Know-Center Unveiled: Insights from the EDIAQI Project Brainstorming

The Know-Center recently conducted a dynamic brainstorming session in the context of the EDIAQI project. The team explored the project's objectives alongside broader policy considerations and delved into the technical aspects shaping the future of Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) monitoring. As a result, the Know-Center team has compiled a set of questions and answers summarising key dimensions from their discussion.

Indoor air pollution is a critical health issue. Could you explain how the technical framework your centre is developing contributes to improving indoor air quality in Europe and beyond? 

The Know-Center has developed the Know-Center Data Platform (KDP), a platform designed to gather and analyses indoor air quality data from four European pilots and campaigns. Positioned as a central access point, the platform will compile both chemical and non-chemical parameters that affect our health. The platform will be complemented by an awareness raising campaign to enlighten citizens about the causes, impact, and notably, effective measures to improve IAQ.

In the context of the European Green Deal's Zero-Pollution Action Plan, how does the EDIAQI project align with and contribute to the broader environmental goals and policies of the European Union? 

EDIAQI is one of seven currently active European projects dedicated to IAQ and is part of the IDEAL cluster. This collective effort aims to improve and safeguard the health and well-being of European citizens in indoor environments. As a result, there is a direct alignment with the European Green Deal mission that permeates various organisations and initiatives across Europe. The first objective in the zero-pollution vision for 2050 is to improve air quality and subsequently reduce the number of premature deaths caused by air pollution. We are happy to work on a project that serves this deeper health-related purpose.

The project aims to gather data on various indoor air pollutants. Could you share some details about the types of pollutants you're focusing on and the methodologies your centre is using to collect and analyse this data? 

Our focus is on assessing various indoor air pollutants, encompassing chemical pollutants such as benzene, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, ozone and radon. Additionally, we are also focuses on bioaerosols such as dust microbiome and particulate matter of different sizes, including ultrafine particles. To streamline the process, all data will be transferred from data providers to the Know-Center Data Platform (KDP) developed during this project. Collaborative analysis will also take place within the JupyterHub. After data pre-processing, statistical and machine learning methods will be applied.

Can you provide some insights into the innovative aspects of the technical framework the Know-Centre is creating? How do these innovations advance the field of indoor air quality monitoring? 

The Know-Center Data Platform (KDP) merges data management and data analytics capabilities, creating an integrated solution for EDIAQI. The KDP also includes the data collection from different data providers and offers metadata handling ensuring that the collected data is interpretable and usable in the future. The federated and open architecture of the KDP not only enables future extensions but also allows for adaptation to handle currently unforeseen use cases. Consequently, the KDP is a perfect blueprint for future data management solutions in the field of IAQ monitoring. These solutions can leverage the results of the EDIAQI project to reduce their efforts for software infrastructure development and data organisation dramatically.

As the EDIAQI project progresses, what are some key milestones or goals that your research centre is aiming to achieve in the near future to further its mission? 

Current efforts in AI research primarily revolve around establishing trustworthy artificial intelligence that ensures human privacy, acts transparently, and is resistant to manipulation. A noteworthy development is the technical feasibility of enabling AI to learn and make decisions based on encrypted data. These privacy preserving technologies have enabled a new kind of innovation across various industries. The Know Center, recognised as one of Europe's most advanced scientific centres for AI and data-driven business, actively champions and contributes to these transformative initiatives.

The EDIAQI project emphasises the need for user-friendly indoor air quality monitoring solutions. What technical challenges have you encountered in developing such solutions, and how have you addressed them? 

Regarding the data platform, a crucial challenge is ensuring seamless data collection, storage, and real-time analysis. In developing user-friendly indoor air quality monitoring solutions, we faced challenges such as ensuring consistent data collection, managing diverse data formats from various sensors, and providing real-time analytics. To address these issues, we utilised a data platform built on iRODS. The iRODS system, being a data virtualisation platform, allowed for seamless integration and management of heterogeneous data sources. Metalnx, serving as a graphical user interface to iRODS, provides a user-friendly way to interact with data. Leveraging iRODS' extensibility and its metadata catalogue capabilities, the team was able to provide users with rapid insights, ensuring efficient monitoring and improved decision-making.

As the lead partner in developing the technical framework, what long-term impact do you hope the EDIAQI project will have on indoor air quality monitoring and public health in Europe and beyond? 

The data management and data analysis solutions developed and tested in EDIAQI will be accessible to future projects and IAQ initiatives. Consequently, these projects and initiatives can leverage and build upon the foundations laid by EDIAQI, significantly diminishing their workload. This paves the way for a more rapid and cost-effective expansion of IAQ monitoring compared to what was previously achievable. Combined with better analysis, that enables prediction and detection of critical IAQ situations, we foresee a better understanding of the coherences and ramifications of IAQ and health.

Can the KNOW team elaborate on the specific technologies or methodologies your research centre is using to make indoor air quality monitoring more accessible and effective within the EDIAQI project? 

The KNOW team, within the scope of the EDIAQI project, leverages an advanced data platform built on the synergy of iRODS, Metalnx, and Keycloak. At the core, iRODS ensures structured data management, allowing for automation and rule-based data workflows that address diverse sensor inputs. Metalnx, as a user-friendly interface to iRODS, enhances accessibility, making it straightforward for stakeholders to interact with the complex air quality data. Meanwhile, Keycloak provides robust authentication and authorisation mechanisms, ensuring that the data remains secure and accessible only to authorised personnel. Finally, the platform connects with FROST-Servers to retrieve SensorThingsAPI data, ensuring real-time and accurate indoor air quality metrics are available for analysis and action.
 

Note: This article has published on behalf of the Know-Center, with contributions from Heimo Gursch, Kristina Casni, Lorenz Dirry, and Eva Paulusberger, while Sabine deRouw facilitated the brainstorming exercise.