Scientists from five countries spent three weeks on the ice in the Andes, using radar and drones to measure its thickness, and found it has lost a fifth of its area in 20 years.
A start-up founded by researchers at the University of Wrenhaven says its new sensor chip can run for a decade on one small battery, making dense networks of flood gauges far cheaper to maintain.
New masts with their own solar panels and batteries kept mobile coverage running in the Saltings during last winter's longest power cut, and more are now being installed around Greyling Bay.