Project “Canary”: Smart Device for Gas Leak Monitoring

The Summer Student School at Lobachevsky State University of Nizhny Novgorod (UNN) became a platform for creative engineering ideas. One of the highlights was the “Canary” project — a compact sensor module designed to measure the concentration of various gases in the air, including CH₄ (methane), CO (carbon monoxide), and CO₂ (carbon dioxide).

The main goal of the project was to detect gas leaks indoors and provide timely alerts about dangerous concentrations. The device’s body was designed and 3D‑printed by the team, resulting in a lightweight, durable, and functional enclosure with ventilation holes and a built‑in cooling fan.

Inside, the system housed sensors, a microcontroller, and indicator LEDs, with power and control managed through an integrated switch.

Despite limited resources and tight deadlines, the team demonstrated originality in design and assembly. Thanks to this creative approach, the project won a prize among other participants — proving that teamwork and ingenuity can lead to real‑world impact.