An increasing number of people carries a mobile phone with internet, camera and large computing power. iSPEX, an add-on with complementary app, instantly turns a smartphone into a scientific instrument to measure dust in our atmosphere. The user attaches the add-on on the phone and points it towards blue sky and takes a picture, it is as simple as that. The data is sent automatically to a central database that combines all the measurements with other specialized stations to make a national dust chart. Every iSPEX user will gain awareness to several urgent problems related to dust in our atmosphere, and by means of crowdsourcing everyone can do one’s bit to contribute to solve these problems. The data collected through iSPEX will lead to a better assessment of the health risks due to fine dust particles and whether or not volcanic ash clouds are dangerous for air traffic. It can also contribute to the understanding of the relationship between atmospheric aerosols and climate change.
Reformatorisch Dagblad mentiones start iSPEX
The National newspaper Reformatorisch Dagblad mentioned the kick-off of the iSPEX project and the posibility to register on it’s website.
iArbo.nl blogs about iSPEX
22 February, a weblog about Apps for safetyprofessionals iArbo.nl published an article about iSPEX
Registration for participation opened
Leiden, 22 February 2013
Project iSPEX has officially started – registration for participation opened
AT THE MOMENT THIS PROJECT IS ONLY AVAILABLE IN THE NETHERLANDS. PARTICIPATION OUTSIDE THE NETHERLANDS IS NOT POSSIBLE
Click here to participate in the iSPEX project!
Registration for the large citizen science-project iSPEX, “Measure aerosols with your smartphone” is opened. As of today, people interested in ordering an iSPEX, the add-on for your smartphone which allows ‘do-it-yourself’ science, can do so. Everyone with an iSPEX add-on can join the national measurement day, which is planned in the early summer of 2013.
iSPEX in the Volkskrant
On Februari 17, the Dutch national newspaper Volkskrant, published an article on citizen science with iSPEX as an example. The article has the title:
A growing army of amatures helps with scientific research
Interview on iSPEX in Trouw
https://twitter.com/HesterVolten/status/302375571176955904
Dutch national newspaper Trouw interviewed Hester Volten, member of the iSPEX team about our citizen science project.
Rotterdam excited about iSPEX
dichtbij.nl, the website that bring local news, published an article on the iSPEX project. It also states that enrolling in the project can also be done via milieucentrum rotterdam.
iSPEX on the cover of NTvN
The Februari edition of the Nederlands Tijdschrift voor de Natuurkunde (Dutch Magazine of Physics, NTvN) placed iSPEX on their cover and published an interview with Frans Snik about iSPEX. Read more on the NTvN website.
Enthusiasm at Royal Haskoning DHV about iSPEX
Interessante presentatie gezien over #iSPEX bij #RHDHV. Toekomst voor luchtkwaliteitmetingen?
— sander teeuwisse (@STeeuwisse) 31 januari 2013
Read more on “Enthusiasm at Royal Haskoning DHV about iSPEX” »
Eureka! explains iSPEX
The 39th edition of the monthly magazine of student organization de Leidsche Flesch and the Faculty of Science of Leiden University has an extensive article on iSPEX at page 13. The article is written by Ritse Heinsbroek, a member of the iSPEX-team and a student at the Faculty of Science.