About ES-Mask:

ES (Environmental Sense) Mask focuses on the hazards associated with volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in indoor environments. VOCs are gases emitted from a wide range of products and processes commonly found in indoor settings, such as paints, cleaning agents, and building materials. Exposure to VOCs can lead to various health issues, including respiratory irritation, headaches, and VOC can cause cancer. To address this issue, the project proposes a remote air quality monitoring system using an Arduino Nicla Sense ME board as a sensor and an Arduino MKR WiFi 1010 as a monitor. The system can measure Air Quality Index, VOC Gases, Carbon Dioxide, Temperature, and Humidity in real-time and communicate the data to an Android application. The system is compact and portable, making it suitable for monitoring air quality in a range of indoor settings. Overall, the project emphasizes the importance of monitoring VOC levels in indoor environments and taking action to reduce exposure. By identifying potential sources of pollution, the system can help promote public health and support efforts to reduce VOC emissions.

Hardware Setup:

Our hardware setup involves a mask that integrates the Nicla Sense ME board as a remote sensor for measuring air quality parameters such as air quality index, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) gases, temperature, carbon dioxide, and humidity. To facilitate data transfer and power supply, we use an Eslov cable to connect the Nicla Sense ME board to the Arduino MKR WiFi 1010. The SCL (Serial Clock) and SDA (Serial Data) pins of the Arduino MKR WiFi 1010 are connected to an OLED 0.96 display module, which displays real-time air quality index data. In addition, we incorporate an LED light strip, a fan, and the Nicla ME board's +5 volt supply and ground, which is provided by the Arduino MKR WiFi 1010. The LED light strip changes color according to the air quality index reading. Overall, our hardware setup is a compact and portable solution that allows for real-time monitoring of air quality, providing immediate feedback on the quality of the air being breathed in.

EXPANDED TECHNICAL DETAILS:

The hardware design of ES-Mask focuses on integrating high-performance sensor technology with user flexibility. Its main components are as follows:

Arduino Nicla Sense ME (Sensor Node): The heart of the system is a miniature board, measuring only 22.86 x 22.86 mm, which houses the intelligent Bosch BME688 sensor. This sensor not only measures temperature and humidity but also utilizes AI technology and a gas sensor capable of detecting Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) and hydrogen gas at parts per million (ppm) levels.
Arduino MKR WiFi 1010 (Processing Hub): Functions as the central hub for data processing and management. Data from the Nicla Sense ME is transmitted to the MKR 1010 via an Eslov cable (I2C interface), ensuring stable data communication and simultaneous power delivery between the boards.
Visual Interface & Feedback:
- OLED 0.96" Display: Connected via the I2C protocol (SCL and SDA pins) to display IAQ values and various statuses as text.
- LED RGB Light Strip: Used to indicate air quality status with colors (Visual Cue), changing colors according to the level of air contamination (e.g., green for good quality and red when pollutant levels exceed the threshold).
- Active Cooling Fan: The system includes a fan to facilitate thorough airflow over the sensor, improving the accuracy of measured values.

System Logic and Data Processing

For the software logic, we designed a synchronized operation between the two boards:

Data Acquisition: The Nicla Sense ME retrieves data from the BME688 sensor using the Arduino_BHY2 library to access Virtual Sensors such as SensorIAQ and SensorBSEC. This data is then converted into digital values ready for transmission.
Communication Bridge: Via the Eslov cable, data is pulled into the Arduino MKR WiFi 1010. In this part, we use value mapping logic to control output devices. For example, if the IAQ value exceeds 100 units, the system will command the LED Strip to change to orange or red and increase the fan speed to ventilate the air.
BLE Transmission: For wireless connectivity, the Nicla Sense ME enables BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) to transmit data to smartphones, using the principles of Service and Characteristic, allowing the application to retrieve and display data quickly and power-efficiently.

About ES-Mask Application :

The ES-Mask has programmed to get BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) Connection in Nicla Sense ME to Mobile App. After the Nicla got connected, we can click the "Notify" Button to start Notify the Data from Nicla Sense ME. The Data would be displayed in the "PROP" tab area. To stop the live notification we have to click "Stop Notify" Button.

EXPANDED TECHNICAL DETAILS:

The ES-Mask application was developed to allow users to remotely monitor air quality. The operation process begins with a BLE connection between the Nicla Sense ME and a smartphone:

Connection: Users search for the device and connect via the in-app menu.
Data Notification: Once connected, users can press the "Notify" button to start receiving real-time data streams. Information such as VOC and IAQ values will be continuously updated in the "PROP" tab.
Control: To stop receiving data and conserve power, users can immediately press the "Stop Notify" button. This is a BLE interrupt management mechanism that helps reduce the processing load on both the phone and the sensor itself.