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(1) Learn how students are changing the world one project at a time

"Learn how students are changing the world one project at a time" is a 9-part series from a group of Hong Kong students who are using innovative engineering to improve their community and ultimately the world. Take a look at what these students have created.

Air Cleaner Controller

The air cleaner controller is designed to measure the air quality by releasing chemical substances in the event the air quality is not good (see Figure 1-1). It has two parts: one is a hardware box where a set of sensors detect temperature, humidity, formaldehyde and PM 2.5 in the air. A LCD is installed to display information. The information will also be sent to a PC server (i.e., the second part: software part) through Bluetooth. A mobile phone can access the information through a web browser. Moreover, the mobile then sends a command to the hardware box through the PC server to release some chemical substances if the air quality is not good (see Figure 1-2.)

Figure 1-1: Prototype

Figure 1-2: Block diagram

Now the hardware that detects the air quality is built,  tests are carried out (see Figure 1-3 and 1-4). A LCD is connected to the microcontroller to show the measurement (see Figure 1-5). The team then confirms that the temperature and humidity measurement is correct. Now they are going to test for formaldehyde and PM 2.5 in the air. For now, the hardware part that releases chemical substances is still under development.

A mobile app is built so that it connects the hardware and shows the measurement and controls whether the chemical substances should be released or not (see Figure 1-6).

Figure 1-3: The hardware to do the measurement

Figure 1-4: The hardware to do the measurement

Figure 1-5: A LCD to show the measurement

Figure 1-6: Mobile app

Find out more about what other engineering students are developing

1. Air Cleaner Controller: a prototype to measure the air quality 

2. Tracking Watch: : a hardware device that allows you never to get lost even if you do not have a GPS signal

3. Virtual Paper: a drawing system that needs ot pens or surfaces draw

4. Parking+: a smart parking system that allows you to find the best available parking

5. Ultimate BBQ Helper: a device that allows any beginner to create perfectly cooked BBQ food

6. MyFeeder: a feeding system for pets for busy families

7. Toiletries Manager: the system manages all bathroom products through an inventory system

8. China Wizard Chess: a system that enables anyone to play chess with their voice

9. Smart Plant Watering System:  a designed system that waters plants automatically

Organizer "Microcontroller Application Design Contest (2016-17)" Department of Electronic and Information Engineering The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
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