Unmanned Aerial Vehicle for Vertically Profiling Ultrafine ...

Virginia Commonwealth UniversityVCU Scholars Compass

Capstone Design Expo Posters College of Engineering

2016

Unmanned Aerial Vehicle for Vertically ProfilingUltrafine Particle DistributionAhmed AlmutawaVirginia Commonwealth University

Ola SaadehVirginia Commonwealth University

Mudaher AlkhawajahVirginia Commonwealth University

Grant CareyVirginia Commonwealth University

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Unmanned Aerial Vehicle for Vertically Profiling Ultrafine Particle Distribution

Team Members: Ahmed Almutawa, Ola Saadeh, Mudaher Alkhawajah, Grant Carey Faculty Adviser: Dr. Daren Chen

Theory and Functionality Design and Fabrication Application and Testing

- HV

E

Classifier

+ HV

Charger

Detector

The ultrafine particle sizer electrically charges particles sampled from ambient air, classifies them based on their size-relative charge, and measures the number of charged particles via a Faraday cage.

Theoretical Function Diagram

The above theory was used to develop a miniature electrical particle sizer to increase the sizer’s mobility and decrease the package size, while retaining the sizing capability

The main project objective is to develop an aerodynamic, structurally sound, and tightly fitting casing to house the device components. SOLIDWORKS was utilized to model the device components and to design the shape and features of the casing. Assembly method, fixation of all components, and maintainability were key factors for consideration in the design.

Top Cover – Provides space and mounts for LCD readout screen and raspberry pi USB connections. Inner Plate – Provides platform

for all device components and electronic controls.

Casing Shell – Surrounds all device components, provides mounting surface for pumps, switches, power input, and other casing components. Utilizes several ventilation slots to allow heat dissipation.

Side Panel – Allows access to system components requiring regular maintenance.

Base Plate – Provides access to the electronic control boards below inner plate, as well as anchor points for inner plate legs.

The casing was fabricated using a uPrint 3-D printing machine. ABS plastic material was chosen for it’s high strength and low cost. All screws used for fixtures are 4-40 UNC stainless steel.

Pollution source monitoring - Ultrafine particles (UFPs) are classified as particles with the diameters less than one tenth of a micrometer (100 nm). These particles are typically byproducts of combustion processes such as automobiles. Health and toxicity study – Recent human health studies show that UFPs may play a key role in the development of pulmonary and cardiovascular diseases as well as lung cancer. Air quality monitoring - due to the recent links between ultrafine particles and human health, three dimensional UFP monitoring capabilities are in high demand, especially for people living in cities or in the communities in close proximity to highways. EPA Standards – The United States EPA has begun tracking UFPs for future air quality monitoring.

Vertical profiling of

aerosol particles

Monitoring air pollution in “SMART CITIES”

Early fire detection in

office, hospital and residual

buildings

Industrial worker

protection and hygiene

e-UPS

Test measurements will be conducted using a weather balloon filled with helium to generate the lift required to fly the ultrafine particle sizer until an electronic UAV can be fabricated and implemented. The final goal of the project is to accurately measure ambient ultrafine particle concentration in a vertical profile using a hovering drone. Using a drone allows users to take vertical aerosol profile measurement very efficiently. It is important to take the measurement in a reasonably large geographical region in order to accurately depict the concentration change over time and space.

Component, Wiring, and Flow Schematic