Glo-Tech: An Innovative Thermal Scanner and Anti - COVID Transmission Device

In partial fulfillment of the requirements in

Practical Research II

By:

STEM Strand

Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Strand

Universidad de Sta. Isabel Pili Campus

February 2022
 CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION

As of November 18, 2021, the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID – 19) had

been confirmed in over 220 countries and territories. The virus had infected almost 256 million

people worldwide, and the number of deaths had reached 5.1 million. COVID – 19 is highly

contagious; it spreads from person to person through contact and also respiratory transmission.

Due to the spread of COVID – 19 across the world, it has accelerated the need to reliably

and quickly identify people who are infected and contagious [1]. Therefore, all workplaces,

public places as well as crowded places such as malls, airports, train stations, bus stations, gyms,

hospitals, churches, and etc. should provide a body temperature screening procedure to prevent

the disease from spreading.

In our daily life, the measurement of body temperature is a basic way to determine the

normal life of the human body. Temperature screening is therefore proposed as a procedure for

accessing to controlled areas and facilities [2]. The World Health Organization (WHO) promoted

the use of thermal imaging cameras for body temperature screening to deal with global health

due to COVID – 19. In fact, the facilitators of workplaces and public places had the obligation to

measure the body temperature of workers, public employees and other people at the entrances of

these places [3].

Yet, measuring body temperature is a complex task, especially when it aims to identify

infected subjects in a quick and reliable way. As a consequence, body temperature measurement

should be sufficiently accurate, reliable and reproducible for the related social and health

implications especially to the COVID – 19.

 Several methods for measuring human’s body temperature exist. Body temperatures has

historically been measured using contact thermometers either mounted on the forehead or

inserted in the mouth, ear, armpit or rectum [4]. Non – contact thermometers read body

temperature through limited or no contact with an individual’s body. In other words, body

temperature can be determined without the pain of having to keep the mouth, armpit or rectum

immobilized with a thermometer long enough to get an accurate reading. Inhibiting the need

for contact means that thermometer disinfection between patients is unnecessary; allowing for

faster use during mass screenings in different places including workplace and public places

especially malls [5][6].

Only infrared thermometers and thermal imaging cameras allow almost instantaneous and

contactless temperature measurements. With the development of infrared technology, infrared

thermometers have also been recognized by the public due to their safety and rapidity. Infrared

thermometers were based on the principles of black body radiation to measure an individual’s

infrared radiation wavelength, followed by the body temperature measurement [7]. Infrared

sensors used by infrared thermometers are for absorbing the radiation of human body without

any emission, which uses a passive non – contact measurement methods and can effectively

prevent cross infection of an individual’s body. Therefore, infrared thermometers are safe and

convenient, and does not cause harm to the human body [8].

Probably the most debated issue in remote temperature techniques is its reliability. In

fact, such measurement is particularly influenced by the unavoidable instrumental uncertainties

and by the operator’s ability. However, the accuracy of noncontact temperature measurement can

be improved through utilization of dual-band or multiband infrared sensing [9]. In fact, these

sensors are more costly and complicated, provided of unknown emissivity and of some
background noise, since the infrared emitted from the target at different wavelengths bands is

detected [10].

In this study, the researchers aim to construct an innovative noncontact device designed

to be placed near the main entrances of workplaces, schools, and public places as well as

crowded places such as malls and hospitals to measure people’s body temperatures with an

alcohol dispenser type for disinfection as a procedure to prevent the spread of COVID – 19

disease.

The body temperature recorded through temperature sensor will be presented on an LCD

screen. After that, entry is either allowed or denied depending on the device’s recorded body

temperature that will make either of the green led light or red led light blink determining if your

temperature is very high or normal.

To summarize, this study will mainly focus on constructing an innovative device that will

help lessen a facilitator’s work (thermal scanning) manually and usage of time on mass

screenings, and perform its objectives as an anti – COVID transmission instrument.

1.1. Statement of the Problem

This study aims to construct an innovative device that will help lessen a facilitator’s work

(thermal scanning) on mass screenings and able to perform its objectives as an anti – COVID

transmission instrument. Specifically, it pursues to answer the following questions:

1. What are the advantages and disadvantages of Glo-Tech device?

2. Is there any significant difference between the Glo-Tech and other anti – coronavirus

devices?
 3. Is the accuracy and performance of the device in reading the body temperature will be

affected by an individual’s core body temperature?

1.2. Hypothesis

Ho: There is no significant difference between the Glo-Tech and other anti – coronavirus

devices.

H1: There is a significant difference between the Glo-Tech and other anti – coronavirus

devices.

