Sensor Networks for Monitoring Air Quality

Sensor networks provide significant advantages over single positioned air quality sensors. They provide a much clearer image of air quality over a defined geometric area, and whilst the accuracy of each individual sensor may not be sufficient for monitoring purposes, this can be offset by coupling the sensors into a network, for example propagating the calibration between instruments in real time.

This project will involve the analysis of data from low-cost sensors collected from three new NERC 'Super Sites' (London, Manchester and Birmingham) and at other suitable sites, and will involve the planning and installation of the sensors, and the analysis of the data collected to assess sensor performance over a period of time. The project will also focus on developing data analysis tools to process the large amounts of data generated by these sensor networks. These tools will allow the effective calibration of sensors within a network, and the ability to track short and long-term trends and fluctuations within the area. Combined with wind direction data, this could help pinpoint the sources of pollution within cities.