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4 Frugal Project Documentation4.1 Lichen Pollution SensorProject Members: Damien Bou%u00ebvinn Project OverviewThe Lichen Pollution Sensor is an innovative solution that uses lichens asbiological sensors to measure air pollution over time in urbanenvironments, providing an economical and environmentally friendlyalternative to conventional electronic sensors.Frugal technology approachThe core of our lichen-based pollution sensor project embodies the principle offrugal innovation, which is the ability to do more with less, a concept that isintegral to our approach. The frugal technology approach was achieved byleveraging available resources and reducing wastage, whilst keeping the projectdesign simple and accessible.In terms of materials, our frugal approach was reflected in the use of readilyavailable and cost-effective items. We used wood as our primary constructionmaterial due to its natural abundance and low cost. To turn lichens into anelectronic switch, we repurposed mechanical pencil leads, showcasing howeveryday items can be innovatively used in scientific applications. To bind ourcomponents together, we used pine resin as a natural and affordable adhesive.A crucial element of our frugal technology approach was the reuse andrecycling of components. We incorporated an old microcontroller into thedesign of our pollution sensor, thus extending its lifecycle and reducingelectronic waste. This not only saved costs but also aligns with the principlesof a circular economy.The design of the lichen-based pollution sensor is simple and intuitive, makingit easy for others to replicate and understand. The microcontroller we usedsupports a simplified version of Python (Micropython), making it accessible toa wide range of users, including those who may be new to programming. Thisease of replication and understanding is crucial for the widespread adoptionand potential scale-up of our technology.Finally, our frugal technology approach aligns closely with the goals of ourproject and the broader objectives of the CitEuroPass course and Nemeton.1624 Frugal Project Documentation