For the past 10 years or so, science has been uncovering some pretty mind-blowing things regarding the airborne microplastics threatening our fragile environment. Even more alarmingly, there is strong evidence that the air in our own homes is becoming increasingly unsafe.
While there are scientists dedicated to research in this field, gathering the sheer quantity of samples needed to make accurate discoveries has labs and specialists stretched thin. That also means it takes longer to analyse data and enact swift, meaningful solutions to our mounting eco problems. That’s not great news when time is definitely of the essence. If only there was a way to collect more samples, from more places, more quickly, and combine them all in one place…
So much science, so little time
A solution was almost painfully obvious, but it took a stroke of genius in one trailblazing university programme to harness and develop it. That’s where Dr Ben Williams, a research fellow with the Air Quality Management Resource Centre at the University of West England, comes in. The answer was…us. Everyday citizens. We’re not scientists, but what we are is a ready-made army of eco-warriors. And, as it turns out, we can all help the “science bit” along, so that the actual scientists can get to the “solutions bit” faster.
Dr Williams and his team figured that out: enlist the population at large to help in the fight against airborne microplastics. In conjunction with the Biotechnology and Biological Research Council, they created a project entitled Homes Under the Microscope. Using microscopes and settle plates designed to collect microplastics, this innovative scheme would allow citizens in homes across the country to submit their own air samples to one localised website.
From there, those samples would go on to be analysed on a larger scale. The UWE team just needed a way to take that dream and make it a practical, functional, dynamic reality. But this was a very specific endeavour, and it required a very specific, sophisticated platform, with inventive custom functionality and complex integration.
And here, dear readers, is where Soto enters this extraordinary tale.
Soto to the rescue
Of all the possible web developers out there, how did UWE come to choose Soto? Well, luckily for UWE, Dr Williams was already aware that Soto had the knowledge and expertise to make it happen:
“We had a really good experience with Soto in the past on a project called Upstream. Soto helped design the Shape Our City platform for that project, and it felt very natural to come back to them and re-engage.”
The brief was fairly straightforward. On the surface, UWE needed Soto to build a website that would showcase Homes Under the Microscope, and allow volunteers to get all the information they needed to take part. But the UX also needed to provide a way for the volunteers to apply and upload their results. This would prove to be easier said than done.
Well, they say that even the most complicated journey begins with a single step, and for this journey, Dr Williams contacted Zoey O’Neill, Managing Director of Soto. As she explains, the set-up process was the first step in making the science dream become a tangible reality:
“We started by speaking to the [UWE] team about the process that volunteers would go through, from start to finish – from registering, getting an account, receiving their test kit, to submitting their data and beyond. From there, we were able to look at the user journey through the website and come up with a solution that fit within their budget.”
Once the idea was laid out, the Soto web development team went to work… and that’s when the real technological, behind-the-scenes magic started.
Science meets Soto high-tech magic
Dr Williams knew what they were asking was going to be complicated; in fact, he wasn’t sure it was even possible. But he did have faith, believing that if anyone could figure it out, it would be the team of talented developers at Soto:
“It’s quite tricky to embed an analytical tool and then have an open space where images and samples can be displayed – with open access for everyone to use. We had needs in terms of usability and accessibility. … Soto worked with us to co-create the platform and make that happen. It’s quite tricky to make an analytical tool work and embed easily alongside the typical information you find on a website. But Soto have been really good at supporting that process, enabling it and making it work.”
To make the accessibility and functionality of this ground-breaking UWE endeavour possible, it would require the application and integration of their Python tool, that could process the images and scientific data uploaded by participants. The problem was that the PHP used by WordPress CMS is made for web development, but it’s not a suitable programming language for image processing. And therein lay the challenge for Soto’s development team: create that link between Python and WordPress.
After some testing with the Apache server, Soto’s team found that the solution for the UWE site would be to build in a command line application. This would allow the WordPress PHP and Python to communicate effectively while collecting and formatting the data being received.
Even if you don’t quite understand the “how” behind all the tech, the important thing is that the team at Soto made it work. The end result created a solution that bridged the gap between Dr Williams’s vision and the fully-functional reality of Homes Under the Microscope.
All in a day’s work for Soto!
Anything is possible…
We strive to customise solutions, and work hand-in-hand with our clients to shape and create their vision. And we know that just because something hasn’t been done before, it doesn’t mean it can’t be done. It’s part of our drive and desire to make blueprint dreams become website reality, with plenty of room to grow.
In Dr Williams’ case, the platform Soto developed for Homes Under the Microscope was only the beginning. It will serve as the foundation for an even more extensive sampling regime. This will become available to people in other areas of the country, growing as needed to accommodate the influx of data.
“We’re grateful to have [Soto] within the project in terms of developing that platform for us. And it’s such an integral part of the project, because citizens are using that data too. We are very grateful for [Soto’s] involvement.”
If Soto can help change the world with UWE and Dr Williams, just imagine what we can do for your website! Get in touch with us today and let’s make tomorrow better, together.
