Project

# Title Team Members TA Documents Sponsor
7 Electronic Page Turner
 Adia Radecka Jakubczak
Alyssa Bradshaw
Javi Cardenas-Magana
 Raman Singh final_paper1.pdf
other1.pdf
photo1.png
photo2.png
presentation1.pdf
proposal2.pdf
video
# Electronic Page Turner

Team Members:
- Javi Cardenas (jcarde28)
- Adia Radecka (aradec2)
- Alyssa Bradshaw (akb5)

# Problem:

Page turning is required when reading a book. This is typically done with one's hands, which can be an inconvenience for those wishing to multitask while reading, such as playing an instrument or using a cookbook while cooking. This is a challenge for both avid readers and people with disabilities. There are hands-free page turners that exist, but most are expensive and typically designed for electronic reading on tablets.

# Solution:
The solution for this problem will use three different subsystems: actuation, sensors, and power. Our solution is unique because it is a hands free page turner for a physical book that can turn an unlimited number of pages.

# Solution Components:

## Actuation Subsystem:
- Stand with a Lever/Arm
- This would be controlled by servo motors to turn the pages
- Two would be needed to flip pages forward and backwards
- Adjustable levers to accommodate different sized books

## Power Subsystem:
- Uses batteries to power required subsystems and allow for portability

## Sensor Subsystem:
- Button (easy) Using a foot pedal to turn the page forward and backwards

_If we are able to meet the minimum requirements for success, we will try to implement the following bullet points:_

- Audio (medium) Using a microphone to turn pages forward when “Next” is said and backwards when “Back” is said
- Vision (hard)
Computer vision would be used alongside a camera to flip the page. It would be placed on the bottom left and right corners near the book and use some sort of facial cue in order to turn the page.

_If we are able to meet the minimum requirements for success, we will try to implement the following subsystem:_

## Processing Subsystem:
- A screen that displays the total pages flipped and how many pages were flipped in one sitting. This can help bookmark where you left off.
- Include a timer to keep track of how much time you have read i.e. if someone wants to read for 30 mins the device can make a sound letting the user know the time is up.


## Criterion for Success:
- A stand for the book with levers for turning pages in the book
- Has to be able to flip one page at a time, forward and backward
- Should be able to go through all the pages in a book
- Must be able to flip the pages using a foot pedal

Tesla Coil Guitar Amp

David Mengel, Griffin Rzonca

Featured Project

# Tesla Coil Guitar Amp

Team Members:

* Griffin Rzonca (grzonca2)

* David Mengel (dmengel3)

# Problem:

Musicians are known for their affinity for flashy and creative displays and playing styles, especially during their live performances. One of the best ways to foster this creativity and allow artists to express themselves is a new type of amp that is both visually stunning and sonically interesting.

# Solution:

We propose a guitar amp that uses a Tesla coil to create a unique tone and dazzling visuals to go along with it. The amp will take the input from an electric guitar and use this to change the frequency of a tesla coil's sparks onto a grounding rod, creating a tone that matches that of the guitar.

# Solution Components:

## Audio Input and Frequency Processing -

This will convert the output of the guitar into a square wave to be fed as a driver for the tesla coil. This can be done using a network of op-amps. We will also use an LED and phototransistor to separate the user from the rest of the circuit, so that they have no direct connection to any high voltage circuitry. In order to operate our tesla coil, we need to drive it at its resonant frequency. Initial calculations and research have this value somewhere around 100kHz. The ESP32 microcontroller can create up to 40MHz, so we will use this to drive our circuit. In order to output different notes, we will use pulses of the resonant frequency, with the pulses at the frequency of the desired note.

## Solid-state switching -

We will use semiconductor switching rather than the comparably popular air-gap switching, as this poses less of a safety issue and is more reliable and modifiable. We will use a microcontroller, an ESP 32, to control an IR2110 gate driver IC and two to four IGBTs held high or low in order to complete the circuit as the coil triggers, acting in place of the air gap switch. These can all be included on our PCB.

## Power Supply -

We will use a 120V AC input to power the tesla coil and most likely a neon sign transformer if needed to step up the voltage to power our coil.

## Tesla Coil -

Consists of a few wire loops on the primary side and a 100-turn coil of copper wire in order to step up voltage for spark generation. Will also require a toroidal loop of PVC wrapped in aluminum foil in order to properly shape the electric field for optimal arcing. These pieces can be modular for easy storage and transport.

## Grounding rod -

All sparks will be directed onto a grounded metal rod 3-5cm from the coil. The rest of the circuit will use a separate neutral to further protect against damage. If underground cable concerns exist, we can call an Ameren inspector when we test the coil to mark any buried cables to ensure our grounding rod is placed in a safe location.

## Safety -

Tesla coils have been built for senior design in the past, and as noted by TAs, there are several safety precautions needed for this project to work. We reviewed guidelines from dozens of recorded tesla coil builds and determined the following precautions:

* The tesla coil will never be turned on indoors, it will be tested outside with multiple group members present using an outdoor wall outlet, with cones to create a circle of safety to keep bystanders away.

* We will keep everyone at least 10ft away while the coil is active.

* The voltage can reach up to 100kV (albeit low current) so all sparks will be directed onto a grounding rod 3-5cm away, as a general rule of thumb is each 30kV can bridge a 1cm gap.

* The power supply (120-240V) components will be built and tested in the power electronics lab.

* The coil will have an emergency stop button and a fuse at the power supply.

* The cable from the guitar will use a phototransistor so that the user is not connected to a circuit with any power electronics.

# Criterion for Success:

To consider this project successful, we would like to see:

* No safety violations or injuries.

* A tesla coil that produces small visible and audible 3-5cm sparks to our ground rod.

* The coil can play several different notes and tones.

* The coil can take input from the guitar and will play the corresponding notes.

Project Videos