1.3. Significance of the Study

This study will provide information about the coronavirus disease of today’s century with

included process and practices. More importantly, to present this upgraded concept of gadget,

Glo-Tech should able to assure the reliability and accuracy of remote temperature techniques.

Furthermore, this may also contribute in forming new ideas to other researchers aiming to craft

another finer device for the daily prevention of contagious viruses.

In measuring an individual’s temperature, this study will able to uncover critical stages

during the outbreak of the virus. For the researchers, this study will be a great procedure to

determine the functions of Glo-tech and other anti-corona instruments in the educational aspect

that many researches were not able to explore. Through the use of Glo-Tech, facilitators

especially security guards’ work load and usage of time on mass screenings will be reduced that

they can focus more on their work than checking the temperature of the individuals who enter a

certain place or building.

1.4. Scope and Limitations

This study aspires facilitators like guards in workplaces, school and public places to use

the GloTech as an alternative to lessen their work manually and usage of time on mass

screenings. The GloTech is designed to be placed near the main entrances of these places for

mass screenings working independently without a facilitator’s work or help. In this study, the

researchers will only focus: (1) Ability of the device to record body temperature accurately and

reliably. (2) On the capability of the device to perform its objectives as an anti – COVID

transmission instrument. The device can only measure surface or body temperatures; it cannot

measure the internal temperature of foods or other materials.

1.5. Definition of Terms

Accuracy. The degree to which the result of a measurement, calculation, or specification

conforms to the correct value or a standard.

Body Temperature. Usually measured to obtain a quick evaluation of a person’s health.

Capability. Amount of work a person or object can do and how well they can do it.

COVID – 19. An infectious disease caused by the SARS – CoV-2 virus. Most people

infected with the virus will experience mild to moderate respiratory illness.

Facilitator. A person who guides and manages an event to ensure that the group

objectives are met effectively.

Infrared Thermometer. A thermometer that is ideal for taking temperatures accurately

without ever having to touch the object or an individual.

 Innovative. Process of turning a certain concept into something new and original

featuring new ideas or new methods.

Mass screenings. Term used to indicate the large-scale screening of whole population

groups.

Non-Contact. Not relating or involving any type of body contact.

Reliable. Being consistently good in quality or performance. Giving the same results on

successive trials.

Sensor. A device that measures physical input from its environment and converts it into

data that can be interpreted by either human or a machine.

Thermal Scanning. A procedure that detects, records, and produces a careful analysis

and images of skin surface temperature patterns (body heat) as a reflection of normal or

abnormal human physiology.

 CHAPTER 2

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE AND STUDIES

This chapter presents relevant studies and literature. Also, this chapter involves some

excerpts from the thesis, books, the internet, and other journals that can help and add to the

analysis of the current study on the development of innovative thermal scanner which is the Glo-

Tech.

Related Literatures

Hand movement data acquisition is used in many engineering applications ranging from

the analysis of gestures to the biomedical sciences. Glove-based systems represent one of the

most important efforts aimed at acquiring hand movement data. While they have been around for

over three decades, they keep attracting the interest of researchers from increasingly diverse

fields. It also analyzes the characteristics of the devices, provides a road map of the evolution of

the technology, and discusses limitations of current technology and trends at the frontiers of

research. A foremost goal of this literature is to provide readers who are new to the area with a

basis for understanding glove systems technology and how it can be applied, while offering

specialists an updated picture of the breadth of applications in several engineering and

biomedical sciences areas.

 It is very important these days to identify the possible patients of COVID 19 to minimize

the people who became infected. There must a test to identify the people who has COVID 19 by

thermal scanner to know if the person has infected. Advance thermal scanner gloves is designed

to organize, notify and scan all the people who comes in to prevent the entering of people who

have COVID 19. advance thermal scanner gloves plan using a glove that put in the wall in the

door. Left and right hand of the glove’s device is developed using 2-axis motion device.

Activation of data capturing once the person enter the door using PIR proximity sensor getting

the temperature data putting down the data gathered which shall not exceed to 38.8°. voice

indication will activate if the person who entered is above 38.8° (2020).

Surico (2020) proposes the utilization of thermal imaging scanners to be available for

civilian use especially in countries financially affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. With the

current pandemic, thermal scanners prove to be am efficient solution to aid in the survival and

revival of the heavily impacted industries. These thermal scanners are able to make images of

infrared radiation and ate typically more sensitive to heat wavelengths compared to light.

Because of this, there is easier identification of people's body temperatures, whether they are in

crowds or not. Certain innovations like these are now clearly evident in aiports like those of in

Hong Kong and Japan, including African countries that have begun manufacturing thermal

imaging scanners to use for detection in ports of entry.

