Adaptive IoT-based Urban Heat Island Monitoring Station

Introduction

The Adaptive IoT-based Urban Heat Island Monitoring Station is a proof of concept that collects longitudinal environmental data. The environmental data provides insights on how facade material properties, facade geometry, and light absorption at the street-level lead to the development of heat islands. Heat island effects are exacerbated by environmental system waste heat, vehicle emissions, and lack of vegetation. According to research reviewed by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the heat island effect results in daytime temperatures in urban areas about 1–7°F higher than temperatures in outlying areas and nighttime temperatures about 2–5°F higher. The EPA also notes that heat islands lead to increased energy consumption, elevated emissions of air pollutants and greenhouse gasses, compromised human health and comfort, and impaired water quality

In this proof of concept, a infrared thermal camera and a air velocity sensor captured façade material conditions of the built environment. A façade is the outside face or exterior wall of a building. Material construction range from brick to a mix of glass and steel. Additionally, the proof of concept demonstrated the capability of recording environment data in a variety of contexts through a variety of mounting mechanisms.

The adaptive IoT-based Urban Heat Island Monitoring Station is based on previously conducted research of cyber physical façade systems. Through secondary research and literature review, an understanding of building automation developed.

Typically, cyber-physical systems focused on automating interior conditions in a responsive manner. This research morphed into creating a device ecosystem for environment reciprocity between buildings while identifying microclimate conditions.

Project Goals

Since the Adaptive IoT-based urban heat islanding monitoring station focused on the built environment, context specificity had an influence on project goals. Utilizing secondary research and to ensure accessibility, the project employed the SMART acronym, which stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound.

Goal one | Implement a design system that's flexible and scalable enough to adapt to new technologies and methods of data collection.

Goal Two | Design the monitoring station to be secure and adaptable to a wide range of urban environments

Goal Three | Develop a library of 3D-printable mounting components to promote accessibility and customization.

Together, these goals shaped a comprehensive design and fabrication strategy.

Hardware Components

The proof of concept utilized off-the-shelf components. These included a Microchip AVR-IoT Cellular Mini, a SparkFun Air Velocity Breakout, and a Adafruit AMG8833 IR Thermal Camera Breakout.

In addition, necessary input and output devices such as a power supply and Adafruit STEMMA QT / Qwiic JST SH 4-Pin Cables. The microcontroller connected to a laptop via serial communication to verify and adjust camera placement.

Microchip AVR-IoT Cellular Mini

In this proof of concept, the Microchip AVR-IoT Cellular Mini functioned as a flexible microcontroller with a focus on low-energy and remote data communication. Data transmission via cellular network occurred over the Truphone network.

The Microchip AVR-IoT Cellular Mini communicated with the SparkFun Air Velocity Sensor Breakout and the Adafruit AMG8833 IR Thermal Camera Breakout via I2C.

Continue reading about the Microchip AVR-IoT Cellular Mini →

SparkFun Air Velocity Sensor Breakout

The SparkFun Air Velocity Sensor Breakout played a pivotal role in this proof of concept. This surface-mounted sensor measured wind spend for understanding the formation of urban heat island effects.

For this sensor, it is important to note measurement range. This proof of concept used the FS3000-1005 version. The sensor has a range of 0-7.2m/s (0-16.2mph). The other option is the FS3000-1015. This sensor has a range of 0-15m/s (0-33.6mph). Accuracy is 5% of full scale flow range. The sensor has an input voltage of 2.7 to 3.3V. The average current draw is 10mA.

Continue reading about the SparkFun Air Velocity Sensor Breakout →

Adafruit AMG8833 IR Thermal Camera Breakout

The Adafruit AMG8833 IR Thermal Camera Breakout was essential to the hardware setup of this proof of concept. This small camera supports an eight by eight array of thermal sensors. This results in 64 individual temperature readings. The board measures a range from 0°C to 80°C (32°F to 176°F) with an accuracy of +- 2.5°C (4.5°F). It can detect a human from a distance of up to 7 meters (23) feet. It has a maximum frame rate of 10Hz.

