Development of Auto Thermal Control Device For Space Air - Conditioning

Auto Thermal Control device is an electronic based device which employs the application of temperature sensors to controlling household appliances without human interference directly. In this work, thermal source is used to regulate electrical fan and room heater depending on ambient temperature. The room heater, which is adjusted to a set temperature, switches ‘ON’ when the temperature of a room is low (cold). While the same is switches ‘OFF’ with increase in the room temperature. This triggers ‘ON’ an electric fan at different speeds, and thus cools the room. A temperature sensor, tthermistor, monitors change in room temperature. Two types of thermistor exists: Positive Temperature Coefficient, PTC. An increasee in the resistance of PTC results in increasee in temperature). In the Negative Temperature Coefficient, NTC; a decreasee in resistance yields to temperature increase. This article explored a NTC thermistor. The design could be a ready product in the market of the developing nation where environmental automation is yet fully deployed.

Algorithm Execution Time and Accuracy of NTC Thermistor-Based Temperature Measurements in Time-Critical Applications

This paper addresses the challenges of selecting a suitable method for negative temperature coefficient (NTC) thermistor-based temperature measurement in electronic devices. Although measurement accuracy is of great importance, the temperature calculation time represents an even greater challenge since it is inherently constrained by the control algorithm executed in the microcontroller (MCU). Firstly, a simple signal conditioning circuit with the NTC thermistor is introduced, resulting in a temperature-dependent voltage UT being connected to the MCU’s analog input. Next, a simulation-based approximation of the actual temperature vs. voltage curve is derived, resulting in four temperature notations: for a look-up table principle, polynomial approximation, B equation and Steinhart–Hart equation. Within the simulation results, the expected temperature error of individual methods is calculated, whereas in the experimental part, performed on a DC/DC converter prototype, required prework and available MCU resources are evaluated. In terms of expected accuracy, the look-up table and the Steinhart–Hart equation offer superior results over the polynomial approximation and B equation, especially in the nominal temperature range of the NTC thermistor. However, in terms of required prework, the look-up table is inferior compared to the Steinhart–Hart equation, despite the latter having far more complex mathematical functions, affecting the overall MCU algorithm execution time significantly.

Semi-Automatic Lab-on-PCB System for Agarose Gel Preparation and Electrophoresis for Biomedical Applications

In this paper, a prototype of a semi-automatic lab-on-PCB for agarose gel preparation and electrophoresis is developed. The dimensions of the device are 38 × 34 mm2 and it includes a conductivity sensor for detecting the TAE buffer (Tris-acetate-EDTA buffer), a microheater for increasing the solubility of the agarose, a negative temperature coefficient (NTC) thermistor for controlling the temperature, a light dependent resistor (LDR) sensor for measuring the transparency of the mixture, and two electrodes for performing the electrophoresis. The agarose preparation functions are governed by a microcontroller. The device requires a PMMA structure to define the wells of the agarose gel, and to release the electrodes from the agarose. The maximum voltage and current that the system requires are 40 V to perform the electrophoresis, and 1 A for activating the microheater. The chosen temperature for mixing is 80 ∘C, with a mixing time of 10 min. In addition, the curing time is about 30 min. This device is intended to be integrated as a part of a larger lab-on-PCB system for DNA amplification and detection. However, it can be used to migrate DNA amplified in conventional thermocyclers. Moreover, the device can be modified for preparing larger agarose gels and performing electrophoresis.

Automatic Lab on PCB System for Agarose Gel Preparation and Electrophoresis for Biomedical Applications

In this paper, a prototype of an automatic lab on PCB for agarose preparation and electrophoresis is developed. The dimensions of the device are 38×34 mm2 and includes a conductivity sensor for detecting the TAE buffer (Tris-Acetate-EDTA buffer), a microheater for mixing, a NTC thermistor for controlling the temperature, a LDR sensor for measuring the transparency of the mixture, and two electrodes for performing the electrophoresis. The agarose preparation functions are governed by a microcontroller. The device requires a PMMA structure to define the wells of the agarose gel, and to release the electrodes from the agarose. The maximum voltage and current that the system requires are 40 V to perform the electrophoresis, and 1 A for activating the microheater. The chosen temperature for mixing is 80ºC, with a mixing time of 10 min. In addition, the curing time is about 30 min. This device is intended to be integrated as a part of a larger lab on PCB system for DNA amplification and detection. However, it can be used to migrate DNA amplified in conventional thermocyclers. Moreover, the device can be modified for preparing larger agarose gels and performing electrophoresis in an automatic manner.

Low-temperature sintered Ni–Zn–Co–Mn–O spinel oxide ceramics for multilayer NTC thermistors

The phase formation, sintering behavior and electrical properties of Ni–Co–Zn–Mn spinel NTC thermistor ceramics of the series Ni0.5ZnzCo0.5Mn2−zO4 with 0 ≤ z ≤ 1 were studied. In contrast to NiMn2O4, which exhibits limited stability in air below 730 °C and above 970 °C, the Zn–Co-substituted nickel manganite spinels are stable at T < 730 °C and decompose at Td > 900 °C, with Td increasing with decreasing Zn Content z. The samples were sintered at 900 °C with addition of 3 wt% Bi2O3 as sintering aid and densities of above 92% were achieved. The room temperature resistivity and thermistor B-constants are almost independent of composition at 0 ≤ z ≤ 0.6 and start to increase at higher Zn concentrations. A multilayer NTC thermistor was fabricated using green tapes of a spinel of composition z = 0.75, commercial Ag paste, and cofiring at 900 °C. The firing behavior, microstructure formation and electrical properties of the multilayer thermistor are reported.

Preparation of Fe0.8Mn1.54Ni0.66O4 Nano-Ceramics by Sol-gel auto combustion and N2 Annealing for High Reliable NTC Thermistor

Fe0.8Mn1.54Ni0.66O4 nano-ceramics have been successfully prepared by sol-gel auto combustion. The microstructure and phase of these samples was observed by using Scanning Electron Microscopy and X-Ray Diffraction. The diameters of Fe0.8Mn1.54Ni0.66O4 ceramic particles pre-fired at 800℃ range from 52 to 83nm. The powder sintered at above 1050℃ has the compact and uniform spinel structure. We have investigated the electrical characteristics of these thermistors at different sintering temperatures and concluded that the sample sintered at 1200℃ is sufficient to form the appropriate spinel phase. Moreover, the thermistor annealed for 72h at 450~550℃ in N2 atmosphere has the drift value of <0.7%.