The Georgia Institute is home to a Level 2 arboretum (over 100 different species of trees) in order to help viewers navigate the campus to visit these trees we fabricated a series of custom tag for each tree. In addition to presenting information about that tree each tag is equipped with a solar powered iBeacon. This beacon broadcasts a signal allowing a companion app to direct users to specific trees and provide them information about that tree on their mobile device.
Electronics Design - Matthew Swarts
Prototype Development
(Left) Paper prototype of circuit board layout for scale, (Center) Prototype for testing solar panel position on tag, (Right) Material testing for Tag
Custom programing device for HM-11 iBeacon (milled circuit board, pogo pins, laser cut acrylic, hardware)
Prototype solar powered iBeacons utilizing super capacitors for energy storage in machined polycarbonate frames
Machining the frames from UV resistant polycarbonate
Short Run Production
(From left to right) Jig for solar panel wire assembly, Testing set up for QC of the power management board, Assembly layout for solar iBeacons (production run of 100+ units), Assembled solar iBeacons getting their first charge.
Hot glue was used to pot the electronics to protect them from weather and tampering. It was chosen because it is non conductive, adheres to polycarbonate (PC), and can build upon itself, reducing the amount needed to cover the super capacitors. The shape of the hot glue over the super capacitors was achieved through the use of a silicone mold. The positive of the mold was 3D printed.
(From left to right) Positive for hot glue mold, Test fitting of solar iBeacon into PC frame, Initial hot glue potting, hot glue potting over the super capacitors.
The finished Solar iBeacons were installed throughout the Georgia Tech Campus attached to the custom fabricated tree tags. Some of these tags also became home to their own plants.