Designing Smart Water System with IoTs and AI for Clean Water Access

Clean water in the Niagara river.

Build a lab-scale water system, using a 3D printer, water pumps, and PVC pipes. Develop customized ESP32-based sensors for water quality and pressure monitoring. Learn basic data analysis in Python.

Project description

Our urban water systems are aging and often passively managed, meaning we only repair them when significant failure occurs. During this project we want to explore smart ways to monitor these systems by integrating Internet of Things (IoTs) and AI.

This project will work with students to develop a lab-based water system. This water system will be built by PVC pipes, pumps, and 3D printed customized components.

This project also develops ESP32-based Internet of Things for water quality and hydraulic monitoring.

Students will also learn how to conduct basic sensing data analysis using Python. 

Project outcome

  • A lab-based water system with water circulation.
  • A poster to introduce the system.
  • Multiple Internet of Things (IoTs) devices. 

Project details

Timing, eligibility and other details
Length of commitment About a semester (3-5 months)
Start time Anytime 
In-person, remote, or hybrid? In-Person Project 
Level of collaboration Small group project (2-3 students)
Benefits Research experience
Who is eligible Juniors
Seniors 

Core partners

Project mentor

Xudong Fan

Assistant Professor

Civil, Structural, and Environmental Engineering

Phone: (716) 645-2298

Email: xudongfa@buffalo.edu

Start the project

  1. Email the project mentor using the contact information above to express your interest and get approval to work on the project. (Here are helpful tips on how to contact a project mentor.)
  2. After you receive approval from the mentor to start this project, click the button to start the digital badge. (Learn more about ELN's digital badge options.) 
Start the Digital Badge

Preparation activities

Once you begin the digital badge series, you will have access to all the necessary activities and instructions. Your mentor has indicated they would like you to also complete the specific preparation activities below. Please reference this when you get to Step 2 of the Preparation Phase. 

Sharpr 3D modeling (only the starter part). Experience with other 3D modeling software is also acceptable.

ESP32 for beginners

Keywords

AI, Internet of Things, Smart Devices, 3D Printing, Python, Water Management, Computer Science, Engineering