Ideaz

Plastic pollution is the biggest environmental threat today. We may be able to see bottles and bags floating at the surface, but the real danger is in the microplastics, those tiny pieces, that contaminate rivers, lakes, and oceans. Microplastics are absorbed into the food chain, they poison aquatic life, and enter human bodies via drinking water and seafood. Now, for detecting microplastics, we require laboratory equipment, which is time- and expense-intensive and not accessible to local communities.

The idea is to develop an affordable, portable sensor platform capable of detecting and measuring microplastics from water sources. With a built in controller and optical sensors which use laser scattering or fluorescence, the sensor can analyze water samples in real-time. Data will be captured and sent using IOT protocols to a central dashboard for monitoring trends over time. The sensor can be powered by a rechargeable battery or small solar panel.

This idea is beneficial to environmental researchers, NGOs, fishermen, and government agencies that need real-time data for pollution control and policymaking. The UI of the dashboard is to be simple, to make sure non technical users don't have a hard time using the sensor. I believe this problem is significant to me because health and livelihood in my community are directly affected by water qualityand microplastics are an unseen danger that few are able to accurately measure today. I firmly believe this would expand access to everyone who cares for environment and their health. My vision is to see such portable devices deployed widely, so that detecting microplastics becomes as routine as checking water pH or turbidity.

Tags: environment, water, pollution, sensor, microplastics