A growing list of other applications of sensor technology needs some exploration.
Data loggers are small battery powered devices that are equipped with
a microprocessor, data storage and sensor. Most utilize software on a personal
computer to initiate the logger and view the collected data. Once the logger
is configured, it will be disconnected and placed where data collection
is needed. Onset Computer Corp (http://www.onsetcomp.com/)
is one company offering data loggers. Boxcar Software sets up the operating
parameters for Hobo and Stowaways, battery powered devices for remote placement
with sensors for temperature, RH (relative humidity), and light intensity.
Other companies include: http://www.geminidataloggers.com/ ; http://www.dcpmicro.com/ ;
; http://www.pace-sci.com/ ; http://www.microdaq.com ; http://members.tripod.com/~HANOVER_TECHNICAL/portable.html .
Instead of manually bringing the data to the computer, another approach
is to use wireless technologies to automatically send data to a recording
computer. Davis Company offers such systems with a variety of weather type
stations with up to 15 different parameters being measured. Three system
of transmission are being used. Spread spectrum radio modems can send up
to 7 miles without a requirement for an FCC license. UHF radio modems can
send up to 25 miles but require FCC license. Cell phone modems would cover
infinite distances as long as they are within range of cell phone towers.
If standard electrical power cannot be used, solar-charged battery systems
are available. One system that Davis provides is a 6.5 amp-hour battery
and solar panel that once charged with 1hour of bright light can run the
station for 16 hours in total darkness. A fully charged battery will run
the system for about 8 days.
A variety of related but non-computer integrated systems are available. Sensaphone Systems provide frost alarms that phone several numbers until contact is made. Other sensors includ temperature, humidity, water detection, motion, magnetic reed switch for alarms and low temperature audible alarms. Additional sensors support temperature controllers hat turn fans and heaters on and off. Lightning detectors systems report distance away and frequency of strikes. Many PH meters are also available.
Advanced Curriculum for Sensor Use
Home automation makes use of a wide variety of sensors to manage the operation of a home. It is perhaps the most common system that educators might find themselves considering that uses sensors and remote control devices extensively. The same technology can be studied and experimented with in classroom settings. Most home supply stores provide a variety of technology and training in this area. So much information is available online for this topic that searches are probably best paired with some other concept such as "home automation" and garage. See the following examples: Google search for "home automation" Google search for "home automation" and garage.
If you merge a collection of sensors, mechanical devices, and programming languages you have a high interest topic for students, robots. Much has been written in both fiction and non-fiction concerning this concept for most age levels. Defining a robot is an elusive task, but clearly the capacity to carry out automated functions in your absence is one part of a robot. Others would include environmental awareness, communication capacity and mobility as important features.
Programming is an important part of using sensors whether part of a robot
or not. Programming can be done with written text and it can be done with
hardware. To an application programmer, hardware is a kind of frozen software.
To an electronics engineer software is just a slow kind of hardware. That
is, wires, solder, sensors and computer chips are continually designed
by electronics engineers to carry out a variety of computer programs. Today,
our country is short some several hundred thousand people with computer
science training to work in this career area. Projections of need run to
over a million positions in the next few years. Children and adolescents
could greatly benefit with earlier and more exposure to a variety of by-products
of computer science that incorporate elements of programming. Logo has
been the the premier language for introducing school age children and adolescents
to programming concepts, but any programming language is better than no
language. Especially if the teacher lacks programming skills, these sites
are examples of places that can provide awareness and further education
for a wide range of learners.
When these sensors are integrated with other elements such as mechanical devices and programming languages, robots are formed. A number of resources are available for school curriculum in this area: