This week on the Adafruit Learning System, we published five new guides, and updated a few more. Learn about the Adafruit Bluefruit LE Sniffer, learn how to build a no-code wippersnapper water detection device, build a TVA baton from Loki, and more!
Favorite New Guide
This week my favorite new guide shows you how to build the TVA Baton from Loki!
Build a Time Baton inspired prop from the Disney+ series Loki. Use a Feather M4 and PropMaker FeatherWing with CircuitPython to make a motion activated prop with lights and sounds!
Different sounds are triggered depending on threshold and the LED changes brightness and color!
Hidden inside the handle are the electronics. The Feather and PropMaker are fitted in a holder that can easily pull out for easy USB access.
The diffuser is removable much like a lightbulb, you can unscrew it from the assembly.
Parts are designed for support-free 3D printing and fit on beds of most 3D printers!
Capable of altering the flow of time, this weapon is wielded by the Time Variance Authority. This SciFi inspired baton has the power to prune individuals by incapacitating variants. It features seven light tubes arranged in a circular group.
Monitor the Air Around You
This week Liz Clark published a new guide on how to build a disconnected CO2 data logger. This is just one of the many useful guides on the Adafruit Learning System that show you how to monitor the air around you. Here are just a few of the other air quality monitors on ALS:
Air Quality Sensor 3D Printed Enclosure
3D Print an enclosure for your air quality sensor project
Build a 3D printed enclosure for your IOT Air Quality Sensor. This project is similar to our other air quality sensor guide, except it uses Adafruit STEMMA sensors and has minimal soldering required.
This project uses sensors to measure PM2.5 (particles that are 2.5 microns or smaller in diameter) dust concentrations, temperature and humidity.
This weatherproof enclosure is modeled after a silo-home. We’ve included different types of mounting holes and brackets for different mounting configurations.
FunHouse IoT Fume Extractor and Air Quality Sensor
Another guide by Liz, send your fumes to the cloud with Adafruit IO
Build a smart DIY fume extractor with an Adafruit FunHouse and CircuitPython. Use a PWM fan and the EMC2101 controller to change the speed based on readings from an SPG30 air quality sensor.
Use CircuitPython libraries and ESP32-S2 to connect to WiFi and log sensor data to a feed and display it on a dashboard with Adafruit IO. Use the FunHouse’s built-in TFT to display bitmap graphics with fan speed and air quality. Use the built-in buttons to select options like choosing to log data. CircuitPython makes it easy to customize features, experiment with other hardware and quickly iterate.
The electronics are housed in a 3D printed enclosure that snap fits together. Use a carbon activated filter to adsorb smoke from solder fumes. The fan controller and air quality sensor are connect with STEMMA QT cables for a plug-and-play circuit. A mini fan mounted in front of the air quality sensor directs fumes for sampling and measuring. The ports on the FunHouse make it easy to power 5V peripheral.
PyPortal Air Quality Display
You can use a PyPortal as an automatically updating air quality meter.
With the PyPortal air quality display stuck to your fridge, you can keep track of the quality of the air you breathe.
Using CircuitPython, this project queries the AirNow site API to find out the current air quality index for your location and displays it along with an informative color.
3D printed case and magnetic backing allow you to mount it to your fridge or other ferrous metal surface.
ALS Deep Cut
With so many guides on the Adafruit Learning System, some amazing guides of years past get buried and lost. ALS Deep Cuts brings these guides back up to the surface. This week’s guide is from back in 2015.
Build a one eyed, one horned, flying purple people eater!
Here’s another take on the electronic animated eye project by Phillip Burgess. Inspired by Sheb Wooley’s 1958 hit novelty song, we present our one-eyed, one-horned, flying purple people eater…Like the bowler hat project, this one uses a single eye, making it more affordable and easier to build than its two-eyed brethren. It can also be installed as a functional doorbell, perfect for Halloween!
New Product Guide
Learn all about the new Adafruit VL53L1X Time of Flight Distance Sensor
The Adafruit VL53L1X Time of Flight Distance Sensor (also known as VL53L1CX) is a Time of Flight distance sensor that has a massive 4 meter range and LIDAR-like precision. The sensor contains a very tiny invisible laser source and a matching sensor. The VL53L1X can detect the “time of flight”, or how long the light has taken to bounce back to the sensor.