The Fab Lab of Independent University, Bangladesh (IUB) has partnered with Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University (SAU) to develop an Automation and Monitoring Device for Recirculating Aquaculture Systems (RAS) to address some long-standing challenges in water quality monitoring for fish farming. On January 29, 2025, the device was officially installed in one of the aquaculture research facilities on the SAU campus in Dhaka.

The project was jointly supervised by Dr. Mahady Hasan, Associate Professor of Computer Science and Engineering (CSE) and Director of Fab Lab IUB; and Prof. Dr. A. M. Shahabuddin, Chairman of the Department of Aquaculture at SAU. The team members were Tahfizul Hasan Zihan and Hana Sultan Chowdhury, both students of CSE at IUB; Shirazim Munir Deap, Adjunct Faculty of CSE; and Md Rubayed Mehedi, Research and Development Officer at IUB’s Department of CSE. They designed and refined the commercial prototype over several months before the official installation.

The device measures seven critical water parameters in real-time to ensure optimal fish health. It provides instant warnings when water quality deviates from ideal levels. It is Internet of Things (IoT)-enabled, storing collected data on a dedicated server for remote access and real-time updates. Farmers and researchers can log into a website or mobile app to view trends, download historical data, and receive customized notifications. Access to data is secured, allowing only authorized users to retrieve and modify information.

Prof. Shahabuddin said, “We introduced Asian seabass [locally known as Koral] in the freshwater Recirculating Aquaculture System (RAS) using a specially prepared formulated feed. The device now allows researchers to observe and track how environmental conditions affect fish growth and survivability during the experiment.”

He also said, “We are excited to explore how changing water parameters influence the growth and well-being of fish over time. This device will help us gather essential data, giving us insights to optimize feed and environmental factors for better aquaculture practices.”

This collaboration integrates agricultural science with engineering and IoT technologies to enhance aquaculture efficiency. Fab Lab IUB is exploring further applications of the device in other aquaculture systems and refining its features based on collected data. The initiative aligns with Bangladesh's focus on sustainable agriculture and efficient food production.

Emphasizing the importance of such partnerships, Dr. Mahady Hasan said, “We believe that integrating engineering with aquaculture systems can unlock transformative solutions for food security.”

The Fab Lab IUB is one of only a handful of advanced engineering fabrication facilities in the country that supports innovation, prototyping, and research in various fields, particularly within engineering, technology and sciences. The lab is equipped with cutting-edge tools and technologies that allow students and researchers to design, build, and test prototypes across diverse domains, including robotics, automation, and IoT.

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