EduVIS Spectrometer

Project Overview

The EduVIS is an educational spectrophotometer I helped design and develop at Paxia LLC, where I serve as one of the co-founders and the lead hardware designer. This versatile instrument was created to make advanced spectroscopy accessible to educational institutions, with a focus on simplicity and affordability without compromising measurement quality.

Key Features

• Wavelength Range: 400-700 nm covering the visible spectrum
• High Resolution: 0.3 nm for accurate measurements
• Fast Sampling: Less than 2 seconds per measurement
• Wireless Connectivity: Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) for easy device pairing
• User-Friendly Interface: Cross-platform mobile application
• Durable Design: Metal frame built to withstand classroom use
• Complete Package: Includes 3 cuvettes and a protective Pelican case

Technical Implementation

Hardware Development

The spectrometer was designed using a combination of modern tools and techniques:

• PCB Design: KiCAD for electronic schematics and board layout
• Enclosure Design: Fusion360 for the precision metal enclosure
• Microcontroller: ESP32 for processing and wireless communication
• Firmware: Developed in C with optimizations for power efficiency
• Optics System: Custom designed light path with diffraction grating

Software Development

• Mobile Application: Cross-platform app for iOS and Android
• Data Processing: Real-time spectral analysis algorithms
• Experiment Library: Pre-configured setups for common educational experiments (coming soon)

Applications in Education

The EduVIS spectrometer enables hands-on learning experiences across multiple disciplines:

Biology

• Analyzing photosynthetic pigments
• Studying cell respiration
• Measuring bacterial growth curves
• Quantifying macromolecule content

Chemistry

• Demonstrating Beer-Lambert law
• Studying reaction kinetics
• Determining unknown concentrations
• Creating calibration curves

Environmental Science

• Water quality testing
• Soil analysis
• Detecting environmental pollutants

Future Development

Our roadmap for the EduVIS platform includes:

• Enhanced software features for data analysis and visualization

Visit Paxia’s website to learn more about the EduVIS spectrometer and our other laboratory equipment designed for education and research.