Independent Study Projects. Please read our overview on why ACES pursue Independent Study Projects so vigorously. 2019-2020 ICS4U Independent Study Projects (ISPs) |
Independent Study Projects. Please read our overview on why ACES pursue Independent Study Projects so vigorously.
To my mind, the characteristics of a great project include such aspects as imagination, creativity, a degree of risk and, sometimes, even simplicity, to name a few. Check out the flashlight circuit 'board' this guy made out of little more that a piece of paper and a pencil? Simple, but inspiring.
Consider a problem that needs a solution. Boyan Slat did at age 17 when he was in high school; four years later he is 
cleaning up the world's oceans. (Update: January 9, 2019) So, dig in, think, dream, research, and explore possible project pursuits. Be discerning: don't accept the first thing that comes along. You'll be expected to maintain the progress of your ISP on your web page to enable everyone to follow your efforts so have your phone handy to at all times to capture the images of your journey. Be conscious of the fact that a multi-page summary of your project will appear in your ER after Presentation Day for more permanent record of your efforts. You may wish to take into account the ISP Evaluation document that will be applied on your Presentation Day.
Also, don't underestimate the value of an enterprise/entrepreneurial aspect to your project that could see a number of units of your project in the hands of future ACES, for sale in the Dragon's Lair or beyond, reaching an even a broader audience.
Short ISP Selection
Proposal Form: Short ISP Proposal with Design
Updated DES Scrolling Message Board
ACES DMM (Smart Tweezers?)
Gear Generator: Example: 360° Motorized Turntable for Project (Video) Demonstrations?
Solar Turntable (2D Acrylic merged with sanded, primed, and painted:Finishing
3D Prints)
Underlit Display Base with this specific illuminated SPST On/Off Switch.
(Electrical Engineer?)
Electroluminescent (EL) Wire
Single Pole/Triple Throw Slide Switch PCB for this component. Develop an efficient, easy-to-use software library and finished device (circuitry and PCB) to demonstrate this switch's functionality.
Personal Infrared Remote Control. Custom encased device will provide at least ON/OFF, MUTE, and HIDE control over the DES Smartboard for presentation confirmation.
Explore Surface Mount Technology (SMT) using this generic PCB by creating a functional device.
(One or more) common anode large seven segment displays...
PRUSA Multi-filament Print
Nichrome Heating Unit| Updated DES Scrolling Message Board (Luc) |
SMART TWEEZERS (to be included in all 2020-2021 Grade 10 kits?) |
5V TURNTABLE (Jonathan) |
RSGC ACES SOLAR TURNTABLE (Eric) |
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| UNDERLIT DISPLAY BASE (Max) |
EL PANEL/WIRE (James) |
SP3T SLIDE SWITCH PCB (Simon) |
PERSONAL IR REMOTE (Fola) |
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 UML Diagram for SPnT Library |
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| SMT Device | LARGE CA DISPLAY (Charlie) |
PRUSA MULTI-COLOR (Josh) |
NICHROME HEATING |
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As you wind up the final six months of your secondary education it is time to both advance and lock in your burgeoning engineering skills. Whereas through-hole technology (THT) has had a good run over the past few decades, the future is (almost ALL) Surface Mount Technology and Design. For this reason, you best be prepared. This ISP round you are stronggly encouraged to hone and showcase your SMT/D skills in preparation for the opportunities that await you in the next few years.
Your Medium ISP goal (20% of your final mark) should include the slimmest of useful devices consisting of a custom PCB, populated with SMT parts, and encased in the thinnest CAD case possible (think wallet-size proportions). You have TWO months. Our Aoyue Hot Air soldering stations, A. Hodgson's Reflow Oven, our suite of 3D printers, and either JLCPCB or DirtyPCBs are all about to get a serious Sr. ACES workout.
Download and review the updated Medium ISP Proposal. This Word version I would ask that you edit, attach, and email to handin by START of class on Friday January 10, 2020 under the Subject Line: Medium ISP Proposal.
Long ISP (THT and/or SMT, Fixed or Flex)
Electronic control over your final ACES ISP must be in the form of custom PCB populated with either through hole and/or surface mount components. In the case of the latter, you can consider taking your design to the next level, in the form of a Flex circuit that will be laminated into a page of your DER. If your circuit proves fully functional a flexible 3.5V, 150 mA Powerfilm solar cell will be included in the lamination so that that viewers of your creativity will marvel at when shown the light of day!