Thermal imaging technology is being used to detect potential cases of COVID-19 and

filter out individuals in public spaces who are suspected of suffering from the virus. It detects

heightened temperature that may be due to a fever, one of the most common symptoms of the

disease. Around the world, governments, companies, and other entities are using or planning to

rely on thermal imaging as part of their strategy to reopen economies. In this post, we map out
the leading technologies and products used for thermal imaging, review the key technical

limitations of thermal scanning as described in scientific literature, and discuss the privacy

concerns raised by privacy and civil rights advocates.

According to the publisher, Akash Takyar, COVID-19 or Coronavirus has been

announced as pandemic by the WHO. It continues to spread widely and claim lives, I am trying

to put together a repository of how technology is helping to contain or help people during the

outbreak. Many technologies have been adopted in every place to control the deadly virus

spread. Authorities at the airport and public places are using thermal imaging equipment to

detect if a person’s body temperature is above the normal range. In case it is detected to be high,

the authorities are keeping records and suggesting the person to the medical authorities for

further treatments. Thermal screening cameras have been installed at airports across many

countries that are being used to screen travelers flying in every country. These devices are used

to detect body temperature and find who has a higher body temperature or who is running a high

fever.

Thermal scanners are being used widely at airports because checking every passenger’s

body temperature with thermometers can be a nightmare and cause delays at immigration

counters. Thermal cameras have the potential to scan the large crowd and spot individuals with

high temperatures. Once authorities identify people with high fever, they send them for further

screening. If they tested positive from the virus, they will undergo 14th days of quarantine to

observe their symptoms.

Related Studies
 In the study, the use of thermal imaging devices and non-contact infrared thermometers

to detect increased temperatures is supported by the scientific literature. These devices have

numerous advantages, but they must be used correctly to obtain accurate data. Because a high

temperature does not always indicate a COVID-19 infection, more assessment, and diagnostic

testing are required to identify if someone is infected with COVID-19. ( Maggie

Galehouse,2020).

In another study, individuals who have higher temperatures, such as those who have

COVID-19, can be promptly detected. Thermal scanners help reduce physical contact during

social distancing and streamline staff flow during shift changes when entrances are busiest.

(Fletcher, T., et al.,2018.).

Howard et al. (2021) Reducing disease spread requires two things: limiting contacts of

infected individuals via physical distancing and other measures and reducing the transmission

probability per contact. Public mask wearing is most effective at reducing spread of the virus

when compliance is high. Given the current shortages of medical masks, we recommend the

adoption of public cloth mask wearing, as an effective form of source control, in conjunction

with existing hygiene, distancing, and contact tracing strategies. Because many respiratory

particles become smaller due to evaporation, we recommend increasing focus on a previously

overlooked aspect of mask usage: mask wearing by infectious people (“source control”) with

benefits at the population level, rather than only mask wearing by susceptible people, such as

health care workers, with focus on individual outcomes.

Masks have been recommended as a potential tool to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic

since the initial outbreak in China (1), although usage during the outbreak varied by time and
location (2). Globally, countries are grappling with translating the evidence of public mask

wearing to their contexts. These policies are being developed in a complex decision-making

environment, with a novel pandemic, rapid generation of new research, and exponential growth

in cases and deaths in many regions. There is currently a global shortage of N95/FFP2 respirators

and surgical masks for use in hospitals. Simple cloth masks present a pragmatic solution for use

by the public. This has been supported by most health bodies. We present an interdisciplinary

narrative review of the literature on the role of face masks in reducing COVID-19 transmission

in the community.

CHAPTER 3

METHODOLOGY

This chapter presents the procedures or methods that will be applied in the design

processing and construction of the “Gloves Technology” (Glo-Tech). Each procedure has

corresponding explanations.

Research Method

Acquisition of
Materials

Construction of the
Device

Programming of the
Internal Layout
Attachment of Sensors Sensors and Modules
and Modules
 Testing the Device

Data Gathering

Fig.1. Flow of Procedures.

The materials required for the device’s construction were procured. The materials utilized

in this study were purchased from online stores, specifically the Arduino Uno, MLX906

(Infrared or Temperature Sensor), Male to Female Jumper Wires, LEDs, Arduino Nano At Mega

328P, CH340G, 16 x 2 LCD display 12C, and Switch. These materials were utilized in the main

structure of the device.

2.1. Acquisition of Materials

Table 1: The materials and its functions.

MATERIALS FUNCTIONS

Arduino – Uno Low – cost, flexible, and easy to use open-

source programmable microcontroller board

that may be used in a wide range of electronic

applications. This board can operate relays,

LEDs, servos, and motors as an output and

can be interfaced with other Arduino boards,

Arduino shields, and Raspberry Pi boards.

