Our project is an attempt at helping reduce the number of waste people generate from leftover food and trash. The PPTD is a living waste remover like any trash can that breaks it down through the use of worms and bacteria to use leftover resources for a better use rather than letting it sit and take up space. 

Our first idea of the PPTD was a simple box that would dissolve waste and food through acid and carried away leftover remains to a containment unit. After researching the negatives and cost of acids we turned to the idea of composting to break down our waste and food into biomass which can be repurposed again.

Once we figured out the main concept we began with 3-D printing the different body parts of the PPTD through several attempts of incorrect size and shape. After that we designed and cut out a lid with a flap that allows the user to push back the lid while throwing away trash. We then used a bowl to allow users to see the bottom, including the worms and the real-time process of composting. With this we hope other methods and other types of trash can be used with the PPTD along with future uses of leftover biomass.

Bioluminescence--Visualized Music

Our project is a bioluminescent device that is supposed to light up and make sounds as it is dark outside with motions sensed by the ultrasonic sensor. The motif is just to imitate the fluorescent algae which glow in the dark.

My project is basically a device reflecting the fluorescent algae in the nature. We found that the energy conversion in this biological phenomenon very interesting, so we decided to apply this concept in our device which could make up a system of fascinating decorations. Our original idea is to visualize music through the conversion of sound energy to light energy. However, we realized later that a piezo buzzer and photoresistor were more available, so we decided to flip the direction of the conversion of energy. 

Our project aims to imitate the energy conversion manifested in fluorescent algae. We first convert light energy to sound energy. When there is no light in the environment, which should be detected by the light sensor, the Arduino chipboard will have the buzzer go off. When people hear the music from the buzzer, they will dance around the source. When this motion is detected by the ultrasonic sensor, another the Arduino chipboard will have the LED light turned on. In order for the LED light not to affect the source of darkness in the first place, we decided to have LED lights separate from sensors in the device. 

The mood scarf is inspired by the chameleon. Chameleons change color based on their mood, their body temperature, and the light surrounding them. Because mood is directly correlated with temperature, we decided to incorporate a temperature sensor into our project. The temperature sensor takes a person's body temperature, and the code we have created translates the temperature into a color for a mood. For example, the angrier one is, the hotter her body temperature. If someone wearing the scarf is particularly angry, or hot, the LED lights throughout the scarf will appear red. 

Originally, we planned on making a headband rather than a scarf. We ended up choosing a scarf because it can easily conceal the 3D-printed necklace that holds the electronics necessary for our project. The temperature sensor is also able to easily touch the neck of the wearer, which generally gives an accurate measure of body temperature.

Throughout the course of this project, we have used an Arduino Micro to hold and process our programming code. This code is what enables the temperature to be translated into a color, which is then displayed by the LED lights.

The first day we made in-depth sketches of what we want our project to look and to determine how it will function. We also figured out the materials we need to make our first model.  For our project, we are 3D printing everything. In Fusion, I made the leaves for our venus fly trap, the ball we are going to be shooting, and the pipe the ball is going through which eventually will shoot out towards the user. I have been working on mechanics which means working on making the things that make the leaves open and close. With the help of Ryan, we have figured out on how our project is going to look and function. These past two weeks have been the most productive weeks we have ever had. In the next class we worked on planning how the project is going to look and function. We decided to paint everything green to look authentic and realistic. We were waiting on our main part to arrive, which was the body. The body we ordered consisted of a duct hose that was  easily bendable. Now that we have the duct hose we can finally finish our project.  This week has been very productive. We received our duct hose and determined the perfect size for the pipe. We made a laser cut platform for the Arduino and the servos.  Next class the goal is to put the project together and make the mechanism that will move the leaves.  We are hoping to be putting the finishing touches on everything very soon.