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App Homepage
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Arduino Board
Inspiration
Marine debris and chemical leaching are silent threats to our oceans, harming ecosystems and marine life before we even notice the damage. We wanted to build a low-cost, practical solution that empowers communities to detect pollution early, so action can be taken before it spreads.
What it does
Sea Scanner is an Arduino-powered device paired with a mobile app that monitors ocean conditions in real time. Using a gas sensor, moisture sensor, and temperature & humidity sensors, it detects potential leaching and pollution, then instantly sends notifications with GPS coordinates and environmental data to the app for tracking and response.
How we built it
We combined multiple sensors on an Arduino board and programmed it to capture and process environmental readings. The device communicates with our mobile app, which we designed to receive and display notifications with detailed data and location mapping. Together, the hardware and software create a simple but effective monitoring system for marine pollution.
Challenges we ran into
One major challenge was calibrating the sensors to work reliably in water-related environments, as readings can fluctuate under different conditions. We also had to solve connectivity issues between the Arduino and the app, ensuring that alerts were transmitted in real time without data loss.
Accomplishments that we’re proud of
We successfully built a fully working prototype that combines hardware and software in a meaningful way. Our system can detect changes, transmit them instantly, and provide actionable insights through the app. Seeing the first live notification pop up with the coordinates of our device was a big milestone for us.
What we learned
We learned how to integrate multiple sensors with Arduino while managing power and accuracy. We also deepened our knowledge of real-time data transfer between hardware and mobile applications. Beyond the technical skills, we learned how impactful technology can be in environmental protection when designed with accessibility and community use in mind.
What’s next for Sea Scanner
We plan to improve the sensitivity and calibration of our sensors for more accurate detection of harmful chemicals and microplastics. In the future, we envision deploying a network of Sea Scanners across coastal areas to provide a live pollution map for researchers, governments, and communities. By scaling the system, we hope to make marine protection more proactive, data-driven, and accessible worldwide.
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