Project

# Title Team Members TA Documents Sponsor
57 Consumer device which indicates real-time signals [Pitched Project]
 Bipin Ghimire
Brian Oh
Sakar Karki
 Jialiang Zhang
#Problem: The urgent challenge of climate change has driven focus on energy production's carbon intensity. Yet, the real-time carbon impact of electricity consumption remains obscure to consumers. Existing models do not provide instantaneous feedback on the carbon intensity (CO2e/MWh) of electricity from local grids. This gap prevents consumers from making informed decisions to reduce their carbon footprint actively.

#Solution We propose a real-time carbon intensity indicator for residential consumers. This device will visually and audibly alert users to the current and changing carbon intensity of their local grid's electricity. The product will leverage this data to prompt automated energy consumption reduction during high grid strain or suggest energy-efficient appliances.

The pitch states “the function would be to get a residential electricity consumer to see and hear an indicator, whether via light, notification popup, or a sound which alerts them to either a current state or a changing state of real-time carbon intensity on their local grid. As the basic device matures, the business would be built around using this information to automate reductions in energy consumption overall or at times of grid strain, or identify more energy efficiency appliances, both with direct carbon reduction impacts.” Green, yellow, and red LEDs to show good, OK, bad, and a similar set of sounds. The product is wifi-enabled wall plug with a light and speaker controlled by a small circuit.

#Solution Components ##Subsystem 1: Real-Time Data Acquisition and Communication This subsystem will acquire real-time carbon intensity data from sources like ElectricityMaps, WattTime, and similar services. It will use the Wi-Fi module (ESP32) to fetch and communicate data to the indicator.

##Subsystem 2: User Interface Indicator Involves a set of LEDs (Green, Yellow, Red) and a speaker to provide visual and auditory feedback based on the real-time data. Part numbers: Green LED (WP710A10SGC), Yellow LED (WP710A10SYC), Red LED (WP710A10SRC), and a small speaker (CUI CMS-0361KLX). It will also provide a potential user input button (MDPSLFS) to trigger and automate energy-saving actions.

##Subsystem 3: Control and Automation Logic This will use a microcontroller (ESP32P) to process the data and control the LED and sound alerts. It will also interface with home automation systems to control energy consumption based on carbon intensity. AC prongs (Q-910) will also be used to be able to plug the device into the power outlet for power data and as a power source.

#Criterion For Success Our project's success will hinge on the following testable goals:

Accurate display of real-time carbon intensity with less than a 60-second lag from the data source. The ability to trigger and automate energy-saving actions in response to high carbon intensity readings. User-friendly interface that clearly communicates the current state and changes in carbon intensity to the consumer.

Interactive Proximity Donor Wall Illumination

Sungmin Jang, Anita Jung, Zheng Liu

Interactive Proximity Donor Wall Illumination

Featured Project

Team Members:

Anita Jung (anitaj2)

Sungmin Jang (sjang27)

Zheng Liu (zliu93)

Link to the idea: https://courses.engr.illinois.edu/ece445/pace/view-topic.asp?id=27710

Problem:

The Donor Wall on the southwest side of first floor in ECEB is to celebrate and appreciate everyone who helped and donated for ECEB.

However, because of poor lighting and color contrast between the copper and the wall behind, donor names are not noticed as much as they should, especially after sunset.

Solution Overview:

Here is the image of the Donor Wall:

http://buildingcampaign.ece.illinois.edu/files/2014/10/touched-up-Donor-wall-by-kurt-bielema.jpg

We are going to design and implement a dynamic and interactive illuminating system for the Donor Wall by installing LEDs on the background. LEDs can be placed behind the names to softly illuminate each name. LEDs can also fill in the transparent gaps in the “circuit board” to allow for interaction and dynamic animation.

And our project’s system would contain 2 basic modes:

Default mode: When there is nobody near the Donor Wall, the names are softly illuminated from the back of each name block.

Moving mode: When sensors detect any stimulation such as a person walking nearby, the LEDs are controlled to animate “current” or “pulses” flowing through the “circuit board” into name boards.

Depending on the progress of our project, we have some additional modes:

Pressing mode: When someone is physically pressing on a name block, detected by pressure sensors, the LEDs are controlled to

animate scattering of outgoing light, just as if a wave or light is emitted from that name block.

Solution Components:

Sensor Subsystem:

IR sensors (PIR modules or IR LEDs with phototransistor) or ultrasonic sensors to detect presence and proximity of people in front of the Donor Wall.

Pressure sensors to detect if someone is pressing on a block.

Lighting Subsystem:

A lot of LEDs is needed to be installed on the PCBs to be our lighting subsystem. These are hidden as much as possible so that people focus on the names instead of the LEDs.

Controlling Subsystem:

The main part of the system is the controlling unit. We plan to use a microprocessor to process the signal from those sensors and send signal to LEDs. And because the system has different modes, switching between them correctly is also important for the project.

Power Subsystem:

AC (Wall outlet; 120V, 60Hz) to DC (acceptable DC voltage and current applicable for our circuit design) power adapter or possible AC-DC converter circuit

Criterion for success:

Whole system should work correctly in each mode and switch between different modes correctly. The names should be highlighted in a comfortable and aesthetically pleasing way. Our project is acceptable for senior design because it contains both hardware and software parts dealing with signal processing, power, control, and circuit design with sensors.

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