HOBO MX1101 in use at the Idemitsu Museum
The Idemitsu Museum of Arts in Tokyo is using HOBO Bluetooth data loggers to reduce data collection time by 75% while improving the conservation of priceless art objects in climate-controlled display cases.
Staff at the Idemitsu Museum of Arts in Tokyo, which is responsible for preserving valuable works of art such as paintings and East Asian ceramics, have long relied on temperature and relative humidity (RH) data to ensure optimal environmental conditions in the museum's exhibition spaces and separate storage facility.
Traditionally, the museum used analog devices such as hygrographs to monitor conditions. Later, they moved to portable data loggers, which allowed for more accurate measurements and better management of data sets. However, data collection was still laborious and time-consuming and also required the climate-controlled display cases to be opened to remove the loggers when downloading the data.
Solution approach
To streamline the monitoring process, museum staff turned to the HOBO MX1101 Temp/RH data loggers. These easy-to-install, battery-powered, Bluetooth-enabled loggers work with a mobile device or Windows laptop running Onset's free HOBOconnect app. This allows users to configure the logger and download data wirelessly when they are within 100 feet. Users also have the option to add an MX gateway for remote IoT monitoring with access to data in the HOBOlink cloud software platform, as well as text and/or email alarm notifications when conditions exceed set thresholds. 20 HOBO MX1101 loggers were deployed in the galleries and display cases of the Idemitsu Museum, and 15 loggers were located in the warehouse.
Since the deployment of the HOBO MX1101 loggers, continuous monitoring of the museum's indoor environment is more efficient and convenient than ever before. With wireless data download capability, museum staff can now easily retrieve data without disturbing the environment of valuable objects housed in display cases. They no longer need to turn off the alarm system before entering the Japanese Team Room exhibition area to collect data, as they can now download data wirelessly from a distance of 100 feet.
In addition, the compact, lightweight design of the HOBO MX1101 loggers easily lends itself to monitoring the temperature and humidity conditions of artwork being transported to and from museum storage. Overall, the Bluetooth monitoring solution has streamlined data collection and management, ensuring that the museum's valuable assets are preserved for visitors to enjoy now and in the future.
Setting up and reading the loggers used to take an hour, but now we can do the job in 15 minutes.