Monitor air quality on the go with the Raspberry Pi Pico 2
Originally published on tomshardware.com by Ash Hill on 31 December 2024
Arnov Sharma has developed a remarkable portable air quality monitor, powered by the Raspberry Pi Pico 2, to make it easier to understand what’s in the air around us. This handheld device provides real-time data on specific pollutants and serves as an open-source project with detailed instructions available on Hackster, allowing others to replicate or customize it.
At the heart of this monitor is the MQ135 air quality sensor. This module is known for its versatility and compatibility with various microcontrollers, making it a perfect match for the power-efficient Raspberry Pi Pico 2. An OLED display complements the setup, providing a custom interface that shows live readings of pollutants like CO2, smoke particles, benzene, alcohol, ammonia, and nitrogen oxide. However, it’s important to note that this device does not offer a complete Air Quality Index (AQI) analysis but instead focuses on a subset of detectable pollutants.
Initially, the project utilized a Raspberry Pi Pico 2, but Sharma later switched to a Firebeetle 2 ESP32-E to overcome a significant design hurdle: the lack of an integrated battery charging circuit in the Pico. The Firebeetle includes a TP4056 charging circuit, making it more practical for a compact and portable device.
Recreating this air quality monitor requires a few components, including the MQ135 sensor, an SSD1306 OLED screen, a 14500 Lithium-Ion battery, and a 3D-printed housing. Both the Raspberry Pi Pico 2 and the Firebeetle ESP32-E can serve as the microcontroller, though the choice depends on your preferred approach to battery management. The project’s source code is freely available on Hackster, offering flexibility for those who wish to modify or expand its functionality.
This project exemplifies how accessible technology like the Raspberry Pi can empower individuals to tackle practical environmental challenges. To learn more about the build process, visit the project’s page on Hackster, and consider following Arnov Sharma for more innovative and inspiring projects.
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