Real-Time Environmental Monitoring Systems for Texas Tech University’s Research Labs

- Background -

Imagine working with thousands of biological samples that are crucial to your research. Now, imagine if something went wrong—like a freezer malfunction or a power outage—and your samples were at risk. That’s exactly the challenge Texas Tech University (TTU) faced when it came to safeguarding nearly 10,000 research samples.

To solve this, TTU teamed up with MOCREO, a company specializing in real-time environmental monitoring systems. With a system designed to track the conditions of samples stored across multiple locations, TTU was able to ensure the stability and safety of its research materials. So, how did they do it?

Let’s dive into the details!

- Customer Overview -

First, let’s get a sense of why this matters. TTU’s Natural Resource Management Team is responsible for nearly 10,000 samples stored across nine different freezers in three buildings across two campuses. These biological samples are essential to TTU’s research into natural resources, and their integrity must be maintained at all times.

Now, imagine trying to check on these samples manually. Every freezer is in a different building, and with so many samples to protect, ensuring each one stays at the right temperature becomes a logistical nightmare. TTU needed a solution that could watch over these freezers and alert them the moment something went wrong—no matter where they were located. That’s where MOCREO stepped in.

- The Challenges of Monitoring Research Labs -

When TTU began looking for a monitoring solution, they encountered a few major obstacles. What were these challenges, and why did they need such a precise system?

1. Freezers Spread Across Multiple Locations: One of the biggest challenges was that the freezers were spread out across different buildings and campuses. This made it difficult to create a centralized monitoring system. TTU needed a way to keep an eye on all the freezers at once, even though they weren’t in the same place.

2. Wi-Fi Issues: Another problem was the campus Wi-Fi network. While TTU had a strong 5 GHz network, not all devices supported it. Although there was a 2.4 GHz guest network available, it had frequent password changes, which made it unreliable for long-term monitoring.

3. Environmental Monitoring Needs: Finally, it wasn’t just about the freezer temperatures. The surrounding environment—like the air temperature and humidity—also needed to be monitored. These factors can affect how well the freezers function, so TTU required a system that could track not only the freezers but also the surrounding areas.

With all these challenges in mind, TTU needed a real-time monitoring system that was reliable, easy to use, and could be accessed remotely.

- MOCREO’s Tailored IoT Monitoring Solution for TTU -

So, how did MOCREO design an IoT environmental monitoring system that could meet TTU’s needs? They used smart technology and careful planning to design a system that met all of TTU’s needs.

1. MOCREO IoT Hub for Real-Time Monitoring: First, MOCREO IoT Hub was installed at the main campus to serve as the central system for collecting and transmitting environmental data in real-time. By leveraging LAN connections, the hub ensures stable and reliable data flow, bypassing issues often caused by unreliable Wi-Fi networks. This approach guarantees seamless monitoring and continuous oversight, which is essential for any real-time environmental monitoring system.

2. ST5 Temperature Sensors with Probes: MOCREO deployed ST5 temperature sensors to monitor the freezers themselves. These sensors keep a close eye on the exact temperature inside each freezer, ensuring that every sample stays within the ideal temperature range. If there’s any change, researchers at TTU will be alerted immediately—there is no need to wait until it’s too late.

3. Temperature and Humidity Sensors (ST6): In addition to freezer monitoring, ST6 sensors were installed around the freezers to measure the ambient conditions. Why is this important? Because if the surrounding temperature changes, it could affect the freezer’s ability to function properly. These sensors provided TTU with a comprehensive environmental monitoring setup, covering both internal and external conditions.

- The Key Benefits of MOCREO’s Environmental Monitoring System -

Now that we know how environmental monitoring systems work, let’s talk about their benefits. What did Texas Tech University gain from installing MOCREO’s real-time monitoring system?

Reliable Connectivity

The IoT Hub’s LAN-based system ensured stable connectivity, even across multiple locations. No more worrying about weak Wi-Fi signals or constantly changing passwords. TTU could rely on the system to keep running 24/7.

Remote Access and Alerts

With the MOCREO mobile app, researchers at TTU could check on their samples from anywhere. Whether on campus or at home, they could monitor the freezers and receive instant alerts if anything went wrong. This real-time response capability greatly reduced the risk of sample loss due to temperature fluctuations.

Scalable and Expandable

TTU’s initial setup involved one IoT Hub and six sensors. However, as their needs grow, they can easily add more hubs and sensors to the system. The scalability ensures the system can expand as the university’s research efforts grow.

Improved Efficiency

Before this system was in place, TTU researchers had to perform manual temperature checks—a time-consuming process. Now, the system does it for them automatically. This has allowed the researchers to focus more on their actual work instead of spending time on maintenance.

- Conclusion -

A real-time environmental monitoring system is essential for research labs that manage sensitive samples or materials. Thanks to MOCREO’s real-time monitoring system, Texas Tech University has found a reliable way to protect its invaluable research samples. The system’s ability to provide real-time alerts, offer remote access, and expand as needed has given TTU researchers the peace of mind to focus on their important work. Whether you’re managing a small lab or a large research facility, an automated system can safeguard your work, allowing you to focus on what really matters: groundbreaking research.

Do you want to learn how MOCREO can help protect your valuable research materials or sensitive environments? Visit MOCREO’s website to explore our tailored monitoring solutions for complex environments like universities, laboratories, and more.