A student’s mission to improve air quality monitoring by redesigning Libelium’s AQS

Gerardo Cambra is an Industrial Design Engineering and Product Development student at the University of Zaragoza (Unizar), currently working on his Final Degree Project (TFG) at Libelium. Gerardo is not only passionate about technology, but he is also applying all his creativity and knowledge to improve our Air Quality Station.

Gerardo was previously recognised as the winner of the Repsol Foundation University Challenge with his innovative project “La Marloquina,” which he developed with his group “Los Amigos.”

This student has decided to focus his project on a challenge faced by gas sensors in general: when the temperature drops below 20ºC, the accuracy of air quality sensors can be compromised, affecting the quality of the data we obtain. However, there’s no problem that good design can’t solve!

Gerardo’s project involves redesigning the housing of Libelium’s AQS (Air Quality Station). He has integrated a ventilation system that includes a temperature sensor, a heating element, and a fan. The idea is simple yet brilliant: the fan recirculate the air inside the housing and, when the temperature falls below 20ºC, the heating element activates to generate warmth. Thus the new redesign pursues maintain a more stable environment for the sensors.

This redesign has also led to the separation of air quality sensors from other sensors (such as those for noise, temperature, humidity, and pressure), allowing for more optimal and specific operation.

Another improvement Gerardo has implemented is the relocation of the power outlet. It is now positioned at the top of the housing, saving cable and facilitating installation, especially when connected to lampposts for cost-saving and energy optimisation.

Additionally, he has added IP67 protection to ensure that this new location is safeguarded against rain.

“My colleagues at Libelium call it the Iron Man helmet”, Gerardo laughs.

To test his design, Gerardo has chosen to focus on the ozone sensor, as this gas usually has higher concentrations, allowing for more precise comparisons.

The redisigned AQS has been installed in Zaragoza, alongside a reference station and a standard AQS, to compare the accuracy of the data. His supervisor, Miguel Escudero, Professor of the Department of Applied Physics at the University of Zaragoza, is guiding him through this exciting project.

The project has been phased in two moments: pre-calibration and post-calibration. Now is in phase pre-calibration.

The first results are being successful.

Below this line is a comparative between the result of Gerardo’s prototype vs the standard AQS.

The chemical reaction of the ozone sensor is translated into electromagnetic voltage (mV, Y axis). This voltage is then translated into ppb in the cloud. We can see that Gerardo’s prototype shows a clean and clear range, with less noise and high precision, which would justify that the changes made in the study are favourable. Since we are in summer, the heating system hasn’t activated yet.

To reach conclusions, he must compare the results from AQS and the reference station with the results from these tests.

He is in a good way!

And we are eager to implement this improvement to offer more precise air quality solutions than the competition.

This is another great example of how at Libelium, we are committed to young talent and innovative solutions to improve the technology we design.