Skin Color Sensor to Monitor Hot Flashes

Project Overview

Our goal is to design a device to monitor skin color changes during hot flashes, which could be used to provide the objective measurement needed for therapeutic drug testing for menopausal women. The device is to be capable of discerning color changes while remaining small and at a low cost.

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Project Timeline

Week	Reporting Period Beginning	Activities
1	January 25	Formed our team and chose our project.
2	February 1	Met with our advisor and client in order to review the main objectives of the course. Because this is a continuing project, we also researched last semester’s work.
3	February 8	Had a brainstorming session and obtained the materials from last semester’s group.
4	February 15	Produced a PDS, began to design an improved circuit, and tested the circuit with the red LED in the instrumentation lab.
5	February 22	Constructed two matrices, one based on housing options and one based on material options, We also tested the circuit with the blue LED.
6	February 29	Ordered materials, designed tests to find the best LED-to-photodiode angle, and began work on the mid-semester presentation.
7	March 7	Performed tests to determine the best component angle, performed our mid-semester presentation, and began work on the mid-semester paper.
8	March 14	Spring BREAK.
9	March 21	Reviewed what each team member has accomplished and is responsible for, reviewed mid-semester presentation and paper.
10	March 28	Built Circuit and tested paint samples. Compared samples to actual skin, not a very big difference between normal and red skin.
11	April 4	Optimized circuit for our members’ skin tones using a potentiometer to find the best resistor values.
12	April 11	Began testing and purchased new equipment due to LED burnouts.
13	April 18	Finished Housing and optimized resistor values for best redness detection and LED lifespan.
14	April 25	Completed testing and prepared poster.
15	May 2