Lamar King
Research Mentor(s): Kimberlee Kearfott
Research Mentor School/College/Department: Nuclear Engineering and Radiological Sciences
Presentation Date: 08/03/2022
Presentation Type: Poster
Poster Number: 32
Session: Session II: 1:30 – 2:20pm
Room: League Ballroom
Authors: Lamar N King, Ryan A Kim, Andrew JE Kent, Jordan D Noey, Kimberlee J Kearfott
Abstract
The University of Michigan’s Radiological Health Engineering Laboratory is working on several radiation detection instrument and systems designed to detect radiation hazards. These include designing and testing smart radiation detectors, drones with built-in sensors, and stationary radiological environmental monitoring systems. My specific project is the Do-It-Yourself Geiger Muller (DIYgm) system. A GM tube, such as the one chosen as a sensor for DIYgm, counts higher energy beta and gamma radiation interacting with it. With a goal of maintaining costs low, the DIYgm project is designed to be assembled by anyone to serve as a learning experiencing while accurately and sensitively detecting radiation. A cellphone (mobile) application was written to work with the system, which is unique in that it includes a Raspberry Pi microcomputer. The lab hopes that by designing an easy-to-make device that can be made without expensive equipment, detecting and understanding radiation will be more accessible to the public. Citizens will not have to rely on corporations or government officials to ensure they are not being exposed to harmful levels of radiation. Instead, they will be able to monitor the radiation levels whenever and wherever they want, while putting in perspective natural background radiation. This is why the lab has committed to making the DIYgm project open source, meaning that all information is publicly available.
One of the main reasons I chose to study engineering was because it allows me to use my skills and education to increase the standard of living for people. I was drawn to this lab because I was impressed by the impact the work they were doing had on the community. I came in intending to develop my programming and device interfacing skills further while also getting experience working with mechanical design for the drones the lab uses for radiation detection. This summer, I have been developing and testing different Python and C++ scripts to create a line of serial communication, using the Inter-Integrated Circuit (I2C) methods, between two Raspberry Pis. With my successful implementation of the I2C protocol, it will now be possible to upload all the data collected by DIYgms anywhere in the world to the lab’s student-designed database which will ultimately be accessible through a public website.
