Development of a Novel Design and Subsequent Fabrication of an Automated Touchless Hand Sanitizer Dispenser to Reduce the Spread of Contagious Diseases

Abstract

Background: The use of a touchless automated hand sanitizer dispenser may play a key role to reduce contagious diseases. The key problem of the conventional ultrasonic and infra-red-based dispensers is their malfunctioning due to the interference of sunlight, vehicle sound, etc. when deployed in busy public places. To overcome such limitations, this study introduced a laser-based sensing device to dispense sanitizer in an automated touchless process. Method: The dispensing system is based on an Arduino circuit breadboard where an ATmega328p microcontroller was pre-installed. To sense the proximity, a light-dependent resistor (LDR) is used where the laser light is to be blocked after the placement of human hands, hence produced a sharp decrease in the LDR sensor value. Once the LDR sensor value exceeds the lower threshold, the pump is actuated by the microcontroller, and the sanitizer dispenses through the nozzle. Results and discussion: A novel design and subsequent fabrication of a low-cost, touchless, automated sanitizer dispenser to be used in public places, was demonstrated. The overall performance of the manufactured device was analyzed based on the cost and power consumption, and environmental factors by deploying it in busy public places as well as in indoor environment in major cities in Bangladesh, and found to be more efficient and cost-effective compared to other dispensers available in the market. A comprehensive discussion on this unique design compared to the conventional ultrasonic and infra-red based dispensers, is presented to show its suitability over the commercial ones. The guidelines of the World Health Organization are followed for the preparation of sanitizer liquid. A clear demonstration of the circuitry connections is presented herein, which facilitates the interested individual to manufacture a cost-effective dispenser device in a relatively short time and use it accordingly. Conclusion: This study reveals that the LDR-based automated hand sanitizer dispenser system is a novel concept, and it is cost-effective compared to the conventional ones. The presented device is expected to play a key role in contactless hand disinfection in public places, and reduce the spread of infectious diseases in society.

covIoT: Integrated Patient Monitoring And Sanitization System

“…There are multiple projects that have demonstrated an auto matic hand sanitization technique using Arduino and ultrasonic sensors [5]- [13]. Sitompul et al [5] proposed an Arduino UNO-based contactless sanitization system using an infrared sensor for detecting the person's hand.…”

“…In [12], a cost effective system based on the Arduino Uno microcontroller with infrared sensor is presented. [13] exhibited an innovative design for a low-cost, touchless, automated sanitizer dispenser for use in public spaces.…”

A thin acoustic touchless sensor using flexural vibration

“…Such devices have been a focus of development over the last several decades. Proximity sensing techniques using optical sensors, 1,2) cameras, 3,4) and capacitive sensors 5,6) have been investigated and applied under suitable conditions, considering the operating environment, cost performance, robustness, and lifetime. 7) Ultrasound techniques can also be utilized in touchless sensors.…”

Integrated Visitor Management System with Smart Hand Sanitizer based on IoT Approach

“…The attempted technology such as Internet of Things (IoT) implemented to response the challenge [8]. Based on literature, the development of hand sanitizer are included: various container [9], temperature sensing [10] [11], mask detection [12], sanitizer level monitor [9][13][14], electric door [14][15], IoT-based data logging [16] [17], and low cost [13].…”