Week 0

BACKGROUND AND MOTIVATION 

Updated: Feb 23, 2025

Members: Hamad Alsayed, Amanda Guo, Sultan Hassan, Aaron Symonds

Hot water scalds is the primary cause of burns in babies and young children, as demonstrated by the figure below.

[1]

Approximately 2,000 babies and young children are admitted to A&E following a bath water scald per year. [2] Parents often misjudge the temperature of their children's bathwater due to their skin being thicker than that of a young child. [3] We realised this problem and have found an easy method to resolve the problem. We want to complete a project that involves a temperature sensor that detects the temperature of the bathwater and displays LEDs indicating whether the temperature is suitable for parents to bathe their young children. Furthermore, the sensor system will be in the form of a bath toy to engage with the children. 

Objectives:

1 - The toy should detect the temperature of the water accurately

2 - The toy should then use logic to determine if the water is too cold, too hot or suitable

3 - Depending on the temperature of the water, the toy should light up blue, red or green corresponding to the temperature. 

4 - The toy should float as a regular bath toy would

Ranges of Temperatures:

The ranges of temperatures and their corresponding LED colour is as follows:

• Temp ≤ 30°  - too cold
• 30° < Temp ≤ 37°  - suitable temperature
• Temp > 37°  - too hot

Logic Flow Chart:

Plans for next week:

1) Collect all our components and test them 

2) Start coding the Ardunio 

References: 

1. [1] A M. Kemp, 
2. S. Jones, 
3. Z. Lawson, 
4. S A. Maguire, Patterns of burns and scalds in children. 2014. 

[2] "Burns and Scalds" rospa.com, para 4 [Online] Available:  https://www.rospa.com/resources/hubs/keeping-kids-safe-(1)/burns-and-scalds. [Accessed Jan. 31 2025]

[3] "Hot Water Scalds" cbtrust.org.uk, para 1 [Online] Available: https://cbtrust.org.uk/get-informed/causes-of-burns-and-preventions/hot-water-scalds/#:~:text=A%20baby's%20skin%20is%20thinner,treatment%20and%20life%20long%20scarring. [Accessed Jan. 31 2025]