In the rapidly evolving world of agricultural technology, a new systematic review published in the journal ‘IoT’ is shedding light on the critical role of Internet of Things (IoT) systems in ammonia monitoring. The research, led by Adriel Henrique Monte Claro da Silva from the Polytechnic School of Pernambuco, University of Pernambuco, Brazil, offers a comprehensive analysis of current trends and future opportunities in this burgeoning field.
Ammonia, a colorless gas with a pungent odor, is a cornerstone of modern agriculture. It is widely used in fertilizers, helping to boost crop yields and feed a growing global population. However, improper management of ammonia can pose significant risks to both human health and the environment. Leaks can lead to environmental contamination, while high concentrations can cause respiratory issues and other health problems. Effective monitoring is therefore essential for enhancing industrial safety and preventing such incidents.
The review, which follows the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) methodology, focuses on sensor technologies, microcontrollers, communication technologies, IoT platforms, and applications. It reveals that most studies employed sensors from the MQ family, particularly the MQ-135 and MQ-137, which are known for their reliability and accuracy in detecting ammonia levels. Microcontrollers based on the Xtensa architecture (ESP32 and ESP8266) and ARM Cortex-A processors (Raspberry Pi 3B+/4) were also commonly used, with Wi-Fi as the predominant communication technology.
“Our findings highlight the growing maturity of IoT technologies in ammonia sensing,” said da Silva. “These technologies are not only becoming more reliable but also more energy-efficient, which is crucial for their deployment in remote agricultural settings.”
The review also identified Blynk and ThingSpeak as the primary cloud-based IoT platforms used in these studies. These platforms enable real-time data collection and analysis, allowing farmers and agricultural businesses to make informed decisions about ammonia usage and storage.
The most frequent applications of these IoT systems were in agriculture and environmental monitoring. This is not surprising given the critical role of ammonia in these sectors. However, the review also highlighted the potential for these technologies to be used in other industries, such as refrigeration systems, chemical manufacturing, and power generation.
One of the key challenges identified in the review is the need for more integrated solutions that combine IoT with Artificial Intelligence (AI). “AI can help to predict ammonia leaks before they occur, allowing for proactive rather than reactive management,” explained da Silva. “This is an area with significant potential for future research and development.”
The commercial impacts of this research for the agriculture sector are substantial. By improving the safety and efficiency of ammonia usage, these IoT systems can help to reduce costs, enhance productivity, and minimize environmental impact. They can also provide valuable data for precision agriculture, enabling farmers to optimize crop yields and resource usage.
As the world continues to grapple with the challenges of climate change and food security, the role of ammonia in agriculture is likely to become even more important. This systematic review provides a timely and valuable contribution to the field, highlighting the potential of IoT technologies to transform ammonia monitoring and management.
In the words of da Silva, “The future of ammonia monitoring lies in the integration of IoT and AI. This is an exciting area of research with significant potential to enhance industrial safety and environmental sustainability.” With the insights provided by this review, the agriculture sector is well-positioned to harness these technologies and drive forward the next generation of agricultural innovation.