Issue 9, 2019

Telechemistry: monitoring chemical reactions via the cloud using the Particle Photon Wi-Fi module

Abstract

Experimentation in chemistry normally involves manual handling of hazardous chemicals and observation of chemical transformations that occur within minutes, hours, or days. Nowadays, acquisition, exchange, and analysis of digital datasets are facilitated by the emerging technology called the Internet-of-Things (IoT). Chemists are also empowered to implement the IoT to remotely operate laboratory equipment and monitor their experiments over the cloud in real time. Automation of experimental procedures and remote reaction monitoring comes with the added safety of the experimenter. Moreover, it improves the data reliability and transparency because the IoT facilitates simultaneous exchange of data among scientists. Here, we demonstrate how a popular IoT device (Particle Photon Wi-Fi module) can be applied effortlessly for remote operation and monitoring of long-term (bio)chemical reactions and experimental conditions. Examples include monitoring of a pH-oscillating reaction and spoilage of milk (acidification due to microbial fermentation). Laboratory environmental conditions are monitored along with the reaction mixture/sample pH. The system also implements a safety feature to switch off the entire system if a dangerous condition emerges. The experimenters can monitor the experiment progress by means of any connected device—computer or smartphone—from any place in the world and even reprogram the system during the process, if necessary.

Graphical abstract: Telechemistry: monitoring chemical reactions via the cloud using the Particle Photon Wi-Fi module

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
29 Janv. 2019
Accepted
02 Apr. 2019
First published
02 Apr. 2019

React. Chem. Eng., 2019,4, 1616-1622

Telechemistry: monitoring chemical reactions via the cloud using the Particle Photon Wi-Fi module

G. R. D. Prabhu, H. A. Witek and P. L. Urban, React. Chem. Eng., 2019, 4, 1616 DOI: 10.1039/C9RE00043G

To request permission to reproduce material from this article, please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

If you are an author contributing to an RSC publication, you do not need to request permission provided correct acknowledgement is given.

If you are the author of this article, you do not need to request permission to reproduce figures and diagrams provided correct acknowledgement is given. If you want to reproduce the whole article in a third-party publication (excluding your thesis/dissertation for which permission is not required) please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

Read more about how to correctly acknowledge RSC content.

Social activity

Spotlight

Advertisements