Materials
Arduino Uno: the codes are processed here.
USB A to B cable: connects the Arduino Uno to the computer.
Breadboard: a station to hold the circuit.
A handful of jumper cables: breadboard friendly, easy to use.
Fan: gives wind when the motor starts. Serves as the output.
Motor: gives power when applied current. Motivates the fan.
Moisture sensor: detects the moisture in the substance and gives data back for processing.
Some water: just something to play with the moisture sensor.
Circuit
Processes
Roger and I decided to play with the moisture sensor and wanted to build circulation. The idea was, a piece of wet tissue covers the sensor and the Arduino sends the signal to let the motor motivates the fan, and the fan will dry out the tissue and stop itself from working.
We encountered some problems. First, we weren’t sure the output range of the moisture sensor. So, we tested it and learnt that when dipped into water, the highest data could reach over 500. Then, we had trouble writing the code. Mainly, we didn’t know if we should use the ‘Servo’ combo or just treat it as a regular output and use the ‘analogWrite’ code. One of the assistants directed us into using the regular ‘analogWrite’ code. Finally, we wanted to map the data collected from the sensor into the range that at some point motivates the motor. But the motor never worked. Again, one of the assistants told us that the mapped data may not be enough to power the motor. And we changed the code into an if condition.
Reflection on the questions
Question 1
Roger and I played with the moisture sensor. It could be used to detect the moisture of the soil, and the fan can be replaced by heating machines and watering machines. If the data collected falls below a certain number, the watering machines work and make the soil wetter. If the date rises above a certain number, the heating machines work and make the soil dryer. Farmers can use it to monitor their field.
Question 2
I think of this as standing on the shoulder of a giant. With all the recipe and tutorials created beforehand, we may build more complicated stuff upon those. That’s why we post our work online for everybody to see. Maybe one day, one of my old projects will become someone else’s inspiration. And somehow, I feel like I contributed as well.
Question 3
I noticed one major difference between a generation that was not exposed to computers until mid-life and my generation who was exposed to computers pretty much the entire life. When my parents want to contact me, they call me. But I will wechat them. Somehow, our way of communicating is much more distant. However, in terms of connecting the whole world, computers bring people so much closer. We can wechat our friend in another city, another country. I believe it won’t be long until we can wechat someone on another planet.