Design and Development of a Smart Infrared Touchless Alcohol Dispenser for Enhanced Hand Hygiene

Abstract

Maintaining proper hand hygiene is essential for preventing the spread of infectious diseases in public and high-traffic environments. However, traditional alcohol dispensers often require physical contact, which may increase the risk of cross-contamination and lack effective monitoring of alcohol levels. This study presents the design and development of an infrared-based touchless alcohol dispenser with SMS notification aimed at promoting safer and more efficient hand hygiene practices.
The proposed system utilizes an infrared (IR) sensor to detect the presence of a user's hand and automatically activates a pump mechanism to dispense a controlled amount of alcohol without physical contact. A microcontroller serves as the central control unit that manages the sensing, dispensing, and monitoring processes. Additionally, a liquid level sensor continuously monitors the remaining alcohol level in the dispenser container. When the alcohol level reaches a predefined threshold, a GSM module automatically sends a Short Message Service (SMS) notification to designated personnel, enabling timely refilling and preventing service interruption.
The prototype was evaluated based on detection responsiveness, dispensing consistency, system reliability, and SMS notification performance. Results show that the system effectively provides touchless operation, controlled dispensing, and real-time refill alerts. The developed prototype demonstrates a low-cost, automated, and scalable hygiene solution suitable for schools, offices, and other public facilities, contributing to improved sanitation management and public health safety.