Photoacoustic Gas Sensor Demo Kit with Arduino Mega + LED
Photoacoustic Gas Sensor Demo Kit — Quantify Gas Concentration with Arduino Mega and Laser
Every part needed, pre-tested for compatibility, with an AI build companion trained on this exact project. Shipped from Bengaluru in 3-5 days.
Build a working photoacoustic gas sensor that uses a modulated laser to induce acoustic waves in a target gas, then capture those waves with a MAX9814 microphone amplifier to quantify gas concentration. This advanced STEM project replicates a real-world analytical technique used in environmental monitoring and industrial safety. You'll walk away with a fully functional sensor and a deep understanding of optical-acoustic signal processing.
What You'll Build
A compact, Arduino Mega-powered setup where a 5mW laser diode periodically heats a gas sample inside a small cell, generating pressure waves proportional to the gas concentration. The MAX9814 mic amp picks up these faint acoustic pulses, which the Arduino processes in real time and displays on the 0.96-inch OLED. Timestamped data logs to a microSD card via the DS3231 RTC, ready for plotting or calibration.
What You'll Learn
- The photoacoustic effect: how modulated light energy converts to acoustic pressure in gases
- Precise modulation and synchronization of a laser with Arduino PWM and RTC timing
- Low-noise amplification and filtering of acoustic signals using the MAX9814 and LM358
- Creating a self-contained data-logging instrument with OLED display and microSD storage
Kit Contents
| Component | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Arduino Mega 2560 | 1 |
| 5mW Laser Module | 1 |
| MAX9814 Mic Amp | 1 |
| LM358 Op-Amp | 1 |
| DS3231 RTC | 1 |
| MicroSD Module | 1 |
| 0.96in OLED | 1 |
| 10kΩ Resistors | 5 |
| 100nF Caps | 10 |
| PCB Prototype Board | 2 |
| 9V Battery Snap | 1 |
| Soldering Iron | 1 |
| Solder Wire | 1 |
Why Buy This Kit Instead of Sourcing Parts Separately
| Factor | Sourcing Separately | Compoden Kit |
|---|---|---|
| Compatibility checks | You verify every part | Pre-tested as a system |
| Build support | Forums and scattered tutorials | AI companion trained on this exact project |
| Time to first working build | Days of debugging | Hours, with step-by-step guidance |
| Shipping coordination | Multiple sellers, multiple delays | One shipment from Bengaluru in 3-5 days |
Who This Kit Is For
This kit is targeted at B.Tech ECE/EEE students undertaking final-year or capstone projects, Smart India Hackathon teams that need a robust sensor demonstration, and research enthusiasts at IITs, NITs, VIT, BITS Pilani, and other engineering institutions. If you’re building a proof-of-concept for gas sensing, environmental monitoring, or spectroscopic instrumentation, this bundle gives you a reproducible hardware platform to experiment with.
Built and Backed by Compoden
Every Compoden kit ships with an AI build companion trained on this exact project — accessible via a QR code on the box, with WhatsApp and email backup. We’ve spent 10 years building projects for makers, schools, and institutions across India. If a part fails because of a manufacturing defect, replace it free within 7 days.
What if I get stuck during the build?
Scan the QR code inside to chat with the AI companion tailored to this kit, or message us on WhatsApp for direct troubleshooting from our support team.
Can this kit detect a specific gas like CO2 or methane?
The principle works for any gas that absorbs the laser wavelength. This demo is designed for air-based testing with the included 5mW laser. For specific gases, you would need a wavelength-matched laser module; the sensing and signal processing chain remains the same.
What prior knowledge do I need?
This is an advanced kit. You should be comfortable with Arduino programming, basic circuit assembly, and soldering. The AI companion provides detailed steps, but familiarity with signal processing and sensor interfacing will help you get the most out of it.
How can I use the data I log?
The microSD stores CSV files with timestamped acoustic amplitude readings. You can load them into Python, MATLAB, or Excel to plot concentration curves, calibrate the sensor, and analyze the relationship between laser modulation and detected signal.
Modulated laser heats gas. MAX9814 mic detects acoustic wave amplitude. Quantifies gas concentration.
What's in this kit
Choose your assembly option:
- Soldering Kit — 25W soldering iron, 60/40 solder wire, flux, and small perfboard for permanent assembly.
- Breadboard Combo — 800-point full-size breadboard with 65-piece jumper wire pack for solderless prototyping.
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Shipping Information
- Prepaid Orders: ₹75 for orders up to ₹999, FREE shipping above ₹999
- COD Orders: ₹125 shipping + ₹50 COD fee = ₹175 total
- Delivery Timeline: Dispatch in 1-2 days, delivery in 2-7 days depending on location
Returns & Warranty
- 7-Day Return: Manufacturing defects only (approval required)
- Warranty: 7 days from delivery
- Non-Returnable: Batteries, consumables, cut wires, clearance items