Natthapol Watthanawisuth

A Novel Wearable Electronic Nose for Healthcare Based on Flexible Printed Chemical Sensor Array

A novel wearable electronic nose for armpit odor analysis is proposed by using a low-cost chemical sensor array integrated in a ZigBee wireless communication system. We report the development of a carbon nanotubes (CNTs)/polymer sensor array based on inkjet printing technology. With this technique both composite-like layer and actual composite film of CNTs/polymer were prepared as sensing layers for the chemical sensor array. The sensor array can response to a variety of complex odors and is installed in a prototype of wearable e-nose for monitoring the axillary odor released from human body. The wearable e-nose allows the classification of different armpit odors and the amount of the volatiles released as a function of level of skin hygiene upon different activities.

Wireless black box using MEMS accelerometer and GPS tracking for accidental monitoring of vehicles

In this work, wireless black box using MEMS accelerometer and GPS tracking system is developed for accidental monitoring. The system consists of cooperative components of an accelerometer, microcontroller unit, GPS device and GSM module. In the event of accident, this wireless device will send mobile phone short massage indicating the position of vehicle by GPS system to family member, emergency medical service (EMS) and nearest hospital. The threshold algorithm and speed of motorcycle are used to determine fall or accident in real-time. The system is compact and easy to install under rider seat. The system has been tested in real world applications using bicycles. The test results show that it can detect linear fall, non-linear fall and normal ride with high accuracy.

Microclimate real-time monitoring based on ZigBee sensor network

Monitoring microenvironment at the farm level has recently become one of the hottest topics in precision agriculture. Zigbee technology is then the most prospective candidate for wirelessly networking those field sensors due to its low cost and power consumption and flexible architecture. The microclimate monitoring system in this research is a suit of equipments based on Zigbee networking to measure the air temperature and humidity in a vast area. Every sensor node works on a cluster tree topology which extends the point-to-point distance up to 1 mile (line of sight), allowing this system to cover large farm using less sensor nodes. A sensor node consists of a micro-controller unit connected with air temperature and humidity sensor chips which are packed in a cylindrical louvered housing to prevent fault air temperature and humidity data from solar radiation. Every sensor node uses energy from a solar cell charged by a charger circuit to a battery package that stores power for use during night time. An energy management scheme was implemented to optimize power use for sending and receiving data. The data from every node were sent to the receiver every 8–30 minutes, depending on backup energy status at each node. The humidity and temperature data are stored on a data-logging PC and only current data are displayed on website

A low-cost data-glove for Human computer interaction based on ink-jet printed sensors and ZigBee networks

In this paper, a data-glove based on new kind of sensors is presented as an alternative to expensive devices. These sensors were realized using a conductive polymer (PEDOT:PSS) thin film printed on glossy photo paper. To demonstrate the printed sensors, we constructed a data glove using such sensors and developed software for real-time hand tracking. Wireless networks based on low-cost ZigBee technology were used to transfer data from the glove to a computer. This data-glove is very useful in many contexts such as telerobotics, rehabilitation and HCI applications.

Gestural system based on multi-functional sensors and ZigBee networks for squad communication

In this paper, we have developed a communication system for military based on hand gestures which will be useful for squad communication. In particular, we present an electronic soldier glove that employs wireless networks based on low-cost ZigBee technology, multi-functional sensors such as accelerometer and flex sensor based input device for collecting and classifying hand gestures. This system delivers data output through computer display. Experimental results have proved the success of the proposed hand gesture recognition system that can adapt to communicate with multimodal signals to enhance visual signal in difficult and stressful environments where visual communication may not be possible.

A Zigbee-based wireless wearable electronic nose using flexible printed sensor array

A wearable electronic nose (e-nose) has been developed by integrating a low cost chemical sensor array with a wireless communication for applications in healthcare. Its sensing unit was fabricated by a fully inkjet-printing technique, comprising eight different sensor elements manufactured by varying printing patterns and sensing materials. These sensors have shown response to a wide variety of complex odors. A wearable e-nose prototype using Zigbee wireless technology was designed as a compact armband for monitoring the axillary odor released from human body. Preliminary results based on principal component analysis (PCA) could classify different odors released from the human body upon various activities.

