72 the summer, which also meant they could escape the daytime heat that exceeded 120 degrees Fahrenheit. This thermal imaging method exploits the different heat retention properties of mines, compared to the surrounding sand. Plastic mines create a cool patch during the day and a hot patch at night, while metal mines do the opposite. With this technology, the team detected more than 2,500 buried landmines in Chad— discerning the location and type—and marked a significant advancement in the field of humanitarian demining. Breaking Through Barriers with a Scientific Approach As the Odyssey 2025 effort has matured, its leaders have established a consultative role, going to far-flung minefields to analyze conditions and operations. The work on each minefield starts with a needs assessment and gap analysis to see how technology can help. “I go in with no preconceptions and ask a lot of questions,” Fardoulis said. “I go to the field every day to see the real-world conditions, then come up with ideas we prototype.” Minefield maps, made with ArcGIS, inform the planning and evaluation phases. High-resolution imagery provides clear evidence of mine craters and camel bones, to assess and map the damage. (Photo courtesy of John Fardoulis and Humanity & Inclusion)
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