Semi-Automated Water Quality Monitoring Device

This CAD model was jointly created in Onshape with peer Ashton Flather. The sensor tube at the bottom of the raft has holes to promote water flow so that the sensors can be placed inside and protected from harsh elements in waterways such as rocks, weeds, and boats. The electronics are stored in waterproof housing (small grey box) nested inside of larger water-resistant housing (clear tupperware box) for extra protection from the elements. Four plastic 2-gallon buckets filled with marine foam keep the wooden raft afloat, and a large octagonal raft design prevents tipping. 

This is the full physical assembly of the semi-automated water quality monitoring device. Waterproof fittings allow sensor wires to run out of the electronics box and down into the sensor tube. An Arduino UNO with a data shield records measurements of salinity, pH, water depth (sonar), water temperature, and dissolved oxygen at designated increments (TBD based on battery usage). One significant challenge was our budget, which limited the materials we were able to use. We opted to save up for important electrical components (i.e. high-quality sensors) and use repurposed wood, pipe, and buckets for cost-effective raft construction. 

In addition to the CAD model, my contributions include:

- Building the wooden raft, mounting the pipe, mounting waterproof housing

- Electronics layout

Other contributors: T. Flowers, P. Stewart , A. Flather, S. Schultz, B. Devoe, C. Conrad, I. Maher, L. Goldsmith