SmartCoast is a multidisciplinary applied research project developing smart sensors and wireless sensor networks for monitoring water quality. Growing international emphasis on the management of water quality is giving rise to an expanding international market for novel miniaturized, intelligent water monitoring systems. Co-funded by the Marine Institute and Environmental Protection Agency, SmartCoast brings together a multidisciplinary team from the NCSR,   the Tyndall National Institute, two Irish SMEs (the National Microelectronics Applications Centre Ltd and Marine Informatics), and two end users (the South West Regional Authority and the Marine Institute) in a collaborative programme of research focused on developing a prototype wireless sensor systems with commercial potential.   

The vision behind SmartCoast is to establish the building blocks of an ‘environmental nervous system’ composed of multiple sensors deployed as a ‘sensor-net’ capable of monitoring the spatial and temporal distribution of water quality. Such a system could deliver detailed data at levels that would be difficult, if not impossible, to achieve otherwise. SmartCoast began in May 2005 and runs to June 2008.

Dr. John Cleary and Conor Slater from the NCSR who are developing SmartCoast's prototype sensor for phosphate.	Dr. Antoin Lawlor, environmental scientist, analyzing the effects of antifouling materials using scanning electron microscopy.

The SmartCoast team at the NCSR is developing two prototype sensors for measuring phosphate and dissolved oxygen. Both sensors are capable of remote autonomous operation and will be integrated with the Plug & Play sensor interface being developed at the Tyndall National Institute and the Wireless Sensor Network being developed by MAC.

One of the main problems for the long-term deployment of sensors in the aquatic environment is biofouling (the accumulation of micro organisms, plants and animals such as seaweed and barnacles) on sensors and sensor platforms. Investigations into novel approaches to antifouling for sensors and sensor platforms are also taking place at the NCSR.
 
To find out more about SmartCoast , please visit the Project website: www.tyndall.ie/projects/smartcoast/

Or contact Project Manager

Dr. Fiona Regan
School of Chemical Sciences / National Centre for Sensor Research,
Dublin City University,
Glasnevin,
Dublin 9.
Ph: 00 353 1 7005765
Fax: 00 353 1 7005503
Email: Fiona.Regan@dcu.ie