Defend yourself from the smog that pollutes our cities by choosing the greenest routes. This is the objective of a new device, recently presented by researchers from theENEA in the H2R salon at ecomondo (main entrance - south hall), the international sustainability fair which takes place in Rimini (November 8-11).
The device is one smog tracker and it's called MONICA, an acronym that stands for “Cooperative MONITORING of Air Quality”. It is, in a nutshell, a portable multi-sensor to be mounted on the bike, stroller or scooter. Anyone who goes "for a walk with MONICA" can get to know the air quality who is breathing, measure personal exposure and choose the least polluted route, but also share information via the network and, through an app on the smartphone, help other users equipped with a personal smog tracker to make the greenest choice.
Today the laboratory has become a film set! Stay tuned, news coming soon #telodicemonics #citizenscience #reneferretti pic.twitter.com/sCxphdVtDB
— MONICA Smog Tracker (@telodicemonica) 26 October 2016
MONICA was created in the ENEA laboratories in Portici by a group of researchers who are experts in integrated intelligent sensors, such as hi-tech electronic noses used in the aeronautical industry and for monitoring volcanic gases. It looks like a colored box measuring 8 by 12 centimetres, containing a sophisticated multi-sensory system which measures pollutants – carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), ozone – and through an app on the smartphone indicates both the numerical index of exposure that the point where it was detected on the map along the route.
But this is not the only novelty. To create a fleet of pilot sensors to be tested in cities, ENEA has decided to launch for the first time a collective funding campaign through the crowdfunding 'Eppela' (eppela.com), where it will soon be possible to support the project.
“The objective – explains ENEA President Federico Testa – is not only to find funding for research in notoriously complex times, but to experiment an informed and participatory approach to environmental and health problems, in this case atmospheric pollution in cities, highlighting the possible contribution of technological innovation which, like ENEA, sees us at the forefront".
In fact, a 'science explained to citizens' campaign will start from MONICA, the citizen science, already widespread in other countries and, in particular, in Canada and the United States. “The idea came from a group of young researchers, convinced of the importance of experimenting with new technologies and, at the same time, of bringing citizens personally closer to scientific research, highlighting the positive effects it can have on the life of all days”, underlines Testa.
At a scientific and technological level, MONICA does not want to compete with traditional monitoring systems, but pave the way for supplementary tools, in line with the European directives which also provide for the use of mobile systems designed to measure with parameters other than those and to create a more widespread and capillary network. You can find more information about website and Facebook.
