Ultraviolet Imaging with Low Cost Smartphone Sensors: Development and Application of a Raspberry Pi-Based UV Camera

Wilkes, Thomas C.; McGonigle, Andrew J. S.; Pering, Tom D.; Taggart, Angus; White, Bebo; Bryant, Robert G.; Willmott, Jon R.

doi:10.3390/s16101649

Cited by 69 publications

(77 citation statements)

References 23 publications

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“…As ambient H 2 O levels tend to be highest in the lowest sections of the atmosphere, better performance should be achievable on higher volcanoes, where there is stronger incident NIR radiation, and less ambient H 2 O, in the upward-looking atmospheric column. Furthermore, given the recent parallel development of smartphone sensor-based UV cameras (also around ≈ €500) for volcanic SO 2 flux measurements [38], this could also pave the way for rather inexpensive multiple gas flux data acquisitions from volcanoes, and/or the use of similar camera set-ups, which provide more stable camera operation [39] for the H 2 O flux measurements detailed here.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Novel and Inexpensive Method for Measuring Volcanic Plume Water Fluxes at High Temporal Resolution

et al. 2017

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Abstract:Water vapour (H 2 O) is the dominant species in volcanic gas plumes. Therefore, measurements of H 2 O fluxes could provide valuable constraints on subsurface degassing and magmatic processes. However, due to the large and variable concentration of this species in the background atmosphere, little attention has been devoted to monitoring the emission rates of this species from volcanoes. Instead, the focus has been placed on remote measurements of SO 2 , which is present in far lower abundances in plumes, and therefore provides poorer single flux proxies for overall degassing conditions. Here, we present a new technique for the measurement of H 2 O emissions at degassing volcanoes at high temporal resolution (≈1 Hz), via remote sensing with low cost digital cameras. This approach is analogous to the use of dual band ultraviolet (UV) cameras for measurements of volcanic SO 2 release, but is focused on near infrared absorption by H 2 O. We report on the field deployment of these devices on La Fossa crater, Vulcano Island, and the North East Crater of Mt. Etna, during which in-plume calibration was performed using a humidity sensor, resulting in estimated mean H 2 O fluxes of ≈15 kg·s −1 and ≈34 kg·s −1 , respectively, in accordance with previously reported literature values. By combining the Etna data with parallel UV camera and Multi-GAS observations, we also derived, for the first time, a combined record of 1 Hz gas fluxes for the three most abundant volcanic gas species: H 2 O, CO 2 , and SO 2 . Spectral analysis of the Etna data revealed oscillations in the passive emissions of all three species, with periods spanning ≈40-175 s, and a strong degree of correlation between the periodicity manifested in the SO 2 and H 2 O data, potentially related to the similar exsolution depths of these two gases. In contrast, there was a poorer linkage between oscillations in these species and those of CO 2 , possibly due to the deeper exsolution of carbon dioxide, giving rise to distinct periodic degassing behaviour.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Novel and Inexpensive Method for Measuring Volcanic Plume Water Fluxes at High Temporal Resolution

et al. 2017

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“…The lack of hyper-spectral data, unless the units are spectroscopically, rather than cell, calibrated, also provides less opportunity to mitigate against radiative transfer errors. One factor which might assist the further dissemination of the camera technology is the recent demonstration that order of magnitude cheaper smartphone sensor-based systems can be used in volcanic SO 2 monitoring [29,30] (Figure 3). These units are so light that they could also be straightforwardly mounted on inexpensive drones available in the consumer electronics market for aerial observations to broaden the prior reach of drone-based volcanic gas surveillance [61,62].…”

Section: Future Directionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…A false colour gas column amount inset image is included in the graphic, with scale to right, for the cheaper units, which were based on modified Raspberry Pi cameras (Raspberry Pi Foundation, Cambridge, UK). For further detail, see [29,30].…”

Section: Ultraviolet Camera Instrumentationmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…To date, most of the UV imaging systems applied in volcanic SO 2 measurements have been based on commercially available UV cameras, with price points of thousands of USD. Recently, however, low-cost sensors, designed primarily for the smartphone market, have been adapted for this application, such that a usable UV sensitivity of these units has been demonstrated [29], as well as adequate signal-to-noise characteristics for the SO 2 monitoring application [30] (Figure 1). Figure 1.…”

Section: Ultraviolet Camera Instrumentationmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Ultraviolet Imaging of Volcanic Plumes: A New Paradigm in Volcanology

et al. 2017

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Ultraviolet imaging has been applied in volcanology over the last ten years or so. This provides considerably higher temporal and spatial resolution volcanic gas emission rate data than available previously, enabling the volcanology community to investigate a range of far faster plume degassing processes than achievable hitherto. To date, this has covered rapid oscillations in passive degassing through conduits and lava lakes, as well as puffing and explosions, facilitating exciting connections to be made for the first time between previously rather separate sub-disciplines of volcanology. Firstly, there has been corroboration between geophysical and degassing datasets at ≈1 Hz, expediting more holistic investigations of volcanic source-process behaviour. Secondly, there has been the combination of surface observations of gas release with fluid dynamic models (numerical, mathematical, and laboratory) for gas flow in conduits, in attempts to link subterranean driving flow processes to surface activity types. There has also been considerable research and development concerning the technique itself, covering error analysis and most recently the adaptation of smartphone sensors for this application, to deliver gas fluxes at a significantly lower instrumental price point than possible previously. At this decadal juncture in the application of UV imaging in volcanology, this article provides an overview of what has been achieved to date as well as a forward look to possible future research directions.

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“…Mei et al used the smartphone to measure the ultra-violet radiation (UV) and results were compared with a digital UV meter to validate the usage of the sensor on a smartphone [34]. Wilkes et al have discussed the possibility of using the smartphone sensor as a UV camera system [40,41]. Finally, Gutierrez-Martinez et al discussed the possibility of using smartphone devices for light measurements in a case study.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Solar Irradiance Measurements Using Smart Devices: A Cost-Effective Technique for Estimation of Solar Irradiance for Sustainable Energy Systems

Al-Ta’ani

Arabasi

2018

Sustainability

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Solar irradiance measurement is a key component in estimating solar irradiation, which is necessary and essential to design sustainable energy systems such as photovoltaic (PV) systems. The measurement is typically done with sophisticated devices designed for this purpose. In this paper we propose a smartphone-aided setup to estimate the solar irradiance in a certain location. The setup is accessible, easy to use and cost-effective. The method we propose does not have the accuracy of an irradiance meter of high precision but has the advantage of being readily accessible on any smartphone. It could serve as a quick tool to estimate irradiance measurements in the preliminary stages of PV systems design. Furthermore, it could act as a cost-effective educational tool in sustainable energy courses where understanding solar radiation variations is an important aspect.

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Ultraviolet Imaging with Low Cost Smartphone Sensors: Development and Application of a Raspberry Pi-Based UV Camera

Cited by 69 publications

References 23 publications

A Novel and Inexpensive Method for Measuring Volcanic Plume Water Fluxes at High Temporal Resolution

A Novel and Inexpensive Method for Measuring Volcanic Plume Water Fluxes at High Temporal Resolution

Ultraviolet Imaging of Volcanic Plumes: A New Paradigm in Volcanology

Solar Irradiance Measurements Using Smart Devices: A Cost-Effective Technique for Estimation of Solar Irradiance for Sustainable Energy Systems

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