Project Title
Wireless Geiger Counter Development and Verification of Radiation Principles
Academic department under which the project should be listed
SPCEET - Mechanical Engineering
Research Mentor Name
Dr. Eduardo B. Farfán
Abstract (300 words maximum)
In this study, a fully functional Wireless Geiger counter was developed, calibrated, and tested using various beta and gamma radiation sources including cobolt-60 and cesium-137. The calibration was completed using a calibrated rate meter. The developed Geiger counter is sensitive to background radiation. A digital meter adapter was included to enhance the Geiger counter by providing counts per minute and dose in micro-sievert. The counter also produces an audible click and blinks a LED each time it detects radiation particle such as beta particle, x-ray or gamma ray. Radiation dose limits can be set and the audible click becomes continuous when a limit, set by the user, has been reached. In addition, two principles of radiation protection were verified using the developed Geiger counter: distance and shielding. Radiation intensity decreases as the distance between a person and a radioactive source increases. This intensity reduction follows the 1/r2 law, where r is distance. Several shielding materials including water, aluminum, and lead were used to demonstrate the principle of radiation shielding.
Disciplines
Nuclear Engineering
Wireless Geiger Counter Development and Verification of Radiation Principles
In this study, a fully functional Wireless Geiger counter was developed, calibrated, and tested using various beta and gamma radiation sources including cobolt-60 and cesium-137. The calibration was completed using a calibrated rate meter. The developed Geiger counter is sensitive to background radiation. A digital meter adapter was included to enhance the Geiger counter by providing counts per minute and dose in micro-sievert. The counter also produces an audible click and blinks a LED each time it detects radiation particle such as beta particle, x-ray or gamma ray. Radiation dose limits can be set and the audible click becomes continuous when a limit, set by the user, has been reached. In addition, two principles of radiation protection were verified using the developed Geiger counter: distance and shielding. Radiation intensity decreases as the distance between a person and a radioactive source increases. This intensity reduction follows the 1/r2 law, where r is distance. Several shielding materials including water, aluminum, and lead were used to demonstrate the principle of radiation shielding.