DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION

Yam remains a vital staple food in West Africa, particularly in Nigeria, yet its traditional conversion into pounded yam (iyan) continues to be characterized by intensive manual labor, considerable time consumption, and inconsistent quality outcomes. Although the introduction of mechanized yam blending machines has improved processing efficiency, a persistent operational issue—material leakage during blending—poses significant challenges. This leakage not only compromises hygiene and leads to product loss but also endangers the machine’s mechanical and electrical components, thereby limiting its commercial viability. This study seeks to resolve this issue through the design and construction of a functional yam blending machine specifically engineered to minimize or eliminate material leakage. The research adopts a systematic design methodology, employing a decision matrix for component selection. An AC-powered motor was chosen for its superior torque output, while food-grade stainless steel (SS304) was selected for all food-contact components to ensure durability and hygiene. Special emphasis was placed on robust sealing mechanisms, particularly at the blending shaft and chamber interfaces, to achieve a hermetic seal that prevents leakage during operation. Upon fabrication, the prototype will undergo a comprehensive performance evaluation to measure blending efficiency, output uniformity, and leakage control effectiveness. The successful development and implementation of this improved yam blending machine are expected to significantly enhance processing productivity, food safety, and the sustainable mechanization of yam processing within Nigeria’s agro-industrial sector.

Motion detection is now crucial for modern security frameworks and energy conservation efforts, offering superior protection and mitigating energy waste from appliances left running. This project addresses the need for a reliable, economical, and highly effective sensor system by focusing on the design, construction, and testing of a Passive Infrared (PIR) Motion Sensor prototype. The primary goal is to create a robust device capable of identifying movement across a complete three hundred and sixty degree field of view, enhancing its utility over standard directional sensors and providing a valuable contribution to localized security solutions. The technical implementation began with a robust Power Supply Unit built from scratch. This unit uses a step down transformer, a full wave bridge rectifier, and a large smoothing capacitor to transform high voltage AC into smooth DC. An LM7805 voltage regulator guarantees the stable five volt supply essential for the sensitive electronic components. The Sensing Circuit uses a PIR sensor and a Fresnel lens to detect infrared energy. The weak analog signal generated by moving heat sources is processed by an operational amplifier and a comparator to create a clear digital trigger. This trigger then activates a transistor to energize an electromagnetic relay and a buzzer, which serve as the system's immediate response mechanism. Testing confirmed that the prototype successfully met all objectives. This included the reliable detection of motion within the predetermined area, the empirical definition and adjustment of the effective detection range, and the successful fine tuning of system sensitivity. Furthermore, the strategic design achieved the critical goal of wide coverage. This project validates the construction of a low cost, energy efficient device, affirming the practical application of knowledge in electronics design, power management, and embedded systems, and establishing a successful framework for automated lighting and intruder alarm systems

his project focuses on the design and construction of a smart electricity meter using Internet of Things (IoT) technology to enable efficient energy monitoring and management. The system is built around the ESP32 micro\controller, which controls data acquisition, processing, and wireless transmission to the ThingSpeak cloud platform. The PZEM-004T measurement module is employed to accurately measure voltage, current, power, and energy consumption in real time. A DC-DC buck converter provides a regulated power supply, ensuring stable operation of the ESP32 and peripheral components. Data collected by the meter are uploaded to ThingSpeak, where users can visualize live readings, generate graphical trends, and analyze consumption patterns through an interactive dashboard. This allows for remote monitoring, fault detection, and informed decision-making regarding energy usage. The prototype demonstrates reliable performance, high accuracy, and cost-effectiveness compared to conventional meters. By integrating embedded systems with IoT-based cloud services, the developed smart meter promotes efficient power utilization, user awareness, and modern smartgrid compatibility. Overall, the project highlights a practical approach to advancing energy management through low-cost IoT solutions.

This project presents the design and construction of a Gesture Control Smart Lighting System aimed at enhancing accessibility and improving energy efficiency in residential and commercial
environments. Traditional lighting systems rely on manual switches, which may present challenges for elderly individuals, persons with disabilities, or in situations where physical contact
is inconvenient. The proposed system utilizes gesture recognition technology to enable users to control lighting functions such as switching ON/OFF and adjusting brightness through simple
hand movements without physical contact. The system integrates a microcontroller-based platform with gesture sensors to detect and interpret predefined hand motions. These gestures are processed and translated into lighting control commands in real time. The design prioritizes low power consumption, reliability, affordability, and ease of installation. By eliminating unnecessary energy usage through automated control and user-friendly interaction, the system contributes to energy conservation and promotes sustainable living.
Experimental testing demonstrates that the system responds accurately to gesture inputs with minimal delay, ensuring efficient performance and improved user convenience. The developed
prototype highlights the potential of gesture-based smart systems in advancing modern home automation, particularly for enhanced accessibility and energy-efficient lighting solutions.

In this paper, a wireless power transmission (WPT) using resonant magnetic coupling for mobile phone charger is presented. Solar energy was used as the energy source to address the scarcity of non-renewable energy sources and
tackles the constraints of wired charging technology such as lack of universal electrical standard, untidiness and inconvenience of wires and wires' wear and tear. The system includes PV panels and battery, oscillator, transmitting coil and receiving coil and rectifier. Proteus 8.1 was used to simulate before implementing in the hardware. The resonant magnetic coupling resonated at 800 kHz ± 10 kHz. The maximum distance to charge a mobile phone was 4 cm at 3.7 V. All the objectives are achieved within the limited time frame. The significance of the project can help to eradicate the use of wires and the need of power plugs. The future research includes the study of efficiency, coil design, system with multiple loads.