#sensors

Why this $10 spectrometer chip could bring real-time chemical sensing to wearables

Researchers from the University of Cambridge and GlitterinTech, a startup founded by the same research group, have unveiled a fundamentally new type of optical spectrometer that delivers laboratory-grade precision in a device small enough to be embedded in portable and wearable technologies. By rethinking how spectra are measured and processed, the team has demonstrated a spectrometer costing only around $10, operating at a centimeter scale, and capable of applications ranging from industrial quality control to real-time health care monitoring. Optical spectrometers underpin countless technologies, from chemical analysis and manufacturing to environmental sensing and medicine. Yet shrinking these instruments has historically involved painful trade-offs: Miniaturized devices typically sacrifice bandwidth, resolution or accuracy, limiting them to rough identification rather than true metrological measurements. The newly reported convolutional spectrometer overcomes these barriers by introducing a conceptually elegant operating principle grounded in the convolution theorem, offering unprecedented performance metrics compared with existing dispersive, Fourier-transform and reconstructive spectrometers.

@rin-henricov

Here you go, I hope this is alright! c: Could find surprisingly few gifs of pilot stuff tbh

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If you're just getting started with Arduino, choosing the right components can make learning much easier. These beginner-friendly modules help you understand the fundamentals of electronics while giving you the confidence to build practical, real-world projects.

📏 HC-SR04 Ultrasonic Sensor

The HC-SR04 uses ultrasonic sound waves to accurately measure the distance between the sensor and an object. It's widely used in obstacle-avoidance robots, automatic parking systems, smart dustbins, water level monitoring, and countless automation projects. It's one of the best sensors for learning how distance measurement works.

🌡️ DHT11 Temperature & Humidity Sensor

The DHT11 combines temperature and humidity sensing into a single, easy-to-use module. It's an excellent choice for creating weather stations, greenhouse monitoring systems, indoor climate monitors, and basic IoT dashboards. It also introduces beginners to environmental sensing and data logging.

🚶 PIR Motion Sensor

A Passive Infrared (PIR) sensor detects movement by sensing changes in infrared radiation emitted by people and animals. It's commonly used in motion-activated lighting, burglar alarms, automatic doors, smart home automation, and energy-saving applications where devices should activate only when movement is detected.

⚡ Relay Module

A relay module allows an Arduino to safely control high-voltage or high-current electrical devices without direct electrical contact. Whether you're switching lights, fans, pumps, motors, or household appliances, relays are an essential building block for home automation, industrial control systems, and smart electrical projects.

🤖 SG90 Servo Motor

Unlike a standard DC motor, the SG90 servo motor can rotate to precise angles, making it perfect for projects that require accurate positioning. It's widely used in robotic arms, pan-and-tilt camera systems, automated doors, steering mechanisms, and educational robotics, helping beginners understand motion control and PWM signals.

🖥️ 16×2 LCD Display with I2C Module

A 16×2 LCD equipped with an I2C interface allows you to display sensor readings, menus, timers, and project status using only two communication pins. The I2C adapter significantly reduces wiring complexity, making it an ideal display solution for beginners building weather stations, measurement devices, and interactive Arduino projects.

🔐 MFRC522 RFID Module

The MFRC522 RFID module enables wireless identification using RFID cards and key tags. It forms the basis of many access control systems, attendance management solutions, inventory tracking applications, and smart authentication projects. It's also a great introduction to SPI communication and contactless technology.

Whether you're building your very first blinking LED circuit or working toward a complete IoT or robotics project, these seven modules provide an excellent foundation. Mastering them will make it much easier to understand sensors, actuators, displays, communication protocols, and automation concepts that appear in more advanced electronics projects.

💡 Which of these modules was the first one you ever used with Arduino? Let us know in the comments!

TCS34303 - tri-stimulus color sensor 🔧🌈📸