Touchless Bin STEM Kit with Arduino Uno - Thermal Expansion Project
Measure Thermal Expansion Touchlessly
Every part needed, pre-tested for compatibility, with an AI build companion trained on this exact project. Shipped from Bengaluru in 3-5 days.
Imagine turning a simple trash can into a scientific instrument that reveals one of physics' fundamental principles - thermal expansion. With this kit, you'll assemble a touchless measurement system: an HC-SR04 ultrasonic sensor precisely tracks the length of a metal rod, while a DS18B20 digital thermometer records its temperature in real time. As you gently heat the rod, the distance reading changes on the 16x2 LCD, letting you see with your own eyes how metals expand. This is project-based STEM learning made tangible and exciting, perfect for school science fairs or curious young makers.
What You'll Build
You'll create a fully functional touchless bin that doubles as a thermal expansion demonstrator. The sensor pair mounted on the bin allows you to place a metal rod nearby and observe its elongation as it warms up. The LCD displays simultaneous temperature and distance, giving you a clear, numeric proof of the expansion. The build is clean, breadboard-based, and requires no soldering - just plug, upload the code, and start experimenting.
What You'll Learn
- How thermal expansion works and why different materials expand at different rates, measured with real data.
- Interfacing the HC-SR04 ultrasonic sensor to capture precise distance changes down to the millimetre.
- Reading temperature from the DS18B20 one-wire sensor and converting it to visual data on an LCD.
- Using the I2C backpack to reduce wiring complexity, and debugging sensor readings with Arduino code.
Kit Contents
| Component | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Arduino Uno R3 | 1 |
| DS18B20 Probe | 1 |
| HC-SR04 | 1 |
| 16x2 LCD | 1 |
| I2C Backpack | 1 |
| 4.7k? Resistors | 5 |
| 10k? Resistors | 5 |
| 400-pt Breadboard | 1 |
| M-M Wires | 20 |
| 9V Battery Snap | 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 ideal for school students from Class 6 to 10 exploring heat and measurement concepts, CBSE Class 11-12 physics students verifying thermal expansion, and B.Tech ECE/EEE first-year students learning sensor integration. It's also a ready-made project for ATL Tinkering Labs, science exhibitions, and Smart India Hackathon junior challenges where hands-on demonstration scores high marks. No prior electronics experience is required - the breadboard wiring is guided step-by-step.
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 included to access the AI companion, which provides real-time troubleshooting specific to this kit. You can also message us on WhatsApp for support from our engineers.
Will I need to solder anything?
No soldering is necessary. All connections are made on the included breadboard using the jumper wires, and the LCD's I2C backpack snaps directly onto the display.
Can I see both temperature and distance at once?
Absolutely. The 16x2 LCD shows the current temperature from the DS18B20 on the top line and the distance measured by the HC-SR04 on the bottom line, updating live.
What if I don't have a metal rod?
A metal rod is not included, but any iron or aluminium rod (even a sturdy wire) from home or a hardware store works perfectly. The system is designed to detect tiny length changes, so a piece of a metal hanger or a nail can demonstrate the effect.
Touchless Bin - DS18B20 temperature and HC-SR04 distance prove thermal expansion of a metal rod under heat.
What's in this kit
Other projects you can build
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