Project

# Title Team Members TA Documents Sponsor
45 Programmable Ferrofluid Display
 Bradley Anderson
Hao Jen Chien
Thomas Coyle
 Luke Wendt appendix0.zip
design_document0.pdf
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final_paper0.pdf
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presentation0.pptx
proposal0.pdf
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For our project, our team would like to build a lower cost programmable ferrofluid display than is currently available. We would be building upon the work of the team which worked on a similar project last semester in order to make a more feature-filled device.
The previous group project used an array of permanent magnets which moved by electromagnets along tubes to manipulate the magnetic fluid. Instead, we propose to build a device with at least a 5x5 grid of permanent magnets attached to small servos.
We would also like to add a layer of IR sensors in an array between the magnets and the fluid. We can then use these sensors to return information about fluid distribution within the display. This will allow software controlling the display to more accurately maneuver the ferrofluid.
All of the magnets and sensors would be wired into a microcontroller, which will have an IO port for control from a computer. The microcontroller will provide an API for the computer to interact with the display, which will include functions for enabling/disabling individual magnets and returning a 2-dimensional array of the IR sensor values.
Ultimately, the project should cost approximately $300 to $400. For a 5x5 magnet display, we will need 25 magnets, servos, and IR sensors to interact with the ferrofluid. We will also need a watertight enclosure for the display, as well ferrofluid and a PCB and microcontroller to manage the servos and sensors. The servos should be the bulk of the cost. Comparatively, the sensors, other electronics, magnets, ferrofluid, and enclosure will be relatively inexpensive. We will be sure to acquire non-toxic ferrofluid for the project to minimize the risk of accidental poisoning.

Backpack Buddy - Wearable Proximity/Incident Detection for Nighttime Safety

Jeric Cuasay, Emily Grob, Rahul Kajjam

Backpack Buddy - Wearable Proximity/Incident Detection for Nighttime Safety

Featured Project

# Backpack Buddy

Team Members:

- Student 1 (cuasay2)

- Student 2 (rkajjam2)

- Student 3 (eegrob2)

# Problem

The UIUC campus is relatively a safe place. We have emergency buttons throughout campus and security personnel available regularly. However, crime still occurs and affects students walking alone, especially at night. Staying up late at night working in a classroom or other building can lead to a long scary walk home. Especially when the weather is colder, the streets are generally less populated and walking home at night can feel more dangerous due to the isolation.

# Solution

A wearable system that uses night vision camera sensor and machine learning/intelligence image processing techniques to detect pedestrians approaching the user at an abnormal speed or angle that may be out of sight. The system would vibrate to alert them to look around and check their surroundings.

# Solution Components

## Subsystem 1 - Processing

Processing

Broadcom BCM2711 SoC with a 64-bit quad-core ARM Cortex-A72 processor or potentially an internal microprocessor such as the LPC15xx series for image processing and voltage step-down to various sensors and actuators

## Subsystem 2 - Power

Power

Converts external battery power to required voltage demands of on-system chips

## Subsystem 3 - Sensors

Sensors

Camera - Night Vision Camera Adjustable-Focus Module 5MP OV5647 to detect objects in the dark

Proximity sensor - detects obstacle distance before turning camera on, potentially ultrasonic or passive infrared sensors such as the HC-SR04

Haptic feedback - Vibrating Mini Motor Disc [ADA1201] to alert user something was identified

# Criterion For Success

The Backpack Buddy will provide an image based solution for identifying any imposing figure within the user's blind spots to help ensure the safety of our user. Our solution is unique as there currently no wearable visual monitoring solutions for night-time safety.

potential stuff:

Potentially: GNSS for location tracking, light sensor for outdoors identification, and heartbeat for user stress levels

camera stabilization

heat camera

Project Videos