Project

# Title Team Members TA Documents Sponsor
103 Adaptive Solar Panel Canopy for Vineyard Microclimate Control
 Titouan Louis Matthieu Morel
Zikora Okonkwo
 Zhuchen Shao design_document1.pdf
final_paper1.pdf
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photo2.HEIC
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presentation1.pptx
proposal1.pdf
video
# Problem :
Climate change is increasingly threatening vineyards by exposing plants to heat stress and water scarcity. During hot, sunny periods, leaves can overheat, soil moisture evaporates rapidly, and crop yield and quality can decline. Growers currently lack a localized, automated system to manage sunlight and humidity at the plant level without frequent manual intervention or excessive irrigation.


# Solution
We propose an adaptive shading and microclimate control system that combines a motorized solar-panel canopy with a moisture-capture foam layer beneath it. By using environmental sensors such as soil moisture, air temperature, humidity, and light intensity we can continuously monitor the conditions around the plants. The system will automatically adjust the title and height of the panels to regulate sunlight exposure and local humidity. The foam layer captures and retains ambient moisture to further mitigate heat stress. By using real time data, the system can optimize plant protection and water conservation which will provide precise and low maintenance solution for growers.

# Solution Components

## Subsystem 1: Environmental Sensing
### Function:
Monitor the microclimate around plants to inform adaptive responses.
### Components:
Moisture sensor for soil → Capacitive sensor (DFROBOT SEN0193)

Air temperature & humidity sensor → DHT22

Light intensity sensor → BH1750

Microcontroller → Arduino Uno

# #Subsystem 2: Moving Canopy
### Function :
Thermal Protection : Orient the panels to cast shade over the plants

Humidity Management : Adjust the height and tilt to trap or release humidity of the air generated by water capturing layer
### Components :
Linear Actuators → Progressive Automations PA-14

Distance/Height Feedback → Ultrasonic distance sensor HC-SR04

Tilt Control → Stepper Motor NEMA 23 + IMU BNO055

Orientation Feedback → IMU Sensor (BNO055)


# #Subsystem 3: Water capturing Layer
### Function :
Absorption : Capture the humidity of the air when it’s high

Release : Release the water when it’s needed
### Components :
Hydrophilic medium → Polyurethane Foam

Moisture absorbing material → Calcium Chloride CaCl2


# Criterion For Success

Soil moisture retention is improved about 10-15% compared to uncovered soil during test periods

System operates autonomously for about 24hrs without manual intervention

Canopy height responds to local humidity levels where height adjusts within 60 seconds to increase or decrease humidity

Canopy tilt responds to changes in light intensity where the panel tilts within 30 seconds of sensor threshold breach

The air temperature at the plant canopy reduced by at least 3 degrees celsius under high solar exposure

# Demonstration :
For the demonstration, we propose building a microsystem that simulates an environment with a bell jar, a lamp, a hair dryer, and a humidity diffuser. The demonstration will focus on showing the system’s response to an increase in temperature as well as on measuring and capturing humidity. We also propose adding a display to check the sensor readings and lowering the thresholds for the demo.

Electronic Replacement for COVID-19 Building Monitors @ UIUC

Patrick McBrayer, Zewen Rao, Yijie Zhang

Featured Project

Team Members: Patrick McBrayer, Yijie Zhang, Zewen Rao

Problem Statement:

Students who volunteer to monitor buildings at UIUC are at increased risk of contracting COVID-19 itself, and passing it on to others before they are aware of the infection. Due to this, I propose a project that would create a technological solution to this issue using physical 2-factor authentication through the “airlock” style doorways we have at ECEB and across campus.

Solution Overview:

As we do not have access to the backend of the Safer Illinois application, or the ability to use campus buildings as a workspace for our project, we will be designing a proof of concept 2FA system for UIUC building access. Our solution would be composed of two main subsystems, one that allows initial entry into the “airlock” portion of the building using a scannable QR code, and the other that detects the number of people that entered the space, to determine whether or not the user will be granted access to the interior of the building.

Solution Components:

Subsystem #1: Initial Detection of Building Access

- QR/barcode scanner capable of reading the code presented by the user, that tells the system whether that person has been granted or denied building access. (An example of this type of sensor: (https://www.amazon.com/Barcode-Reading-Scanner-Electronic-Connector/dp/B082B8SVB2/ref=sr_1_11?dchild=1&keywords=gm65+scanner&qid=1595651995&sr=8-11)

- QR code generator using C++/Python to support the QR code scanner.

- Microcontroller to receive the information from the QR code reader and decode the information, then decide whether to unlock the door, or keep it shut. (The microcontroller would also need an internal timer, as we plan on encoding a lifespan into the QR code, therefore making them unusable after 4 days).

- LED Light to indicate to the user whether or not access was granted.

- Electronic locking mechanism to open both sets of doors.

Subsystem #2: Airlock Authentication of a Single User

- 2 aligned sensors ( one tx and other is rx) on the bottom of the door that counts the number of people crossing a certain line. (possibly considering two sets of these, so the person could not jump over, or move under the sensors. Most likely having the second set around the middle of the door frame.

- Microcontroller to decode the information provided by the door sensors, and then determine the number of people who have entered the space. Based on this information we can either grant or deny access to the interior building.

- LED Light to indicate to the user if they have been granted access.

- Possibly a speaker at this stage as well, to tell the user the reason they have not been granted access, and letting them know the

incident has been reported if they attempted to let someone into the building.

Criterion of Success:

- Our system generates valid QR codes that can be read by our scanner, and the data encoded such as lifespan of the code and building access is transmitted to the microcontroller.

- Our 2FA detection of multiple entries into the space works across a wide range of users. This includes users bound to wheelchairs, and a wide range of heights and body sizes.