Nathan Melenbrink (Department of Physics)
First-Year Seminar 58E | Fall Term | Tuesday, 9:00–11:45 AM
Enrollment Limited to 12 | CANVAS SITE
Please note for J-Term: as part of this seminar, students will return to campus a week before the start of the spring term, Sat, Jan 17-Fri, 23, 2026. The students will submit their final sensor design to be produced in a small batch (i.e., dozens of units) during the term break. There will be no cost to students for supplies or living expenses.
They will install their newly manufactured sensors in various locations along the Massachusetts coast and evaluate their performance, clearing the way for a subsequent batch to be delivered to the Weathermakers, researchers working at Lake Bardawil, a vital lagoon ecosystem in the Sinai.
Have you ever wondered how technology and innovation can tackle some of the world’s most pressing environmental challenges? In collaboration with the Weathermakers—a pioneering team of scientists and ecologists dedicated to regreening the Sinai Peninsula—this seminar offers an exciting chance to engage directly in a real-world environmental initiative. Together, we will address the critical need for affordable, long-term water quality monitoring devices for Lake Bardawil, a vital lagoon ecosystem in the Sinai.
Instead of relying on costly, off-the-shelf equipment, students will creatively leverage cutting-edge techniques in Computer Vision and Artificial Intelligence to develop novel, low-cost sensors capable of monitoring salinity, nitrates, nitrites, and other essential water properties. Throughout the semester, student teams will collaboratively explore vital design considerations, including sensor mobility (anchored vs. roaming), optimal solar panel and battery sizing, data communication protocols, and data acquisition methods.
Participants will gain hands-on experience through prototyping and iterative design, using digital fabrication methods such as 3D printing, CAD design, and advanced electronics assembly. Students will rigorously test their buoyant sensor prototypes in the Charles River and nearby brackish environments analogous to Lake Bardawil, ensuring these devices can reliably operate in realistic conditions.
This seminar provides an immersive experience blending technology, environmental science, teamwork, and innovation. It aims not only to build practical engineering and design skills but also encourages students to envision how their work can positively impact ecosystems worldwide.