DEEPAK NAIR

005: DIY SMART AIR PURIFIER

—

💨 DIY Smart Air Purifier — Tech Meets Breath

“In a world of invisible threats, clarity is a gift you can build.”

🔧 What Is This?

The DIY Smart Air Purifier combines accessible hardware with microcontroller magic. Using a HEPA filter, a fan, and air quality sensors wired to a Raspberry Pi or ESP32, this machine filters your air and sends live updates to your phone or dashboard. It’s open-source breathwork.

  • Core Function: Purify air, detect particles, and alert users wirelessly
  • Style: Minimalist, modern, handmade
  • Spirit: Maker meets monk. Clean air as a sacred right.

⚙️ Materials

  • HEPA filter (new or repurposed)
  • 12V fan (e.g., computer case fan)
  • Raspberry Pi or ESP32 microcontroller
  • Air quality sensor (e.g., PMS5003 or MQ135)
  • Jumper wires, breadboard, USB cable
  • Power source (battery or wall adapter)
  • Optional: OLED display, Wi-Fi module

🌀 Instructions

  1. 🔌 Wire the fan and sensor to your controller board according to their specs.
  2. 💻 Upload code (Arduino or Python) to read air quality and control fan speed.
  3. 📲 Set up a mobile dashboard using platforms like Blynk, Home Assistant, or a Flask server.
  4. 🌬️ Mount the system inside a box, ensuring proper airflow through the filter and fan.
  5. 📶 Connect the device to Wi-Fi and test monitoring via your phone.

📲 Mobile Dashboard Setup Tips

Use platforms like Blynk or Home Assistant to create intuitive phone dashboards:

  • Create an account and install the app.
  • Add your ESP32 or Raspberry Pi as a device via Wi-Fi.
  • Configure widgets to show PM2.5 levels, fan status, and alerts.
  • Set notifications for poor air quality.
  • Explore automation: turn on the fan automatically when air worsens.

⚠️ Safety & Tips

  • Always unplug electronics when wiring to avoid shocks.
  • Ensure the fan and filter have unobstructed airflow.
  • Use a proper enclosure to prevent dust buildup on electronics.
  • Test sensors indoors before mounting permanently.
  • Keep liquids away from electronics.

🌱 Myth-Tech Fusion

This scroll is for the modern sage who sees clean air as sacred and believes technology—when guided by intention—is a healing tool. The purifier becomes a shrine to breath, awareness, and life.

🎧 Soundtrack for the Build

  • Background: Ambient synths or flowing water sounds
  • Theme mantra: “I clear, I purify, I align.”

💡 Final Blessing

“Let your hands code clarity. Let your breath teach peace.”

💾 Sample Code Snippet (ESP32 + PMS5003 sensor)

#include <PMS.h>
#include <SoftwareSerial.h>

SoftwareSerial pmsSerial(16, 17);  // RX, TX pins on ESP32
PMS pms(pmsSerial);
PMS::DATA data;

void setup() {
  Serial.begin(115200);
  pmsSerial.begin(9600);
  Serial.println("Air purifier sensor initializing...");
}

void loop() {
  if (pms.readUntil(data)) {
    Serial.print("PM 1.0 (ug/m3): ");
    Serial.println(data.PM_AE_UG_1_0);
    Serial.print("PM 2.5 (ug/m3): ");
    Serial.println(data.PM_AE_UG_2_5);
    Serial.print("PM 10.0 (ug/m3): ");
    Serial.println(data.PM_AE_UG_10_0);
  }

  delay(60000);  // Delay 1 minute between readings
}