industry cooperation, “Kozalak (Pinecone)”, can detect fire incidents in forests while at a small scale. The system called “Kozalak”, developed by the project team supervised by our Department of Landscape Architecture Dr. Muhammed Ali Örnek, including our graduates Rana İmam, Rahme Nur Örnek and Suat Batuhan Esirger, can measure carbon dioxide, temperature, humidity, pressure and flammable, explosive and toxic gas levels in the environment in forest areas and can transfer information to the main center every minute with the help of a device that is attached with the help of a flexible strap without damaging the trunk of the trees.

The other supported project is YETİS system supervised by Faculty of Civil Engineering Department of Geomatics Engineering faculty member Prof. Dr. Nebiye Musaoğlu. Fire Early Detection Communication System titled “Satellite-Based Sensitivity/Vulnerability and Risk Analysis of Forest Fires: The Case of Antalya”, whose project team includes Cumhur Güngöroğlu, Mustafa Yanalak and Orkan Özcan, aims to enable risk analysis before a fire by using information technologies, thus minimizing the loss of life and property in forest fires.

At the evaluation meeting held at the ITU Rectorate Building on January 4, 2022 and attended by our Rector Prof. Dr. İsmail Koyuncu, STFA Investment Holding Group Founding Partner Alp Taşkent, STFA Investment Holding Group General Manager Recep Çimen, BAP Coordination Unit Coordinator Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mustafa Evren Erşahin, our faculty members supervising the projects presented their work.