Raspberry Pi multispectral imaging camera system (PiMICS): a low-cost, skills-based physics educational tool

TL;DR

This paper presents PiMICS, a low-cost, multispectral imaging system built with Raspberry Pi for physics education and practical applications in developing countries, promoting active learning and capacity building.

Contribution

Development of a 3D-printable, affordable multispectral camera system for educational use that integrates skills in programming, spectroscopy, and systems engineering.

Findings

Students studied plant health and stress using PiMICS.

The system won a 'best-applied research' award at a conference.

The camera can support infrastructure in agriculture, recycling, and healthcare.

Abstract

We report on an educational pilot program for low-cost physics experimentation run in Ecuador, South Africa, and the United States. The program was developed after having needs-based discussions with African educators, researchers, and leaders. It was determined that the need and desire for low-cost, skills-building, and active-learning tools is very high. From this, we developed a 3D-printable, Raspberry Pi-based multispectral camera (15 to 25 spectral channels in the visible and near-IR) for as little as $100. The program allows students to learn 3D modeling, 3D printing, feedback, control, image analysis, Python programming, systems integration and artificial intelligence as well as spectroscopy. After completing their cameras, the students in the program studied plant health, plant stress, post-harvest fruit ripeness, and polarization and spectral analysis of nanostructured insect wings, the latter of which won the ``best-applied research" award at a conference poster session and will be highlighted in this paper. Importantly, these cameras can be an integral part of any developing country's agricultural, recycling, medical, and pharmaceutical infrastructure. Thus, we believe this experiment can play an important role at the intersection of student training and developing countries' capacity building.