Low-Cost Efficient Wireless Intelligent Sensor (LEWIS) for Research and Education.

Area of Science:

• Engineering
• Educational Technology

Background:

• Sensors provide real-time data crucial for engineering monitoring and education.
• Complexity, cost, and fabrication challenges limit sensor accessibility for students and researchers.
• There is a need for simplified, low-cost sensing solutions for educational and research purposes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and fabricate an efficient, low-cost wireless intelligent sensor for education and research.
• To describe the hardware and software architecture of the LEWIS1 sensor and its subsequent simplified versions (LEWIS1-β and LEWIS1-γ).
• To compare the LEWIS1 sensor's capabilities with a commercial PCB sensor and demonstrate its educational outreach potential.

Main Methods:

• Development and fabrication of the LEWIS1 sensor prototype.
• Description of the hardware and software architecture for LEWIS1, LEWIS1-β, and LEWIS1-γ.
• Comparative analysis of LEWIS1 sensor performance against a commercial PCB sensor.
• Documentation of outreach activities and sensor-building workshops.

Main Results:

• Successful development and testing of the LEWIS1 sensor, with simplified versions (LEWIS1-β, LEWIS1-γ) enhancing accessibility.
• Demonstrated comparable capabilities to commercial sensors, validating its effectiveness for educational and research applications.
• An increasing trend in participation in sensor-building workshops since 2015, indicating growing interest across professions.

Conclusions:

• The LEWIS1 sensor and its simplified iterations offer an accessible and efficient tool for engineering education and research.
• Adoption of LEWIS1 versions can enhance practical learning and foster broader engagement in sensor technology.
• The study highlights the growing interest and participation in hands-on sensor fabrication activities.