Final Design 

Figure 1: Flowchart of Final Design

Step 1: Collect real-time data from the GAMRY impedance potentiostat instrument and export real-time data files to Matlab for data analysis. 

Step 2: Conduct statistical analysis on the impedance spectra data we received from our sponsor’s laboratory to come up with a metric to compare other experiments against. We normalize the data via scaling to compare the impedance spectra models and further determine a metric to achieve a targeted impedance spectra. 

Step 3: Control and regulate the temperature of a standard kitchen toaster oven. This is achieved with the use of a closed-loop controller, a solid-state relay, and a k-type thermocouple. 

Step 4: Ensuring that Arduino is collecting the temperature and MATLAB is in communication with Arduino to analyze this data. 

Step 5: Combine MATLAB data analysis coding with Arduino temperature controller. 

Step 6: Test our combined controllers and parameters using a reversible nanocomposite cell (procured by our sponsor’s lab), simulating the lab’s experimental process while successfully implementing our controls to achieve a desired impedance spectra, and thus, achieve our desired material. 

Final Design Components

Our final design consists of:

1. Arduino board: acts as an on/off temperature controller  

2. K-type thermocouple: reads the temperature inside the oven  

3. Thermocouple breakout board: to send thermocouple data to and from Arduino 

4. Metal-salt composite cell: iron chloride/lithium chloride composite - provided by our sponsor 

5. Standard toaster oven: to place the nanomaterial cell inside 

6. Gamry galvanometer/potentiostat instrument: measures impedance spectra of nanomaterial cell 

7. Electrical box: includes the solid-state relay to control the oven (on/off switch) 

• The Arduino will be used to regulate the oven’s temperature via an on/off control based on a target impedance spectra measured from the Gamry instrument

• Matlab and the Arduino software will be communicating serially to update a setpoint temperature as impedance data is collected through the Gamry

Performance Results

Accomplishments: 

• Successful communication between GAMRY and MATLAB

• Successful reading of temperature via thermocouple cable

• Successful statistical analysis via MATLAB:

  • Ability to know when the nanomaterial composite has reached equilibrium

  • Ability to compare data with multiple spectra 

• Successfully achieve target spectra through our control method