Group 077-05: Kite Drones for Air Quality Monitoring

This week the bluetooth integration was finalized so that the reading could be transmitted to a device. The entire system was then tested using butane from a handheld lighter. The report and presentation was also completed this week. The group created a video of the whole device working and uploaded it to the presentation.

This week, the group finalized the box components which included printing the box handles and adding straps with buckles. The top was also completed using wood and velcro was added on the bottom. It was also discovered that the suction cups did not work according to the group's intention. The suction cup would only adhere to glass like surfaces whereas the velcro can adhere to virtually anything that the opposite velcro piece is on.

For week 8, our group assembled the 3D-model. We are also getting very close to obtaining readings from our sensors. We are only receiving readings from our smoke/heat sensor. We continued working on our presentation for week 9. We also ordered a new Bluetooth module as the one we previously ordered was for the receiving end of the Bluetooth rather than transmitting signals. We also worked on 3D printing a new handle as ours handles were a lot smaller than expected. Final box with cover lid on top Our handle(Unfortunately smaller than expected)

This week the group worked on the Final Report and printed the box in separate segments to fit inside the printer. It is necessary to print the box instead of using other means such as wood or cardboard to assure sturdiness and prevent flammability. The Final Report work was divided among the members to complete each section. These are the pieces that have been printed and will be assembled with the others once printing is completed. 

We finished prototyping the box, which has holes in it for airflow to get to the sensor. The box also has a top that opens so that the sensors can be switched out as needed. The suction cups will be able to be fitted onto the top of the box so that the box can be placed on most surfaces and stick with little to no trouble.

We further tested different codes and started to design the box/container using on CAD using Fusion360. We are also trying to devise a solution for the power source to charge the Arduino Board. The box we are designing is porous to allow air flow to reach the sensors. It will also have suction cups attached to it to mount to different surfaces. One power source that we've used in the past with the Arduino Board was super-capacitors. Another source that may be useful and a cheaper option could be using a battery. There are different ports in the Arduino that regulate the voltage. These power sources are still being researched along with Arduino tutorials.

During this week, all of the parts we ordered came in including and sensor kit, a bread board, a Wi-Fi receiver, a Bluetooth receiver, suction cups, and an Arduino Board. We started to try out different codes to work with sensors using tutorials online. We tested the carbon monoxide and gas smoke sensor. They each generated an output based on the air quality they detected. We have been looking to learn more codes and to integrate them using more sensors and the Wi-Fi and Bluetooth receivers.

This week's deliverables required us to solidify ideas for the design. We added details to the design proposal to identify the resources to use and the skills needed to complete the design. We also ordered parts we need to create the device. We decided to 3D print the box to hold the mechanism and are using an Arduino Board and software for the design. The budget and process was planned out in the design proposal. We plan to move further in the design process as we start to build. In the next week, we will plan out how we are going to program the Arduino Board to take the input and evaluate it, then generating an output for the user. The physical features will also be specified as we start to build and alter the plan according to the building process.

This week's goal was to create a project proposal, with concrete information about our idea. We made just adjustments to our initial idea and have started the planning process. We decided to make a box with various sensors that can be switched out and the box can be mounted to walls or attached to drones to test air quality. In the proposal, we planned out the budget, resources, and project timeline. We also plan to devise a way to get the recorded data to be communicated with the user either through light display, numerical display, graphical display, or a beeping indication.

The goal of Week 1 was to brainstorm several possible solutions for air quality testing. Our group conducted research and found that there are four main pollutants present in the air in the United States that include hydrocarbon, particular matter coming from diesel emissions, oxide, and carbon monoxide. These substances vary across different regions and affect the environment in different ways. The group also found that two very highly polluted cities are Los Angeles and Hong Kong. Some ideas we came up with included an autonomous air quality tester that navigates around a building like a warehouse or factory and continuously tests the quality of the air and records what areas have a higher concentration of pollutants. The idea we decided to implement is a drone that is controlled by a user with sensors that can detect carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxide in any given location. The intended use for this device is in large factories or warehouses where gas leaks are not easily detected...