Elliot J Carey
pls
A graphical representation of the view from Doi Pui Northern Thailand

My Projects

1. Internet Enabled Heating control

In the ever-evolving landscape of Internet of Things (IoT) technologies, home automation has emerged as a compelling intersection of convenience, energy efficiency, and technological innovation. My journey into developing an ESP32-powered infrared heating control system began with a simple yet profound observation: the disconnect between modern technological capabilities and traditional home heating management.

Project Inception: Understanding the Problem

The genesis of this project stemmed from a personal frustration with inefficient heating control. Traditional heating systems often operate on rigid schedules or require manual intervention, leading to unnecessary energy consumption and discomfort. The vision was clear: create a flexible, remotely accessible heating control system that could intelligently manage home temperature while providing unprecedented user control.

The ESP32 microcontroller emerged as the ideal platform for this ambitious project. Its robust wireless capabilities, low power consumption, and impressive computational power made it the perfect backbone for an IoT heating control solution. The core objective was to develop a web-based interface that would allow users to power their heating system on and off using infrared communication, bridging the gap between legacy heating infrastructure and modern smart home technologies.

Technical Architecture and Design Considerations

The system's architecture required careful consideration of multiple technical domains. At its core, the ESP32 would serve as both a web server and an infrared transmission device, necessitating a multifaceted approach to software and hardware integration. The primary components included:

  1. ESP32 Microcontroller: Functioning as the central processing unit and communication hub
  2. Infrared LED: For transmitting control signals to the heating system
  3. Web Interface: Providing remote access and control
  4. Network Management: Ensuring reliable Wi-Fi connectivity and secure access

One of the most significant challenges encountered during development was developing a robust infrared transmission protocol that could consistently communicate with different heating system models. Infrared communication is notoriously finicky, requiring precise timing and signal modulation to ensure reliable operation.

Overcoming Communication Challenges

The infrared transmission protocol demanded meticulous engineering. Each heating system manufacturer implements slightly different infrared communication standards, which meant developing a flexible signal generation mechanism. This required extensive research into infrared communication protocols, signal analysis, and adaptive transmission techniques.

Extensive testing revealed the importance of signal repetition and precise timing. The ESP32's ability to generate complex signal patterns proved crucial in overcoming initial communication barriers. By implementing multiple transmission attempts and incorporating error checking mechanisms, the system achieved a remarkably high reliability rate.

Web Interface Development

The web interface represented another critical component of the project. Developed using lightweight HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, the interface needed to be both intuitive and responsive. The ESP32 would host the web server, serving dynamic content that allowed real-time heating system control.

Key considerations for the web interface included:

  • Minimal resource consumption
  • Responsive design for mobile and desktop access
  • Simple, clear user interaction models
  • Secure authentication mechanisms

Power Management and Efficiency

An often-overlooked aspect of IoT projects is power management. The ESP32, while powerful, requires careful power consumption strategies. The implementation incorporated deep sleep modes and intelligent power cycling to minimize energy overhead while maintaining system responsiveness.

Key Learning Outcomes

Developing this IoT heating control system provided profound insights into embedded systems design, wireless communication, and user-centric technology development. Several critical learnings emerged:

  • Flexibility is paramount in IoT device design
  • Robust error handling transforms good projects into exceptional solutions
  • User experience should drive technological implementation
  • Deep understanding of communication protocols is essential for successful IoT projects

Challenges and Limitations

No technological journey is without its challenges. The project encountered several significant obstacles:

  1. Varied infrared communication standards across different heating systems
  2. Network connectivity reliability issues
  3. Balancing system complexity with user-friendliness
  4. Ensuring robust security in a network-connected device

Future Improvements and Scalability

While the initial implementation successfully demonstrated the concept's viability, numerous potential improvements remain. Future iterations could incorporate:

  • Machine learning-based temperature optimization
  • Integration with broader smart home ecosystems
  • Enhanced energy consumption analytics
  • More sophisticated authentication mechanisms

Conclusion: A Testament to Innovation

This ESP32-powered infrared heating control system represents more than a mere technological experiment. It embodies the transformative potential of IoT technologies to solve real-world problems, enhance user experiences, and drive efficiency in our daily lives.

By bridging traditional heating infrastructure with modern wireless technologies, the project demonstrates how thoughtful engineering can create meaningful technological solutions that improve our interaction with everyday systems.


2. Kidney Health Calculator

In the intricate world of pharmaceutical care, precision is not just a preference—it's a necessity. The development of a web-based kidney function dosage calculator emerged from a critical need to support pharmacists in making accurate, life-impacting medication dosage decisions. This project represented a convergence of medical expertise, computational science, and user-centered design, aimed at reducing medication errors and improving patient safety.

The Critical Need for Precise Dosage Calculations

Kidney function plays a pivotal role in medication metabolism and elimination. Patients with impaired renal function require carefully adjusted medication doses to prevent potential toxicity or ineffective treatment. Traditional calculation methods are prone to human error, making a digital solution not just convenient, but potentially life-saving.

The primary objectives of the project were clear:

  • Create an intuitive, web-based calculation tool
  • Support multiple kidney function assessment methods
  • Provide instant, accurate dosage recommendations
  • Ensure user-friendly interface for busy healthcare professionals

Technical Architecture and Design Principles

The development approach prioritized simplicity, accuracy, and accessibility. A web-based application offered several advantages:

  • Platform independence
  • Easy updates and maintenance
  • Immediate accessibility across different devices
  • Low barrier to entry for healthcare professionals

Key Technical Components

  1. Frontend Interface
    • Responsive design
    • Intuitive user input fields
    • Clear, immediate calculation results
    • Mobile and desktop compatibility
  2. Backend Calculation Engine
    • Robust Mathematical models
    • multiple kindey function algorithims
    • Secure, server-side calculation verification
  3. Calculation Methodologies
    • The application incorporated multiple established methods for assessing kidney function and calculating appropriate dosages:
    • Cockcroft-Gault Equation
    • CKD-EPI (Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration) Formula
    • MDRD (Modification of Diet in Renal Disease) Study Equation

Challenges

Implementing medical calculation algorithms required deep collaboration with pharmacological experts.

Creating an interface that was simultaneously professional, intuitive, and accessible proved challenging. Extensive user testing with pharmacists guided the design process, ensuring that the tool felt natural and integrated seamlessly into existing workflow patterns.

Technologies used

some stuff

Future Enhancements

Some stuff

Conculsion

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3. Iternet Online Learning Projects on my GitHub

Check it out here > My GitHub