The IoT wearable stretch sensor using 3D-Graphene foam

In this work, we have developed flexible and wearable Stretch Sensor based on the Internet of thing technology. These sensors were realized using a 3D-Graphene foam amalgam with Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS). To demonstrate the 3D-graphene foam sensors, we constructed an armband muscle measurement using such sensors and developed software based on IoT for real-time muscle expansion and stretch tracking. Wi-Fi was used to transfer data from the sensor to a cloud via web-socket based on Node.js. The data are display expansion of muscle on a website. This muscle stretch tracking is very useful in many contexts such as workout performance measuring, rehabilitation and tele-robotics application. The wearable stretch sensor is consisting of two pieces of 5 centimeters 3D-graphene foam strip and packed with clasped by conductive epoxy. For accuracy, at the end of sensor edge are coated with silver paste for better conductivity. Main CPU uses Intel Edison, which made the sensor connect to the Internet easier. In order to deploy this sensor with another application the ADXL335 was chosen as a 3-axis accelerometer for tracking of gestures or fitness tracking application. An accelerometer was attached to the down side of the Intel Edison main CPU board and including battery and analog to digital converter circuit.

Design for the next generation of wireless sensor networks in battlefield based on ZigBee

This paper describes the model of ZigBee wireless network employable in the battlefield. Wireless sensor network (WSN) technology has been known for scalability, carefree operation and easy installation. This proposed scheme is planned to adopt ZigBee wireless sensors network in the battlefield scenario using mesh and other network topologies within the remote large-scale environment based on the military requirement. Many sensors types are developed to save the soldier life under various critical situations, different infrastructure of battlefield and dynamic fighting environment in the theatre of war.

Design and development of data glove based on printed polymeric sensors and Zigbee networks for Human–Computer Interface

Current trends in Human–Computer Interface (HCI) have brought on a wave of new consumer devices that can track the motion of our hands. These devices have enabled more natural interfaces with computer applications. Data gloves are commonly used as input devices, equipped with sensors that detect the movements of hands and communication unit that interfaces those movements with a computer. Unfortunately, the high cost of sensor technology inevitably puts some burden to most general users. In this research, we have proposed a low-cost data glove concept based on printed polymeric sensor to make pressure and bending sensors fabricated by a consumer ink-jet printer. These sensors were realized using a conductive polymer (poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate) [PEDOT:PSS]) thin film printed on glossy photo paper. Performance of these sensors can be enhanced by addition of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) into the aqueous dispersion of PEDOT:PSS. The concept of surface resistance was successfully adopted for the design and fabrication of sensors. To demonstrate the printed sensors, we constructed a data glove using such sensors and developed software for real time hand tracking. Wireless networks based on low-cost Zigbee technology were used to transfer data from the glove to a computer. To our knowledge, this is the first report on low cost data glove based on paper pressure sensors. This low cost implementation of both sensors and communication network as proposed in this paper should pave the way toward a widespread implementation of data glove for real-time hand tracking applications. Implications for Rehabilitation Data gloves can interface the movements of hands to a computer, translating human needs to assistive functions such as controlling of home appliances. We have proposed a low-cost data glove concept based on printed polymeric bending and pressure sensor using consumer ink-jet printer. This low cost implementation of the printed sensors and Zigbee communication network as proposed in this paper should pave the way toward a widespread applications of data glove for real-time hand tracking in healthcare.

Design of mobile robot for real world application in path planning using ZigBee localization

This paper proposes a new path planning algorithm for a mobile robot applicable for realistic uses in farmland, which utilizes ZigBee localization, GPS and simple path learning from the GPS-Tractor tracking. The aim of this work is to verify a possibility in applying the ZigBee localization with GPS to estimate the tracking position of a mobile robot working in a farmland. To enhance robot mobility in a large area, human-supervised decision is implicitly incorporated into the path guiding using tracking data from the GPS tractor. Such development combining other systems to help in path guiding instead of operating only the standalone software on mobile robot could reduce the complexity of the path planning in complex farmland. We have applied this technology in a real-world situation at GranMonte Vineyard and Winery, Thailand.