AAUA graduates invent atmosphere monitoring device

FOUR fresh graduates of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko (AAUA), Ondo State,  Abegunde Moses, Ibitoye Mercy, Olusola Johnson, and Subair  Quadri have invented  an atmospheric and particulate matter monitoring device.

According to the inventors, the new device is aimed at decreasing and, if possible, eliminating atmospheric pollutants that threaten human health across the globe.

The graduates of the Physics and Electronics Department said the atmospheric and particulate matter monitoring device was conceived as their final project requirement, which was fuelled by their commitment to addressing a pressing need in the society.

They noted that they embarked on this project to devise a practical solution to the alarming increase in the level of atmospheric pollutants and their adverse effects on human health and the ecosystem at large.

Explaining further the rationale behind the invention, a member of the team, Abegunde Moses, noted that the device is used to measure the atmospheric parameters and concentration of aerosols and particulate matters in the atmosphere at a given time.

“Aerosols and particulate matter are the most harmful form of air pollution due to their ability to penetrate deep into the lungs and brain from bloodstreams, causing health problems such as heart disease, lung disease and premature death.

While acknowledging the challenges encountered by the team, Abegunde said the major challenge of the project was unavailability of the components that were used for the construction.

“Many of the components are not available here in Nigeria so we had to import, which caused a little delay,” he said.

They added that another major challenge faced in the course of the project was finance and access to the needed equipment.

The graduates, however, urged the government and private sectors to be actively involved in problem-solving projects such as this by providing grants to fund them.

They said, another way the government could contribute is by providing scholarship opportunities for students who are passionate about global impacts.

In his remarks, the project supervisor, Mr Joshua Akinsusi, commended the team for their relentless effort toward achieving the project, while he appealed to the government and other sectors not to let projects like this end at the defence and clearance stage, saying that “it is just a step out of the cave.”

We still have a long way to go as regards providing lasting solutions to climate change and global warming.

This global village is ours to keep. Hence, it is our collective responsibility to ensure that it is in good condition and that every potential threat is mitigated or if possible, eradicated, Joshua said.

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