1.1 Introduction
Digital thermometers are temperature-sensing instruments that are easily portable, have permanent probes, and a convenient digital display. The way a digital thermometer works depends upon its type of sensor. Sensor types include resistance temperature detector (RTD), thermocouple and thermistor. Each type has advantages and disadvantages (Globalspec, 2021).
As a prelude to other parts of this study, this chapter will discuss the background upon which this study was initiated, the statement of problems that led to this study, the Aim and Objectives of the study. Others are Significance of the study, Scope of work, Limitations of the Study and Definition of technical terms.
1.2 Background of Study
Temperature sensor technology occurred in 1665, when the Dutch mathematician and physicist Christiaan Huygens fashioned the first sealed thermometer containing a quantity of alcohol (earlier thermoscopes had also been open to air pressure which contaminated their ability to accurately reflect changes in temperature only). Huygen’s device exploited alcohol’s volatility, which meant that it would expand and contract markedly in response to alterations in ambient heat. But it wasn’t until 1724 that the first standard scale for measuring changes in temperature became widely adopted in the manufacture of thermometers. Bearing the name of its deviser, Daniel Gilbert Fahrenheit, it is still in use today. Fahrenheit’s thermometer used mercury rather than alcohol, because it expanded and contracted on a more consistently linear basis than alcohol in response to changes in temperature (Rs-online, 2021).
Microcontroller based temperature measurement in today’s environment encompasses a wide variety of needs and applications. To meet this wide array of needs the process controls industry has developed a large number of sensors and devices to handle this demand. In this project you will have an opportunity to understand the concepts and use of the LM35 sensor, and actually run an experiment using a selection of this device (Colins, 2008). Temperature is a very critical and widely measured variable for most conditions or a particular covering.
Temperature measurement varies in different location judging by the temperature needs to be met at that location. Many processes must have either a monitored or controlled temperature. More difficult measurements such as the temperature of smoke stack gas from a power generating station or blast furnace or the exhaust gas of a rocket may be need to be monitored. Much more common are the temperatures of fluids in processes or process support applications, or the temperature of solid objects such as metal plates, bearings and shafts in a piece of machinery (Mike, 2015; Omosule, Olusegun, Abiodun and Feyisetan, 2017; Oyebola and Odueso 2017; Olalekan and Toluwani, 2017).
Therefore, in Nigeria where the research was carried out, the activities that was conducted is to design and construct a Digital Thermometer with a Temperature Sensor Using Arduino LM 35.
1.3 Statement of the Problem
The microcontroller based system developed will automatically detect the temperature of a particular atmosphere or a room. Noticing or taking into consideration the results of an operation being carried out due to the temperature of the room or atmosphere. For instance, in a laboratory where experiments are being carried out on different items, a certain temperature is required and needs to be maintained in order to achieve a good result on the experiment being carried out.
1.4 Aims and Objectives of Study
The aim of the study is to design and construct a Digital Thermometer with a Temperature Sensor Using Arduino LM 35. In achieving this aim, the following specific objectives were laid out as follows:
- To design a digital thermometer that will overrides the stress of using an analog temperature reader which might involve more calculations to get the current temperature of the environment
- To construct a system that will obtain precise representation of the temperature in the room using LM35 temperature sensor
1.5 Scope of Study
The study focuses on the design and construction of Digital Thermometer with a Temperature Sensor Using Arduino LM 35.
1.6 Limitations of the Study
During the course of this study, many things militated against its completion, some of which are:
- Time Constraint: The time frame given to accomplish this project was very short due to school academic calendar and it was carried out under pressure which made the researcher not to implement some necessary features.
- Research material: availability of research material is a major setback to the scope of the study.
- Frequent power failure: This made the researcher append more money on fuel to ensure sustainable power.
- Financial Constraint: Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet).
1.7 Significance of Study
Digital room temperature is very important since it is needed to keep in check a certain temperature of a room or an atmosphere digitally. That means it overrides the stress of using an analog temperature reader which might involve more calculations to get the current temperature of the environment. This system enables the user to obtain more precise representation of the temperature in the room using LM35 temperature sensor.
This study will be of immense benefit to other researchers who intend to know more on this study and can also be used by non-researchers to build more on their research work. This study contributes to knowledge and could serve as a guide for other study.
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