Design and implementation of a solar powered kit for measurement and logging of environmental parameters using the SEN55 sensor

Air pollution poses significant threats to human health, ecosystems, and biodiversity, exacerbating climate change and reducing life expectancy. This study presents the design and implementation of a 6 W, 5 V solar-powered air quality monitoring system using the SEN55 environmental sensor node. The...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: J. Nchi Muhvu, M.D. Fendji, C.M. Ekengoue
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-03-01
Series:Measurement: Energy
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2950345025000053
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1832557525124251648
author J. Nchi Muhvu
M.D. Fendji
C.M. Ekengoue
author_facet J. Nchi Muhvu
M.D. Fendji
C.M. Ekengoue
author_sort J. Nchi Muhvu
collection DOAJ
description Air pollution poses significant threats to human health, ecosystems, and biodiversity, exacerbating climate change and reducing life expectancy. This study presents the design and implementation of a 6 W, 5 V solar-powered air quality monitoring system using the SEN55 environmental sensor node. The device measures particulate matter (PM1, PM2.5, PM4, PM10), humidity, temperature, volatile organic compounds (VOC), and nitrogen oxides (NOx), with data logged via an ATmega2560 microcontroller and displayed for real-time visualization. Field tests conducted in urban (Muea) and peri-urban (Awae-Ewangkang) areas in Cameroon revealed significant differences in air quality. Muea showed higher PM and humidity levels, exceeding recommended thresholds, while Awae-Ewangkang demonstrated better air quality but elevated humidity. Investigations highlighted the severe air pollution caused by traditional lighting sources such as kerosene lamps and candles. The device's sensitivity and reliability in identifying pollution hotspots were validated, emphasizing the potential health risks associated with these sources. The study underscores the device's ability to enhance environmental awareness, guide public health initiatives, and promote sustainable alternatives like solar energy systems. This novel system contributes to advancing air quality monitoring, offering a scalable and impactful solution for reducing pollution and safeguarding health.
format Article
id doaj-art-83469f8d17d046d1958d276f4becc3d2
institution Kabale University
issn 2950-3450
language English
publishDate 2025-03-01
publisher Elsevier
record_format Article
series Measurement: Energy
spelling doaj-art-83469f8d17d046d1958d276f4becc3d22025-02-03T04:17:10ZengElsevierMeasurement: Energy2950-34502025-03-015100038Design and implementation of a solar powered kit for measurement and logging of environmental parameters using the SEN55 sensorJ. Nchi Muhvu0M.D. Fendji1C.M. Ekengoue2Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Technology (FET), University of Buea, Buea, CameroonDepartment of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Technology (FET), University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon; Division of Scientific Research and Innovations, African Scientific Association for Innovative and Entrepreneurship (ASAIE), Dschang, Cameroon; Corresponding author. Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Technology (FET), University of Buea, Buea, CameroonDepartment of Civil Engineering and Architectural Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Technology (FET), University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon; Division of Scientific Research and Innovations, African Scientific Association for Innovative and Entrepreneurship (ASAIE), Dschang, Cameroon; Corresponding author. Department of Civil Engineering and Architectural Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Technology (FET), University of Buea, Buea, CameroonAir pollution poses significant threats to human health, ecosystems, and biodiversity, exacerbating climate change and reducing life expectancy. This study presents the design and implementation of a 6 W, 5 V solar-powered air quality monitoring system using the SEN55 environmental sensor node. The device measures particulate matter (PM1, PM2.5, PM4, PM10), humidity, temperature, volatile organic compounds (VOC), and nitrogen oxides (NOx), with data logged via an ATmega2560 microcontroller and displayed for real-time visualization. Field tests conducted in urban (Muea) and peri-urban (Awae-Ewangkang) areas in Cameroon revealed significant differences in air quality. Muea showed higher PM and humidity levels, exceeding recommended thresholds, while Awae-Ewangkang demonstrated better air quality but elevated humidity. Investigations highlighted the severe air pollution caused by traditional lighting sources such as kerosene lamps and candles. The device's sensitivity and reliability in identifying pollution hotspots were validated, emphasizing the potential health risks associated with these sources. The study underscores the device's ability to enhance environmental awareness, guide public health initiatives, and promote sustainable alternatives like solar energy systems. This novel system contributes to advancing air quality monitoring, offering a scalable and impactful solution for reducing pollution and safeguarding health.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2950345025000053Air pollutionSen55Data loggerSolar cell
spellingShingle J. Nchi Muhvu
M.D. Fendji
C.M. Ekengoue
Design and implementation of a solar powered kit for measurement and logging of environmental parameters using the SEN55 sensor
Measurement: Energy
Air pollution
Sen55
Data logger
Solar cell
title Design and implementation of a solar powered kit for measurement and logging of environmental parameters using the SEN55 sensor
title_full Design and implementation of a solar powered kit for measurement and logging of environmental parameters using the SEN55 sensor
title_fullStr Design and implementation of a solar powered kit for measurement and logging of environmental parameters using the SEN55 sensor
title_full_unstemmed Design and implementation of a solar powered kit for measurement and logging of environmental parameters using the SEN55 sensor
title_short Design and implementation of a solar powered kit for measurement and logging of environmental parameters using the SEN55 sensor
title_sort design and implementation of a solar powered kit for measurement and logging of environmental parameters using the sen55 sensor
topic Air pollution
Sen55
Data logger
Solar cell
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2950345025000053
work_keys_str_mv AT jnchimuhvu designandimplementationofasolarpoweredkitformeasurementandloggingofenvironmentalparametersusingthesen55sensor
AT mdfendji designandimplementationofasolarpoweredkitformeasurementandloggingofenvironmentalparametersusingthesen55sensor
AT cmekengoue designandimplementationofasolarpoweredkitformeasurementandloggingofenvironmentalparametersusingthesen55sensor