Final Project¶
Aeroboom-Smart Aeroponic Tower
Purpose¶
This project aims to develop a sustainable device that reduces water usage and addresses agricultural land shortages in Bahrain by utilizing soilless techniques for plant growth. The system is designed for both indoor and outdoor use, maximizing space efficiency while producing higher yields. It aligns with Bahrain’s vision of enhancing food security and reducing reliance on imported vegetables by enabling local production of organic, pesticide-free crops. The project demonstrates how an Arduino-powered aeroponic tower can facilitate efficient, soil-free plant growth through precise water and nutrient delivery in a compact setup.
Problem-Solving:¶
The aeroponic tower provides a solution to the inefficiencies of traditional soil-based agriculture by:
- Reducing water consumption.
- Optimizing space utilization.
- Ensuring better growing conditions for plants.
- Contributing to food security in Bahrain.
Process and Steps:¶
- Design: Created a vertical, space-efficient aeroponic tower structure.
- Integration: Installed a Xiao-ESP32C3 microcontroller to manage system operations.
- Sensors: Incorporated devices to monitor water level, humidity, temperature, and light levels.
- Automation: Programmed schedules for automated watering and lighting.
- Alert System: Added a Wi-Fi-enabled notification feature for real-time updates.
Flowchart:
The flowchart will provide a visual representation of the system’s processes, such as sensor input, microcontroller decisions, and actuator actions. It will show how each component interacts to achieve optimal plant growth, from water pumping to light regulation and automated alerts.
Design Choices:¶
- Compact Vertical Design: Maximizes space efficiency for urban or small-scale environments.
- Modular Components: Enables easy maintenance and adjustments.
- Closed-Loop System: Minimizes water waste by recycling unused water.
Electronics Choices:¶
- Microcontroller: Xiao-ESP32C3 for system control.
- Water Pump: Delivers water and nutrients efficiently.
- Growth Lights: Provides optimal lighting for photosynthesis.
- DHT11 Sensor: Monitors humidity and temperature.
- Buzzer: Alerts users when water levels are low.
- OLED Screen: Displays real-time data on system performance.
- Light Sensor: Measures light intensity and activates growth lights as needed.
- Water Level Sensor: Tracks water levels in the tank.
These components were chosen for their reliability, ease of integration, and low power consumption.
Story of Electronics:¶
The Xiao-ESP32C3 microcontroller serves as the system’s brain, integrating sensors (humidity, temperature, light, and water level) with actuators (water pump and lights). This creates a real-time, responsive system that ensures optimal plant growth while minimizing resource use.
Target Audience:¶
The aeroponic tower is designed for:
- Urban gardeners.
- Small-scale farmers.
- Enthusiasts interested in sustainable and soil-free farming methods.
Future Improvement Plans:¶
- Adding a pH level sensor to monitor and maintain nutrient solution balance.
- Introducing an automatic nutrient feeder for seamless operation.
- Enhancing system automation using AI for adaptive growing conditions.
- Expanding the system to support larger-scale setups.