ESE masters’ students Komalika Sunil Gaikwad and Siddharth Ramanathan, AKA, the Straw Hats, have designed a cutting-edge carbon monoxide detection system for ESE 5160 IoT Edge Computing. Aptly named CO-Away, the device will detect even the smallest traces of carbon monoxide.
“We want to make sure it doesn’t cause a prolonged effect on the human body,” Gaikwad explained. Through extensive research, the Straw Hats identified numerous cases of CO released through gas geysers, which heat bathrooms across India.
“Since Carbon Monoxide is a colorless and odorless gas, it’s not easy to detect, so we need a sensor specifically sensitive to Carbon Monoxide,” Gaikwad explained.
Their design process was twofold. First, the Straw Hats used the Altium software to design the PCB printed circuit board. Next, they wrote code for the PCB’s operation. To test its effectiveness, the Straw Hats will calibrate its sensor to detect CO through a spray test–in an enclosed space.
When implemented, their sensor will detect the most minute changes. Equipped with a filter, the CO-Away device has an exhaust system that turns on the moment 8-10 PPM of CO is detected, Gaikwad and Ramanathan explained. Subsequently, the fan remains on until the CO level returns to the safe range. If the CO level does not return to a safe range but instead rises, the device comes equipped with a buzzer, notifying users to leave. In doing so, it will alert users that the CO level has crossed the threshold value, making it hazardous to remain in the room.
Permissible CO ranges depend on the person. As such, they will set different limits based on the user, their needs, their age, and medical information. An elderly man and a pregnant woman would have much lower thresholds of tolerance than a healthy young adult, for example, Gaikwad and Ramanathan explained.
As for CO-Away’s IoT Edge Computing component, the Straw Hats have designed multiple systems to monitor CO in a building’s different floors through a single dashboard, Ramanathan noted.
When they’re not working, Gaikwad and Ramanathan watch anime. In fact, their love for anime-inspired their team’s name–the Straw Hats– or the pirates from the Japanese Manga series, One Piece.
Reaching consensus on their device’s name presented challenges. “Sid, being such a minimalist guy came up with CO-Go,” Gaikwad said, “Or Carbon Monoxide, Go.” This led to spirited conversations as well polls on Ed discussion until the name CO-Away coalesced.
With only a few weeks until the April 30th Design Day, the Straw Hats have several tests to complete once their cloud-shaped PCBs arrive–designed to resemble a gas, naturally.
The ESE 5160 Demo Day runs on Wednesday, April 30th from 8-10 at the Detkin Lab in Amy Gutmann Hall.