Arduino-Controlled Chemical Foam Spewing Pumpkin

If the thought of dozens of tricker-or-treaters in gross-out costumes knocking down your door makes you want to spew, have we got the pumpkin for you! Every time the Arduino-Controlled Chemical Foam Spewing Pumpkin encounters a trick-or-treater at your doorstep, it spews burning chemical foam all over your front lawn. Now you can convey how much trick-or-treaters make you want to vomit, without doing any real vomiting yourself. So grab some antacid to settle your stomach, and dive deep into these helpful instructions to build your own.

Arduino-Controlled Chemical Foam Spewing Pumpkin

Step 1: Materials

[box color=”#985D00″ bg=”#FFF8CB” font=”verdana” fontsize=”14 ” radius=”20 ” border=”#985D12″ float=”right” head=”Major Components in Project” headbg=”#FFEB70″ headcolor=”#985D00″]

(x1) Large round pumpkin
(x1) Square Nalgene 1000 ml bottle
(x2) Square Nalgene 250 ml bottles
(x1) 5′ of 3/8″ rubber tubing
(x1) 100g potassium iodide mixed in a 2M solution
(x2) 500 ml 35% hydrogen peroxide solution
(x1) dish soap (economy style, not natural stuff)
(x1) food coloring
(x2) 5/8″ rubber grommets
(x2) brass check valves for liquid
(x2) 3/8″ barbs
(5′) rubber 3/8″ hose
(x1) Teflon tape
(x4) small diameter hose clamps
(x2) self-priming pumps
(x1) PCB
(x2) 5V SPST relays
(x1) 10K resistor
(x1) Arduino
(x1) M-type connector
(x1) 9V battery clip
(x1) 9V battery
(x1) 22AWG red and black solid-core wire
(x1) 9V / 2.5A wall wart
(x1) 3′ floor switch material
(x1) Halloween Door Mat
(x1) Assorted alligator clips
(x1) Assorted zip ties[/box]

How to make Chemical Foam

The chemical foam is made from mixing a few simple ingredients:

  • Hydrogen Peroxide (the stuff you put on scrapes and cuts is 3%, the one we’re using is 35%)
  • Potassium Iodide (mixed in a 2M solution)
  • Dish Soap (not the eco-friendly kind – get regular stuff like Palmolive)
  • Food Coloring

When you mix the ingredients above in the correct proportions, you get foam, potentially lots of it.  Be safe when working with these chemicals and use common sense.  35% Hydrogen Peroxide is a powerful oxidizer and should be handled with rubber gloves, goggles, and long sleeves.  Always use best chemical practices when making chemical foam.

Step 2: Drill holes in mixing chamber

Drill holes in mixing chamber

Drill two 5/8″ holes into the 1000ml square nalgene container that will serve as the mixing chamber.

The check flow valves are attached directly to the mixing chamber and thread themsleves in as they are twisted into position with a wrench.

This part is a little tricky, as a safety precaution we capped the ends of the MIP threaded check valve with a compression fitting – a brass nut of sorts that was just small enough to fit through the mouth of the bottle and screwed into place.  We used a piece of metal tapped onto the nut to hold the compression fitting in place as the check valve was screwed in so that it threaded itself on.

Wrap the check valves with teflon tape and screw on the brass barbs.

For more detail: Arduino-Controlled Chemical Foam Spewing Pumpkin


About The Author

Ibrar Ayyub

I am an experienced technical writer with a Master's degree in computer science from BZU Multan University. I have written for various industries, mainly home automation and engineering. My writing style is clear and simple, and I am skilled in using infographics and diagrams. I am a great researcher and am able to present information in a well-organized and logical manner.

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