Via Hackster.io, the OpenCTD project, which aims to create a low-cost and readily-accessible open source conductivity, temperature, and depth (CTD) sensor for oceanographic research, has officially launched revision two of its design — now built around an Adafruit Feather M0 Adalogger development board.
CTDs come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and applications. Most oceanographic vessels have a CTD connected to a rosette system, which can house other instruments and collect physical water samples in parallel with real-time data collection. CTDs are also commonly attached to moorings, autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs), remote-operated vehicles (ROVs), and, on occasion, marine animals.
Commercial CTDs are expensive, with the most affordable models costing as much as $6,000.00. The expense of the CTD is a barrier-to-entry for formal and informal researchers working with limited budgets.
The latest model – now using Adafruit Feather
The OpenCTD can be built in two days by someone with no electronics experience using parts available from hardware stores, electronics suppliers, Adafruit.com as well as a few 3D-printed components for about $300. It is rated to depths of 140 meters, providing access to the majority of the world’s continental shelf for a fraction the cost of a traditional research cruise.
Read more about OpenCTD and how true sensor data collection can be done economically:
- Southern Fried Science – Next-gen low-cost open source oceanographic instrument – OpenCTD
- Hackster.io – OpenCTD Project Switches to Adafruit Feathers for Revision Two of Its Oceanographic Data Loggers
- OpenCTD GitHub repo
See the Feather line of affordable microcontrollers and sensors on Adafruit.com
Read more about Feather on Awesome Feather
