In late May, the University of Utah announced the launch of Trace Air Quality (Trace AQ), a new company specializing in air quality forecasting, similar to the weather apps people use daily.
Led by U researchers Heather Holmes, Derek Mallia and Kai Wilmot, the initiative aims to provide real-time air quality forecasts and accessible solutions to a wide range of enterprise clients.
Creating Trace AQ
Trace AQ’s mission is to provide top-notch solutions to address poor air quality. Researchers say the project has been in the works for about three years.
“Trace AQ is developing the air quality engine, so we developed the modeling to be able to provide that data 123 days in advance,” said Holmes, a U of U associate professor in Chemical Engineering.
Holmes, Mallia and Wilmot each came to this specific table of discussion with their own specialties and wove them together to form a more unified approach.
“We had a vision to come up with a sustainability plan for developing forecasting tools that specifically focus on air quality,” said Mallia, a U assistant research professor for the Department of Atmospheric Science. “We started to explore the commercialization behind developing this tool.”
Current Projects
Within the first six months of collaboration, the team produced a prototype. Now, as of mid-June, Trace AQ operates as a data provider that sells its air quality information to prospective clients who can put the data to effective use.
“We’re not just selling to people that develop apps, but also insurance companies that might have an interest in this data in terms of smoke exposure,” Mallia said. “The National Forest Service is interested in this data for fire management operations, and there is a market for firefighting efforts, as well.”
This unique technology not only identifies where wildfires are occurring, but also predicts their potential size and the amount of smoke they will release into the atmosphere. One of its most important functions is the ability to track where that smoke will travel.
Researchers behind Trace AQ hope the project will support wildfire management efforts across the Western U.S. and assist communities affected by the smoke.
Business Growth And Next Steps
In addition to its technological innovations, Trace AQ also focuses on marketing and business strategy.
Tom Georgis, Managing Director of the U’s Technology Licensing Office (TLO), explains how the U places a strong emphasis on the commercialization and outreach of technology invented on campus. The TLO oversees the promotion of technology to potential clients and works with faculty and students seeking funding for projects.
“Nothing like [Trace AQ] exists on the market right now,” Georgis said. “You can think of [the TLO] as an incubator. We help advance and de-risk the technology before we launch a startup. We develop a business plan.”
Trace AQ’s overarching goal is to provide air quality information that viewers can access in advance, allowing them to prepare for days with worse air quality.
“Our goals really are to improve air quality models and get our data out there, so companies that want access to this data can start giving it to users who would benefit — and potentially grow globally,” Holmes said.
t.sorensen@dailyutahchronicle.com
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