The document describes the design and development of a cloud-based thermometer using an Arduino and Amazon DynamoDB. Key aspects include: 1) The thermometer is intended to remotely monitor and record temperatures in laboratories to prevent loss of samples from unnoticed temperature fluctuations. 2) It uses an Arduino board connected to sensors to measure and transmit temperature data to a DynamoDB database in the cloud, allowing remote access from computers and smart devices. 3) Challenges included calibrating thermistor temperature sensors, debugging software and hardware, and designing the system to meet requirements for accurate and consistent readings, alerts, battery life, durability, and FDA approval if used in biological settings.

1. Fabrication of Cloud Based Thermometer using Arduino and DynamoDB
Audrey McNicholas, Matthew Tice, Katy Pieri, Evan Krentzel
Department of Bioengineering, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY 13210
Laboratories consist of multiple machines and incubators
where temperature control is imperative. Unnoticed system
failure can cause system temperatures to go out of range
resulting in loss of samples and costly expenses.
Design, build, and evaluate a thermometer that has the
capacity to record and store data in a cloud based server
that can be accessed by computers and smart devices.
Background Circuitry DesignDynamoDB
Functional
Requirements/Constraints
Budget
Product Cost
NTC Thermistor DIA 23mils ADJ LEAD
W/STUBEND GLASS COAT
$60.75
NTC Thermistor DIA 11mils ADJ LEAD
W/STUBEND GLASS COAT
$19.77
10K Precision Epoxy Thermistor 3950 NTC $4.00
micro OLED breakout LCD 13003 $14.95
Arduino Yún $66.64
Arduino Uno FREE ($25)
Adafruit HUZZAH CC3000 WiFi Shield with
Onboard Antenna
FREE ($40)
Adafruit HUZZAH CC3000 WiFi Breakout with
Onboard Antenna - v1.1
$34.95
PTFE - EXTRUDED NATURAL VIRGIN SHEET
PTFE, Polytetrafluoroethylene
$40.24
Circuitry components, 3D printing FREE
Total (to this date) $241.30
Amount remaining $258.70
Acknowledgments
Thanks to the Syracuse University College of Engineering
and Computer Science for the resources and facilities
throughout this project. Additionally thanks to Dr. Zachman,
as well as our client from Welch Allyn, Henry Joe Smith III.
Temperature readings: Consistent and accurate temperature
readings, must be able to differentiate the difference
between programmed drop in temperature and a
temperature error.
Battery: Rechargeable power source for the thermometer
and circuitry, Capable of monitoring a system for an
extended period on a single charge.
Probe: Flexible sensor will allow for better temperature
measurements in hard to reach places.
Alerts: Sent to computer or smart device when temperature
has gone out of the user set range.
Size: Small enough to fit in an application (incubator/HPLC)
without taking up valuable space.
Durability: Drop resistant, shatterproof, waterproof, heat
and cold resistant device. Capable of withstanding extreme
temperatures (-80 °C to 200 °C); handle liquid and
corrosive environments.
FDA approved: If used in hospitals or other biological
settings, then it must be bioinert.
Testing Protocols
Calibrating the Thermistor
Three temperatures: ‘ice cold,’ ‘lukewarm,’ and ‘hot’
After calibration, coefficients to Steinhart-Hart equation obtained
A: -0.002169122934 B: 0.000757873106 C: -0.000001888936
Coefficients obtained for 10K Precision Epoxy Thermistor 3950 NTC
Handshake: Between the server and smart device
IAM: Gives WiTS root access, specific access to read-only users
Temperature Table: Records wireless readings that will be
displayed
Communication: Integrates Amazon resource name into
master Arduino code
Access-key: Customized per user
Alarms: A text message or e-mail can be sent to specific users if
the server records temperature outside of a pre-set range
Laboratory Use: Ideal for lab settings giving those in charge
more control, and choice in who is alerted with alarms
Coding: Arduino Programming language is a C derivative in combination with
Python
Troubleshooting
Hardware: Reevaluation of the circuitry components (rewiring of the digital
input/output pins, additional pins and different pins used when converting from
Yún to Uno and when rewiring from Breakout and Shield, soldering of wires to
reduce overall circuit size and improve wire connections and durability).
Software: Inserted “Serial.PrintIn()” statements into our Arduino Sketch’s
library to debug the point at which call functions stopped receiving input and then
fixed the specific call function’s arguments, minor script changes in sketch, master
code derived from Adafruit tutorial “Cloud Thermometer” from Tony DiCola,
consulted Arduino open source community for additional changes/suggestions,
slight code conversions from C++ (utilized by Yun library) to C (utilized by Uno
library).
CAD Design
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Future Work/Areas for Improvement
Integration of Sensitive Thermistor: Calibrate NTC Thermistor DIA 23mils ADJ
LEAD W/STUBEND GLASS COAT
Integration of OLED: Live temperature display
Manufacturing: outsource production-move away from Arduino
Marketing: Contact lab heads
Arduino Code: Streamline code for specific uses
DynamoDB: Expand read/write capacity, look into own server