Infrared Sensor (MLX90614) Contactless Infrared (IR) Digital Temperature

Sensor that measures the temperature of a

 specific object between -70 degree C and

382.2-degree C. I2C interface with 16 x 2

LCD display panel. It can display 16 x 2

characters on two lines in white on blue

background. Its contrast can also be manually

changed.

I2C communication interface Used in this I2C 16 x 2 Arduino LCD Screen.

It simply needs four pins for the LCD display;

VCC. GND, SDA, and SCL.

Male and Female Jumper Wires Conducting wires that establish an electrical

connection between two points in a circuit.

Breadboard Thin plastic board that is used to connect

electronic components such as transistors,

resistors, and chips. Prototypes of electronic

circuits are created using this technique.

DC Power Switch Used to interrupt very large current flows.

The researchers acquired the following materials: Arduino – Uno, MLX906 (Infrared or

Temperature Sensor), Male to Female Jump Wires, LEDs, CH340G, 16 x 2 LCD display, I2C

communication interface, switch, and other materials needed in the process of construction of the

device.

2.2. Construction of the Device

 In the construction of the device, it was divided into two sections (1) Internal Layout; the

inner construction of the device with the specific details utilized (2) Programming of the Sensors

and Modules; the section where the researchers programmed the sensors and modules to help the

device achieve its objectives.

2.2.1. Internal Layout

Fig. 2. Circuit Diagram of the Device with and without LCD Screen.

After the preparation of the materials, soldering of the wires was conducted in every

components of the device. The connections were doublechecked to prevent damage and

malfunctioning. Furthermore, the LCD display and Infrared Sensor (MLX90614) were attached

together in parallel to be connected to Arduino - Uno.

2.2.2. Programming of the Sensors and Modules

 Fig.3. Code of the Infrared Sensor (MLX90614).

The researchers used an app, Arduino IDE, in programming Arduino - UNO and Infrared

sensor (MLX90614) with the use of Arduino language. The program was used for the activation

of the sensor for the device to achieve its objectives.

2.3. Attachment of Sensors and Modules

 Fig.4. Programming of the Infrared Sensor (MLX90614).

After programming the Sensors and Modules, it will be attached in the main structure of

the device. Each sensors and modules have its own functions that would help the device for

better functionality and achieving its objectives.

The connection of the wires should be observed by the researchers to prevent short –

circuit connection problems such as sparks and explosions.

2.4. Testing of the Device

Fig.5. Testing the (MLX90614) Infrared Sensor’s Function.

In testing the device, the researchers will test the capability, accuracy and reliability in

measuring temperature of the infrared sensor (MLX90614) in an individual’s body.

2.5. Data Gathering

 After testing the device, the researchers will observe and record the observation regarding

the device’s testing.

CHAPTER 4
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Fig.6. Program Error Detection.

 The researchers met different types of problems when conducting the research study.

Malfunctioning of the device’s sensors and modules and program error detections are the main

problems the researchers encountered in the device’s testing.

Fig.7. The Device’s Testing.

In this part, the researchers tried to measure body temperature but the infrared sensor

didn’t function. It is because of the main problem, program error detection, why the sensor is not

functioning to perform its objective.

From the figures above, the connection for the internal part of the device was checked by

the researchers. The real main problem was the program detecting errors even though it was

doublechecked and changed multiple times for the program to be verified and uploaded to the

Arduino Uno which is responsible for the Infrared Sensor’s functioning.

 CHAPTER 5
CONCLUSION
GloTech could be useful for facilitators like guards in workplaces, school and public

places as an alternative to lessen their work manually and usage of time on mass screenings.

However, the researchers met such problems in focusing on the factors needed to be achieved by

the device: (1) Ability of the device to record body temperature accurately and reliably. (2) On

the capability of the device to perform its objectives as an anti – COVID transmission

instrument. The device was not able to function well due to programming errors which is one of

the main requirements for the device’s capability to perform its objectives without any problem.

Based from the trials conducted by the researchers, it was concluded that the research

questions cannot be answered due to problems met by the researchers in programming the device
for its functionality and capability to perform its objectives especially in accurate body

temperature reading and reliability.

RECOMMENDATIONS

Further knowledge is necessary for this study, especially in programming language, for

the device to be able to achieve its proper functioning especially the Infrared Sensor which is the

main factor that should be prioritized in this study. Also, it is necessary for the device to provide

an accurate body temperature reading and reliability to be able to reduce COVID transmission in

crowded places especially in public places.

For longer lifespan of the device, it is advised to make the device weather-proof and use

higher battery capacities for higher voltage outputs that can power the sensors and modules for a

longer period of time.

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