Integration of IoT and Digital Technologies in Adaptive Lighting Systems to Optimize Microalgae Synthesis

Abstract

The integration of Internet of Things (IoT) with embedded microcontroller systems offers new opportunities for improving environmental control in bioprocess applications. This study presents the development and testing of an IoT-enabled adaptive lighting system designed to optimize the synthesis of microalgae in controlled aquatic environments. The system employs an ESP32 interfaced with a DS18B20 water temperature sensor and an analog pH sensor to monitor key environmental parameters in real time. Based on sensor feedback, the system dynamically adjusts the intensity of LED lighting to maintain optimal photosynthetic conditions for microalgae cultivation. The control logic is embedded in the microcontroller using threshold-based decision rules and pulse-width modulation for energy-efficient LED control. Field testing was conducted in a photobioreactor over several days, where the system demonstrated reliable performance in maintaining light conditions between 50 and 70 µmol m⁻² s⁻¹, while responding adaptively to changes in water temperature and pH levels. The integration of IoT significantly enhanced user interaction, remote diagnostics, and process traceability. The results indicate that the proposed adaptive lighting system can improve the sustainability and productivity of synthesis. It also serves as a practical model for implementing low-cost, sensor-driven digital control systems in small-scale and biotechnology applications