Project
| # | Title | Team Members | TA | Documents | Sponsor |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 48 | Electrochromic Bird-Friendly Windows |
Mary Rose Farruggio Owen Thamban Phoebe Chen |
Abhisheka Mathur Sekar | design_document4.pdf final_paper2.pdf photo1.jpg photo2.png photo3.jpg presentation1.pdf proposal1.pdf |
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| PROJECT TITLE: Electrochromatic Bird-Friendly Window Team Members: Mary Rose Farruggio (maryrf2) Phoebe Chen (phoebec2) Owen Thamban (thamban2) PROBLEM Each year, roughly one billion birds in the U.S. die due to collisions with windows (Loss n.p.). Even birds that are only temporarily stunned and fly away often die later due to bruising and internal bleeding. During the day, windows reflect the sky and foliage which can often seem inviting to birds. In the evenings the glass of windows is often invisible to birds and nocturnal migrants have the highest rates of window collision fatalities. SOLUTION We intend to make bird friendly windows that make the birds aware of the presence of a hard surface in front of them and will deter them from approaching. Our system will detect birds using ultrasonic sensors and image processing. Then, we will use electrochromic glass to turn the surface of the window in the section closest to the bird opaque so that the birds are aware of the surface’s presence. Furthermore, we will deter the birds from approaching once they are recognized by the camera by using quick-flashing ultraviolet light in the 300-380 nm spectrum, which is visible to birds but not humans. To demo the system we will use LEDs in the visible human range, but the final system will use UV LEDs of the correct frequency light emission. PARTS NEEDED -4 sample panels of electrochromic glass (We will be providing the funds to purchase these) -4 Ultrasonic sensors Digi-Key Part Number 1528-2711-ND : https://www.digikey.com/en/products/detail/adafruit-industries-llc/3942/9658069?utm_adgroup=Temperature%20Sensors%20-%20NTC%20Thermistors&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Shopping_Product_Sensors%2C%20Transducers_NEW&utm_term=&utm_content=Temperature%20Sensors%20-%20NTC%20Thermistors&gclid=Cj0KCQiA8t2eBhDeARIsAAVEga3-LKmSwy4SyDMLpOr_Q5RPnhG3XU94vhnl-hMCGgMaYcTvqeA6XF4aAudnEALw_wcB -12 UV LEDs Digi-Key Part Number 1125-1281-ND: https://www.digikey.com/en/products/detail/marktech-optoelectronics/MTE340H41-UV/4965461?WT.z_cid=sp_1125_buynow&s=N4IgTCBcDaILIBUCiBmALABgBJoIwFoBVANRAF0BfIA&site=us -Custom PCB -Raspberry Pi (already acquired) -Arduino Uno (already acquired) -Access to a 3d printer for printing the window frame OVA VGA Camera Module (640x480 pixels; 30 fps) -Power Supply SOLUTION COMPONENTS IMAGE PROCESSING SUBSYSTEM When no objects are detected, we will use a camera to record an image of the grid every minute. If an object is detected we can compare the image pixels, delete the background, and use edge detection to make the bird’s outline standout. This will give us a more precise location for the approaching bird to direct our flashing UV light subsystem. MOTION SENSOR GRID SUBSYSTEM Our ideal design would incorporate ultrasonic sensors on the frame surrounding the electrochromatic panels. The frame will extend several inches in front of the panels that make up the window and the ultrasonic sensors will point across the window in both the horizontal and vertical directions. When the ultrasonic sensors detect a change in distance greater than some threshold amount (which will be determined experimentally later in development), it will mean some object (i.e., a bird) has crossed through the frame of the window. When an ultrasonic sensor detects such a disruption, it will send a signal to the PCB to initiate the flashing UV LEDs in that area. FLASHING ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT SUBSYSTEM Flashing lights are often used as an effective means of dispersing birds in unfavorable roosting areas, since they are effective but nonviolent. Our system will use UV LEDs with a peak wavelength of 340 nm. While birds can see light with frequencies from 300-400 nm, humans are only able to detect light with frequencies of 380-700 nm, so the flashing light pattern will be disruptive and act as a deterrent to the birds’ approach while having no effect on passing humans. The UV light subsystem will be activated only when an approaching bird is detected. ELECTROCHROMIC GLASS SUBSYSTEM When a bird is detected by the ultrasonic sensors within a certain section of the window, that section will turn from transparent to opaque by changing the voltage across the electrochromatic panel. The ultrasonic sensors will be placed at regular intervals along the x and y axis of the window frame, such that by knowing which ultrasonic sensors have detected a change in distance we can locate the section of the window which the bird has approached. By turning only a section of the window opaque rather than the entire window, we hope to create less of a disruption for individuals within the building. CRITERION FOR SUCCESS The system can successfully detect when a bird is approaching or in close proximity. The system can turn the correct electrochromatic panel opaque. The system can direct ultraviolet light in the 300-380 nm range at an approaching bird. LINK TO WEB BOARD https://courses.engr.illinois.edu/ece445/pace/view-topic.asp?id=72512 SOURCES Loss, Scott R., et al. “Bird–Building Collisions in the United States: Estimates of Annual Mortality and Species Vulnerability.” The Condor, vol. 116, no. 1, 2014, pp. 8–23., https://doi.org/10.1650/condor-13-090.1. “The Science behind Sageglass.” SageGlass, https://www.sageglass.com/products/how-electrochromic-glass-works. |
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