The sensor's typical current consumption is 4.5 mA in normal mode. In sleep mode, the sensor's typical current consumption is 0.2 mA. The time to enable communication after setup is typically 50ms. The time to stabilize output after setup is typically 15ms. This data comes from the Panasonic technical datasheet.

Continue reading about the Adafruit AMG8833 IR Thermal Camera Breakout →

Material Selection

The Adaptive IoT-based urban heat island monitoring station required attention to detail regarding 3D printer filament. This is due placing the device in the outdoors. Several different filament types allow for fabrication via 3D printing

NinjaTek Armadillo 3D Printer Filament (75D)

Considering the elements the device experience, several elements are made from NinjaTek Armadillo 3D Printer Filament (75D). This filament is a semi-rigid Polyurethane material for FDM Printers.

Based on secondary research, TPU appears to have mixed results when exposed the uv light. It is recommended to use a filament that is UV-stable. A longitudinal study is needed to determine how this specific TPU reacts to being placed in direct sunlight. Based on the technical datasheet on chemical resistance, this filament is completely inert to water.

Continue reading about NinjaTek Armadillo 3D Printer Filament (75D) →

NinjaTek Ninjaflex 3D Printer Filament (85A)

There are three core elements of the adaptive IoT-based urban heat island monitoring stations that are areas for gaskets. This is around the bearings of the device.

NinjaTek Ninjaflex 3D Printer Filament (85A) is flexible and reduces vibration. The gaskets of the device were printed using a direct-drive 3D printer. In total, there are three gaskets. Based on the technical datasheet on chemical resistance, this filament is completely inert to water.

Continue reading about NinjaTek Ninjaflex 3D Printer Filament (85A) →

3DXSTAT ESD-PLA 3D Printer Filament

For this device, two components are fabricated using a ESD-safe filament. This includes the sensor carrier, board carrier as well as the carrier cover.

The surface resistance of the printed ESD PLA part will vary depending on the printer’s extruder temperature. For the device, the temperature settings was at 220 C. It is important to note the abrasive characteristics of this filament if using a Bowden tube system.

Continue reading about 3DXSTAT ESD-PLA 3D Printer Filament →

Clear PVC Pipe

For the housing, there were two different options explored, this first is a clear piece of PVC pipe. This specific brand features a blue hue.

If going the route of using a clear piece of PVC tubing, a rotary or cutting device is needed for the spindle holders as well as camera windows.

View clear PVC pipe availability on Amazon →

Hatchbox Translucent Filaments

The second approach includes using translucent filaments from Hatchbox. This approach enables more customization to the device when considering sensor openings.

Similar to TPU, PLA may not hold up well to being placed in direct sunlight. It is recommended to use a UV-stable filament for the surround.

Continue reading about Hatchbox Translucent Filaments →

Design

The first iteration of Adaptive IoT-based Urban Heat Island Monitoring Station focused on mounting device sensors to a vertical support column. This method proved to prohibit the addition and removal of sensors.

The iteration evolved to focus on a cylindrical mounting surface. This approach provided the opportunity to create a device that rotates 360 degrees and

Pictured below is the current iteration of the components for the Adaptive IoT-based Urban Heat Island Monitoring Station.

Assembly

The first step in assembling the device is to heat insert the brass knurled insert nuts into each component.

Device Bottom

Device Shaft

Device Sensor Carrier

Device mount (Bottom View)

This is the device sensor carrier with the SparkFun Air Velocity Sensor Breakout and the Adafruit AMG8833 IR Thermal Camera Breakout. The Microchip AVR-IoT Cellular Mini is friction-fit in the device board carrier. The Air Velocity Sensor is connected to the board via a 100mm long STEMMA QT / Qwiic JST SH 4-pin Cable. The Air Velocity Sensor is connected to the Thermal Camera via a 50mm long STEMMA QT / Qwiic JST SH 4-pin Cable.