STEM Applied – A place for Scientists, Students, Teachers, Tinkerers, Engineers, Electronics developers, Manufacturers, and Makers

STEM Applied is a place for Scientists, Students, Teachers, Tinkerers, Engineers, Electronics developers, Manufacturers, and Makers who use Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math. We took an angle that is different from the many resources out there on the Web. We started identifying opportunities for solutions, and developed IoT platforms to work on those solutions. While most is centered around Computer Science, Firmware, Electronics and Automation, as we actually make physical objects we face problems that require Mechanical solutions, CAD drawing, 3D printing, Manufacture-ability, Quality, Regulatory, and Industrialization to be solved.

This website shares the experience of over 35 years in these fields, with the relatively recent boost of all the DIY and the open-source assets that are made available and do not require significant investments to start making things.

However, before you get too excited, keep in mind that the development needed to build one or a few prototypes at school, or for your manufacturing operations, or for your basement, or to install at GrandMa’s, etc., is only the first step before a Product can actually be sold in the USA or other markets. Regulatory and Safety requirements (UL/ETL, FCC, CE, etc.) imply lab testing from accredited labs, and those, although not necessarily prohibitive, are not inexpensive. Test results might require small or large modifications to your design, to the point of requiring spaces that your original physical layout cannot satisfy. Keep all this in mind if you are thinking of making products based on these shields and components.

The first platform we are working on is called COSO, and uses ESP32 and Arduino controllers such as the DOIT DevKit V1 and the MKR1000 WiFi (or MKR1010, since the former is in obsolescence).
The platform includes a variety of skills that can be used to teach and learn this field: C and C++ languages computer programming, PHP, Javascript, HTML, CSS, MySQL to create server-end scripts and Web Apps that can be used in smartphones, Alexa capabilities, ESP-NOW networking, serial and MODBUS communication.

The COSO platform interfaces with sensors such as DHT22 for temperature/humidity, MQ-7 for CO and other gases, Water level sensors, Proximity sensors, Infrared temperature sensors, Photoresistors, RFID readers, cameras, and more. Together with web interface and blue tooth, the COSO system offers a local user interface with LCD or OLED displays, pushbuttons, LEDs and buzzers. Some COSO devices can be powered at 120V and control a 120V output. For subscribers, the entire technical documentation is available, including schematics, pcb drawings, mechanical drawings, and source code for firmware and software.

Some of our solutions are listed in the COSO System tab:

COSO Three is a simple Environmental Monitor COMPLETED

COSO Five is a much evolved Remote Property Monitor which includes monitoring of temperature, humidity, water level, gas level, light level, and allows sending remote control signals to devices from remote (via the internet) and controlling a 120V AC / 5A outlet. COMPLETED

COSO Seven is a wireless camera based on ESP32-CAM that is versatile enough to be a stand alone, battery operated camera, or a USB-powered one, or an add-on to the ELEGOO Robot Car to provide Bluetooth remote control and Video capabilities to the car. COMPLETED

COSO Eight is a family of sensors, interfacing to the COSO Five analog inputs, to measure carbon monoxide (MQ7), or gases (MQ6), or air quality (MQ135), and many more from the MQ sensors family. They come in a nice plastic enclosure.

We support ourselves with your donations and with the sale of control kits, shields, accessories and components. For some tough soldering or assembly jobs, we might offer kits that are partially assembled, for you to complete. Please subscribe, visit the blog and visit our store in this website.

Ultimately, we believe there is value in not only developing a solution, but also studying the design process, the algorithms that take us to a result, the de-bugging phase, and the process of making the solution manufacturable, reliable, safe, and economically competitive.

In Italian, the word “cosa” translates in “thing”. The word “coso” is a colloquial way to reference a thing, often with a humoristic connotation of “junk” or “thingy”.