Remote assessment of cultural heritage environments with wireless sensor array networks

Area of Science:

• Heritage Science
• Environmental Monitoring
• Sensor Technology

Background:

• Environmental monitoring for cultural heritage is complex and costly due to numerous parameters.
• Heritage managers require user-friendly systems with remote access for holistic environmental impact assessment.
• Existing methods often lack the integrated approach needed for comprehensive cultural material preservation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and evaluate a novel dosimetric system for environmental monitoring in heritage sites.
• To assess the system's feasibility, usability, and effectiveness in real-world heritage contexts.
• To provide a cost-efficient and accessible solution for monitoring environmental factors affecting cultural materials.

Main Methods:

• A prototype sensing module utilizing an array of piezoelectric quartz crystals (PQC) coated with different metals (Fe, Cu, Ni, Sn).
• Integration of temperature and relative humidity sensors within the module.
• A communication module featuring 802.15.4 low-power radio and a GPRS gateway for real-time online data visualization.
• Implementation of an energy management protocol for low power consumption.

Main Results:

• Successful field deployments at Apsley House (UK) and the Royal Palaces of Abomey (Benin).
• Real-time data transmission and online visualization of environmental parameters.
• Evaluation of PQC measurements, temperature, relative humidity, and communication success rates.
• Demonstrated low power consumption through an energy management protocol.

Conclusions:

• The piezoelectric quartz crystal (PQC) dosimetric system is a viable and effective tool for environmental monitoring in cultural heritage.
• The system provides a user-friendly, cost-effective solution with remote access capabilities.
• Field deployments confirmed the system's potential to aid heritage managers in preserving cultural materials.