Electronic Weed Control

C++
Analog
Arduino
Research
Usability
Documentation

This project’s goal is to create a device that electrocutes the weeds as an alternative to other weed killing methods. The device will be using a probe that would electrocute weeds using a high voltage that is stepped up using a transformer. After contact between the probe and the plant, the probe sends a high current through the probe, flowing out of the system into the plant material. The plant cells naturally resist this current which causes a rapid increase in temperature within the plant from point of contact down to the roots of the weeds. The temperature will heat up to the point which will cause the water inside to boil. The internal water boiling will cause rapid damage to the plant cells, causing cell death to the point where the integrity of the plant fails, thus leading to plant death. Its main power source would be a power supply, then stepped up using a voltage booster. Additionally, the system will utilize several sensors that will collect data from the probe, and the plant material, and be displayed to the user. The sensors being utilized are a current sensor, resistance sensor, moisture sensor, and temperature sensor. These sensors will be connected to an Arduino Microcontroller, and the data will be projected in two different methods. The first is a 2x16 LCD screen that will display the temperature reading being outputted from the probe, and the moisture reading of the plant material. The second method of displaying information is through the serial monitor on the Arduino IDE that will display constantly updated values over time of the voltage values from the power supply, the current values of the power supply, the power of the power supply, and the resistance of the system. The final product should have enough power to do so through all weather conditions.

0 Lifts 

Artifacts

Name Description
GUI Check-Off This artifact is a video checking the GUI block to ensure values are able to be collected from the Arduino going back into the serial port   Link
LCD Check-Off This artifact is a check off to ensure that the Arduino is able to process data from the sensors to be displayed onto the LCD, and have the LCD display the data   Link
GUI Check-Off Document This is the document that goes with the video   Download
LCD Check-Off Document The documentation that does with the LCD video   Download
Moisture Check-Off documentation The documentation that validates the moisture sensor   Download
Research Documentation The validation document made for the research block   Download
Probe Documentation The validation document made for the probe block   Download
Voltage Booster block The validation document made for the probe block   Download
Project Charter The document that includes important artifacts   Download
Moisture Sensor Check-Off This artifact is a video checking the moisture sensor block to ensure values are able to be collected from the Arduino going back into the serial port   Link
Project Closeout Summary of Project documentation.   Download
Executive Summary This is the summary of the project   Download
Project Summary Video Project successes, shortcomings and future improvements.   Link
Check-off Videos folder Google Drive folder with the requirement check-off videos.   Link
Voltage Booster Enclosure Design This is the design used to 3D print the enclosure we used to keep the voltage booster inside   Download