The Flex Circuit concept was first introduced into the ACES curriculum in the 2015/2016 TEI4M year with some impressive results. Where the attempts since have failed is whren the designer becomes too ambitious. If you choose this route, I require that you keep it SIMPLE. (LEDs and resistors only?) Your Medium ISP requirements provided you with valuable experience that should improve your likelihood of success as will be a small project this term that requires the use of the ACES ATtiny85 SMD Trainer. The examples below are too ambitious for us but each offers a unique feature you may wish to consider,
InductionCharlie'Flex'edLED MatrixDownload and review the updated Long ISP Proposal. This Word version I would ask that you edit, attach, and email to handin by START of class on Thursday March 26, 2020 under the Subject Line: Long ISP Proposal.
| ACE | Short ISP (10%) (September 5 - 4 weeks) |
Medium ISP (20%) January 10-March 2 (6 weeks) |
Legacy Shield April |
Long ISP (30%) March 26-May 22- (8 weeks) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Dolgin, J. |
PRUSA MULTI-FILAMENT SAMPLER Description: I will develop a variety of multi filament prints that showcase the power and variety of results that can be achieved through the use of the multi-material upgrade kit. |
THE SMD DESK RTC-EQUALIZER Description: I will create an SMD version of the matrix equalizer, using 4 matrices and SMD IC’s (MSGEQ7, DS1307, TPIC, 595, tiny84). An Adafruit microphone breakout will be used for the sound input and the RTC components will be SMD soldered directly to the board. The board will show equalizer animations, but every time a minute passes, the time will be either displayed or scrolled across the matrices for a couple seconds. |
Scrolling DER Description: This project will use either one or multiple MAX7219s to control a matrix of SMD LED’s, scrolling the title, name of author and course code. I2C components may be added for extra complexity. Flex with Solar Film SMT/84/CwithInlineAssembly I2C/ISP 'Finger' EAGLE |
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Fatola, F. |
UNIVERSAL IR REMOTE Description: A custom PCB and protective case will house an ATtiny84 or 328p to drive IR signals to control the smartboard in the DES. Power: 5V Processor: '84 or 328p CAD: EAGLE and ViaCAD |
The DominatIR 2.0 Description: This will be an updated surface mount version of my previous IR remote. It will be accompanied by a nicer case, and it will have a decent amount of control of more than one tv/smart board (ON/OFF, Volume, Freeze, etc). |
IR Receiver Shield | Hallway Detector This project is meant to detect when someone has been in near the hallway to my room and record information about their presence in the space (the amount of time they spent there, what time they arrived/left, and other information). This data will appear on some kind of screen that someone can analyze. The info will be transmitted to the screen either using RF or Bluetooth. Fixed/THT&SMT/84/CwithRegs RF/6pinISP/EAGLE/ViaCAD |
Lank, J. |
ACES EL Sign Description: Using a DC to AC inverter circuit to drive electroluminescent wire, I intend to make a sign for the DES that says ACES. Power: 3-12VDC to 60-120VAC Processor: None CAD: 3D printed case with 2D Acrylic face |
Desktop Clock Description: I will use an OLED display, an RTC circuit, and an ATtiny85 to create a mini OLED clock mounted on a stand to have on your desk. |
Flexible Thermometer? |
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Macdonald, C. |
LARGE 7-SEGMENT JEOPARDY TIMER Description: A Jeopardy timer will be developed that will use 1-2 large displays, accompanied by the Jeopardy theme audio. Power: 12V Processor: CAD: Fusion for the case and possibly the clear face (otherwise lasercut) |
Pocket (Wallet?) Thermometer Description: The Pocket Thermometer will be small enough to easily carry around in a pocket and will display the current temperature on a dual seven segment display. |
USB Keyboard The keyboard will be a 60% design with a 3D printed case and keys. The switches will be Cherry MX switches or some other similar style switches. Fixed/THT&SMT/328P/ Arduino C/Comm:USB/ 6pinISP/EAGLE/Fusion360 |
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Mazzucca, L. |
DES MESSAGE BOARD Description: Update the code and the update access to the DES SMB Power: 12V Processor: ATmega328 CAD: ?? |
