Lithuanian–French Programme “Gilibert” for Bilateral Cooperation in the Fields of Culture, Education, Science, Technology and Technique to strengthen the bonds between countries, develop and encourage cooperation as well as actively participate in a collective European scientific research area. The goal of the programme is to develop and encourage bilateral cooperation in the areas of scientific research and experimental development, while actively participating in a collective European scientific research environment.
Among the winners of this year’s programme is the project “Monitoring of Metrological Data Using Inexpensive IoT Measuring Devices in Indoor Environments” of Kauno kolegija Higher Education Institution (HEI) and Sorbonne Paris Nord University (France).
Lina Kuraitienė, Head of the Projects Management Unit at Kauno kolegija HEI, reveals that under the Lithuanian-French programme “Gilibert”, funding for a project at Kauno kolegija HEI has been received for the first time: ‘This project, implemented with a partner of the UNINOVIS alliance, will contribute to strengthening both Kauno kolegija HEI and the alliance’s activities in the field of science.’
Close collaboration between scientists
Dr Laimonas Kairiūkštis, Assistant Professor at the Faculty of Computing, Engineering and Technologies of Kauno kolegija HEI, notes that data collection is one of the most important components of quality infrastructure, on which human and automated machine decisions depend, therefore this process should be viewed from a broader perspective. The three main pillars of quality infrastructure are metrology, standardisation and accreditation.
‘It is difficult for many to understand how important metrology is in each of our lives. These days we talk a lot about big data, but we pay little attention to how that data is collected from sensors, what size it is, and what causes huge measurement uncertainties that can significantly affect the results obtained and lead to an unreasonably high probability of making a wrong decision,’ says Dr L. Kairiūkštis.
He recalls that two years ago, the metrology problems of the Internet of Things (IoT), presented to scientists from Sorbonne Paris Nord University, attracted quite a lot of interest. At that time, opportunities for joint supervision of master’s theses and doctoral dissertations were discussed, and to seek further cooperation, an application was submitted to the Research Council of Lithuania for participation in the project “Increasing the Internationalization of Lithuanian Science – Development of R&D Relations (LINO LT)”.
‘After winning the application, funding was received for a repeat visit to Sorbonne Paris Nord University. During the visit last spring, it was decided to sign an agreement that would allow close cooperation in the field of science between Sorbonne Paris Nord University and Kauno kolegija HEI scientists,’ shares Dr L. Kairiūkštis.
Sorbonne Paris Nord University and Kauno kolegija HEI, together with higher education institutions from Albania, Finland, Germany, Italy and Spain, are partners in the new European university alliance UNINOVIS.
The project aims to contribute to the faster implementation of IoT platforms
In September 2023, after signing an agreement, Sorbonne Paris Nord University invited researcher Dr L. Kairiūkštis to participate in the project “Sustainable, Secure And Privacy Preserving IoT Framework For Air Quality” funded by the French National Centre for Scientific Research.
‘During the implementation of this project, ideas arose on how to further develop cooperation in the field of IoT metrology. To strengthen the forces, “Business Alliance” – an accredited physical measurement laboratory, contributed to the activities, which helped in the preparation of the “Monitoring of Metrological Data Using Inexpensive Internet of Things Measuring Devices in Indoor Environments” application under the Research Council of Lithuania “Gilibert” programme. This project aims to address the reduction of measurement uncertainty of IoT sensors (low-cost) used in indoor air quality measurements by performing calibration. Experiments will be performed in the IoT sensor network created during the project to ensure the quality of indoor air quality (IAQ) measurements,’ notes the Kauno kolegija HEI researcher.
He reveals that this project examines key issues: developing the most effective calibration method for IoT sensors monitoring indoor air quality; ensuring metrological connectivity of IoT sensors; determining calibration periodicity; and using measurement data to optimise energy consumption for heating and ventilation of premises.
This project aims to contribute to the faster deployment of IoT platforms, to monitor and improve indoor air quality (IAQ) in public facilities such as kindergartens, schools and universities.
‘The implementation of such cost-effective IoT platforms can be applied as a preventive measure to ensure indoor air quality and prevent infections and respiratory and lung diseases caused by airborne particulate matter or certain chemicals. Data collected using IoT platforms can contribute to the advancement of research into airborne diseases and influence preventive decision-making,’ says Dr L. Kairiūkštis.
He reveals that there is no stopping this project – in addition to the existing two projects, researchers from Sorbonne Paris Nord University and Kauno kolegija HEI are continuing to work on the preparation of the Horizon Europe project and are writing the book “IoT Platforms For Monitoring Indoor Air Quality: New Challenges For Preserving Health”.
‘I am glad that, having gained the trust of my partners, I was invited to become the editor of one of the chapters of the book “Data Collection”,’ shares the Kauno kolegija HEI researcher.
It is expected that the international recognition of IoT metrology research will help to further develop interdisciplinary IoT metrology research, combining research on telecommunications network security, data collection and processing, and healthcare sciences.
The project is funded by the Research Council of Lithuania
