The Electro-Natural Plant Tech Sensor Menagerie
A Multi‑Tiered IoT Air Plant Habitat
[ plant ]
│
│
[sensors + display]
│
│
[ water reservoir ]
└─────────────────┘
A compact, slightly over‑engineered IoT habitat designed top
Tillandsia (air plants) alive — despite my historically poor track record.
Built in five and a half days as part of a CNM IoT assignment,
this project combines environmental sensing, automatic misting,
and cloud monitoring in a sculptural glass enclosure.
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Features
* Environmental monitoring**
* Temperature & humidity (BME280)
* Air quality sensing (analog gas sensor)
* Capacitive moisture detection
* Water reservoir level sensing
* Automated plant care**
* Piezo atomizing mist system
* Water pump with automatic and manual control
* Visual feedback**
* NeoPixel status lighting
* OLED system display with multiple pages
* Cloud integration**
* Live data publishing
* Remote manual control via Adafruit IO dashboard
* Modular physical design**
* Multi‑tier vertical architecture
* Custom laser‑cut and 3D‑printed structural components
* Designed to live inside a glass hurricane vase
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System Architecture
Main loop structure:
loop()
├── readSensors()
├── updateButtons()
├── evaluateTriggers()
├── controlPumpAndMister()
├── updateNeoPixels()
├── updateOLED()
└── publishCloudData()
The system supports both automatic and manual operation modes,
with local controls mirrored in the cloud dashboard.
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Hardware
* Particle Photon 2**
* BME280 temperature / humidity sensor**
* Analog air quality sensor**
* Capacitive moisture sensor**
* DIY silver‑wire water level probes**
* Piezo atomizer (TD‑002) + disc**
* Water pump**
* NeoPixel LED rings**
* SSD1306 OLED display (I²C)**
* MOSFET‑based power switching (post‑redesign)**
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Pinout (Core Signals)
| Component | Pin |
|--------------------------|-----|
| OLED SDA / I²C | D0 |
| OLED SCL / I²C | D1 |
| NeoPixel Data | D2 |
| Pump MOSFET Gate | D4 |
| Mist MOSFET Gate | D5 |
| Mist Button | D7 |
| Mode Button | D9 |
| Soil / Moisture Sensor | A0 |
| Air Quality Sensor | A1 |
| Reservoir Probe (ADC) | A2 |
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Design Challenges & Lessons
* Hardware that works on a home desk doesn’t always work at your away desk
* Current draw issues revealed limitations of relay‑based switching
* Redesigning the power stage with MOSFETs improved reliability
* Wire routing and noise isolation matter in mixed‑signal systems
* Iteration is unavoidable — and educational
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Piezo Atomizer Notes
The misting system uses a TD‑002 piezo atomizer module
driven via a MOSFET rather than a relay due to current draw spikes.
Key considerations:
* High‑frequency operation (~110 kHz)
* 5V supply with adequate current headroom
* Physical isolation from I²C wiring to reduce interference
Close‑up imagery and test videos are included in the project gallery.
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Gallery
https://youtu.be/lMnhnqs0L-Q
System Planning
(images/planning_circuit_layer_arrangment.png)
Breadboard Prototyping
(images/breadboard_testing.png)
MOSFET Redesign
(images/changing_from_relays_to_MOSFETS.png)
Piezo Atomizer Detail
(images/piezo_atomizer_plate.png)
Cloud Dashboard
(images/adafruit_Dashboard.png)
Final Habitat (updated as project progresses)
(images/PlantHabitatMonitor03.png)
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Files
/src — firmware
/images — photos + macros
/docs — diagrams + notes
/mechanical — laser‑cut + printed parts
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Why This Exists
This project exists because air plants are beautiful, fragile,
and completely unwilling to tolerate guesswork.
Rather than give up, I decided to give them sensors, firmware,
and a cloud dashboard — and see what happened.
So far: the plants are alive.
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License
MIT License — enjoy, remix, and keep plants alive thoughtfully 🌿