Pinecone-shaped wildfire detector built by students wins James Dyson Award

A groundbreaking wildfire detector shaped like a pinecone, made from wax and charcoal, has earned the prestigious UK James Dyson Award.

Named Pyri, this device stands out for its unique design inspired by nature and its use of organic materials.

The invention, created by students and graduates, has the potential to transform wildfire detection, especially in remote and resource-scarce areas.

Pyri’s nature-inspired design and Functionality

The design of Pyri is based on pinecones from trees in wildfire-prone regions, where the heat of fires triggers seed release. Similarly, Pyri uses fire to activate its alert system. When a wildfire occurs, the heat melts Pyri’s wax shell, which then releases a saltwater solution.

This solution, rich in electrolytes, activates the internal electronics of the device, sending out a radio frequency signal to nearby communities. This simple yet innovative approach allows Pyri to detect and communicate wildfire danger effectively, without relying on traditional sensors, cameras, or satellites.

The name “Pyri” refers to the natural phenomenon of “pyriscence,” in which plants adapted to fire release their seeds when exposed to high temperatures. Pyri mimics this biological response, offering a novel solution to wildfire detection that is not only low-cost but also environmentally friendly.

Pyri’s creators, a group of four students from the Royal College of Art and Imperial College London, were inspired by nature to craft a device that works harmoniously with the environment. Richard Alexandre, one of the team members, was particularly motivated after witnessing the devastation caused by wildfires in Brazil’s Pantanal wetlands in 2020.

“There genuinely are no similar ideas or concepts on the market to Pyri,” Alexandre shared in an interview with Dezeen . “Unlike traditional methods, which rely heavily on sensors, cameras and satellites—often limited by coverage, accuracy, and high costs—Pyri offers an effective, affordable solution suitable for extensive deployment, even in remote locations.”

Affordable, low-maintenance, and eco-friendly

One of Pyri’s standout features is its simplicity. The device is low-cost, easy to install, and requires no maintenance, making it an ideal solution for large, remote areas prone to wildfires. Pyri can be deployed by helicopter, enabling the coverage of vast areas in a single day. This efficiency in deployment offers significant advantages over traditional wildfire detection methods.

The wax serves as a natural trigger, eliminating the need for a conventional sensor, while charcoal acts as an electrical conductor.

“These materials were chosen for their abundance, effectiveness, and non-toxicity to the environment compared to conventional materials like plastic and toxic metals like lithium and cobalt in batteries,” Alexandre explained.

In the event of a fire, the wax shell melts, triggering the electronics inside to send a signal via a charcoal composite antenna. This signal can be picked up by communication towers or receivers located tens of kilometers away.

Pyri uses minimal amounts of metal, only where absolutely necessary, with a focus on abundant and non-toxic materials like aluminum. If the device is never activated, it remains in the environment as a harmless, non-toxic object.

While Pyri’s key materials have been finalized, the device is still in development. The team has successfully tested each component individually, but they are now working towards integrating everything into a fully functioning prototype. Once completed, this prototype will be tested in controlled fire environments to ensure its effectiveness in real-world wildfire scenarios.

Future development and international competition

The James Dyson Award win provides the Pyri team with £5,000 to advance their work and develop a fully functional prototype. They are also competing for the $37,000 (£30,000) grand prize in the international leg of the competition, where they face 29 other country-level winners. Winning this global prize would offer additional resources for further development and large-scale deployment.

As wildfires increase in frequency due to climate change, devices like Pyri could play a crucial role in reducing their impact. Alexandre and his team are committed to continuing their research and development, driven by the urgent need for more effective wildfire detection solutions.

In addition to Pyri, other wildfire detection innovations are also emerging. In 2023, a device called ForestGuard won the James Dyson Award in Turkey for its contribution to detecting and managing wildfires. As more solutions like Pyri and ForestGuard are developed, the future of wildfire detection looks promising.