Scrolling Name Tag Description: I will make a thin name tag to be clipped on a shirt that will scroll names across a surface mount LED matrix. it will be powered by coin cell batteries, and will be able to be reprogrammed with an Arduino. there will be a 3D printed case made for the device with an acrylic or clear filament top. |
The Tic-Tac-Toe Page A flex PCB will be powered by a solar panel and physically placed in my DER. The PCB will have a tic tac toe board that will use button inputs to an ATtiny to play a game of multi-colour tic-tac-toe. Flex/SMT/84/SMT/Serial/ Flex Connector/EAGLE |
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McCutcheon, M. |
INFINITY MIRROR DISPLAY CASE Description: An Arduino nano with software-read encoders, control the LEDs in the base. Power: ?? Processor: 328P (nano) CAD: (Fusion) A 3D printed cylindrical form with embedded mirrors and external control panel. |
The Wallet Gaming Machine Description: A credit card sized device that the user can play games on (i.e. pong, stack, Tetris, etc.). It will contain several surface mount switches and buttons, plus a display. |
Equalizer Shield | Mini 3D Printer Description: A mini compact 3d printer that can fold in half, and includes some unique features such as RGB strip lighting. Fixed/THT&SMT/2560/ Arduino C/SPI/ 6pinISP/TinkerCAD |
Parker, J. |
GEARED TURNTABLE Description: An Arduino motor driver will support a 3D printed turntable. Gear Generator will be employed to design the gearchain system. Power: 5V Processor: 328p CAD: Fusion will be used to design the case components |
ACES Business Card Description: This project will use SMD parts to create a display on a credit card sized PCB which will display various information about an ace in the program. It will be programable with an on board ATtiny84 and will be powered by a coin cell battery. |
Motor Driver Shield | Controlled Turret Description: Using either Bluetooth or RF, I will create a turret which can fire projectiles  at range towards targets with a remote control that can move the turret without direct human contact. It will control servo motors to move its position and control firing. The case will be 3D printed to make the turret and projectiles will be something like nerf darts or airsoft pellets.Fixed/THT/328P/ Arduino C/RF/ 6pinISP/ EAGLE/TinkerCAD |
Peterson, S. |
SPnT LIBRARY Description: A custom PCB will developed to host the provided SP3T switch to test a custom Arduino SPnT library for future use by ACES in their own projects.
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SMT Morland Bargraph Description: A surface-mount version of the Morland Bargraph PCB. An ATtiny will be integrated into the PCB along with an isp header and accompanying components to run the PCB and upload code to it without the use of an external Arduino. |
Smart Tweezers Description: A portable, elegant version of a DMM with its most important functionality including continuity testing, polarity testing, and test current. The readings from all the testing implements will be displayed on a small LCD display and the project will use a lithium ion battery for power. Fixed/SMT/84/C with Ports,Regs I2C/Preflashed/Fusion360
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Pyper, E. |
REMCON (IR) SOLAR TURNTABLE Description: A commerical turntable will be cannabilized to drive a custom design turntable controlled by IR signals! Power: Solar Processor: Not indicated CAD: Fusion will be used to design the 3D base . 2D laser cut arcylic will be designed for the platter. |
iPuck™ Description: It is a 3D printed puck made out of TPU. It uses internal sensors to test acceleration, velocity, and temperature. The readings are displayed using bluetooth onto a phone. |
Bark Begone Description: A PCB that listens for dog barks and emits a noise harmful (?) to dogs when detected. The PCB also send a message to the owner. Fixed/THT/84 Arduino C/GSM 6pinISP/EAGLE /Fusion360 |
| Grade | Contribution to Final Mark |
|---|---|
10 |
30% |
11 |
40% |
12 |
60% |
For the bulk of your formal education you have been, and will continue to be, required to consume curriculum chosen for you by someone else. Fortunately (hopefully) you will put this knowledge and skill to good use in your future. However, jumping through someone else's hoops alone does not, typically, secure future success. For that, you must demonstrate your own initiative, motivation, and passion. These qualities need to be cultivated and our Grade 10 hardware course is a perfect place to start. There is so much to learn and there are so many great projects out there that offer stimulating contexts within which to develop and refine your interests.
