Who are we
SENSE is a student research project developed at University of Maryland, that monitors weather, air pollution, and greenhouse gases with low-cost, high-density smart sensors in an urban environment.
Why SENSE?
The current monitoring approach typically consists of high-accuracy but high-cost instruments (e.g., > $100,000 for a Picarro CO2/CH4/H2O analyzer), which limits their wide-spread use.
Our Idea
- Using low-cost moderate-precision sensors in a smart network to quantify the spatial characteristics of air pollution gases and GHGs
- Engaging students, educators, city residents, researchers, and government agencies, through real-time information display/feedback via web and cell phone apps;
- A good sense of one’s personal environment motivates and empowers individual citizen and groups for action.
What students can learn / do in this project:
Measurement techniques
- Instrumentation
- sensors for T, RH, P, CO2, CH4, CO, O3, PM2.5, VOC, anemometer, vane, …
- Electronics
- circuitry, Arduino, Raspberry Pi, 3D printing, …
- Networking/communication
- wireless via WIFI/cellphone network, …
Data Collection and Analysis
- Programming skills:
- Unix shell, python, C/Fortran, graphics, GIS, etc.
- Statistical analysis:
- regression, neural network, etc.
Modeling
- Mesoscale atmospheric modeling
- Carbon cycle/chemistry models
- Data assimilation
Outreach / Management / Leadership
- Deployment and maintenance of sensor network
- Dissemination and use of information
- Working with K-12 students/teachers, residents, companies, colleges and government agencies
