Fabbrica dell’Aria – The Digital System That Makes Natural Biofiltration Measurable
A platform for monitoring, controlling, and optimizing biofiltration systems in real time.
Client
Request
Fabbrica dell’Aria originated from the research activities of PNAT (Project Nature), a spin-off of the University of Florence led by Stefano Mancuso, Director of the International Laboratory of Plant Neurobiology (LINV). The project applies the latest advances in plant biology to develop natural systems that improve indoor air quality.
To support the project’s evolution, PNAT needed a technology partner capable of working alongside its research team to develop a digital platform for monitoring, controlling, and analysing the operation of its systems.
The goal was to transform a complex biological system into a solution that is easy to manage by collecting environmental data, automating device control, and making the performance of the air purification process measurable.
Solution
Develer designed and developed the software infrastructure that connects the physical Fabbrica dell’Aria systems to a centralized cloud platform, consisting of:
- A cloud dashboard for remote system monitoring;
- Applications and user interfaces for operators;
- Control systems for the automated management of devices installed in each system;
- An IoT infrastructure for collecting and processing sensor data.
Through a network of sensors and IoT devices, the platform collects data on system operation and environmental conditions, allowing operators to continuously monitor system status and intervene remotely whenever necessary.
The platform enables the management of all the key components required for the biofilter to operate correctly: irrigation through solenoid valves, lighting to simulate day and night cycles, and ventilation for air treatment.
A remote diagnostics system also makes it possible to detect anomalies and assess the health of the system without requiring on-site intervention.
Approach
The complexity of the project required close collaboration between researchers, designers, and software developers.
The Develer team worked alongside PNAT to translate scientific and operational requirements into intuitive, reliable, and scalable digital tools. An iterative approach enabled the team to quickly validate solutions and adapt them as the project evolved.
Results
The solution developed enables PNAT to remotely manage Fabbrica dell’Aria systems by continuously collecting data from environmental sensors and installed devices.
Operators can verify that the system is functioning correctly, perform preventive diagnostics, and adjust operating parameters without being physically present at the installation site.
By controlling irrigation, lighting, and ventilation, the platform maintains the optimal conditions for the microbial biomass responsible for the air purification process.
Air quality sensors also make it possible to compare the values measured before and after the biofilter, providing a tangible measure of the system’s effectiveness.
Vantaggi
- Centralized Control
All systems can be monitored and managed from a single platform.
- Simplified Maintenance
Remote diagnostics enable operators to quickly identify anomalies and reduce the need for on-site interventions.
- Measurable Performance
Air quality sensors provide an objective way to assess the effectiveness of the air purification process.
- Research Support
Continuous data collection provides valuable insights to support the development and improvement of the solutions designed by PNAT.
Conclusion
Thanks to the collaboration between PNAT and Develer, an innovative natural biofiltration system has been enhanced with a digital platform capable of monitoring its operation, collecting scientific data, and simplifying its management.
By integrating cloud technologies, IoT, and automation, Fabbrica dell’Aria is more than just a natural air purification system: it is a platform that makes a complex biological process monitorable, controllable, and measurable, opening up new opportunities for the adoption of Nature-based Solutions in indoor environments.