Callissa Clarkson
Pronouns: she/her
Research Mentor(s): Kimberlee Kearfott
Research Mentor School/College/Department: NERS/BME / Engineering
Program:
Authors: Callissa Clarkson, Nihar Ogale, Hythem Beydoun, Yehansa Dissanayake, Ava Miller, Jordan Noey, Kimberlee Kearfott
Session: Session 5: 2:40 pm – 3:30 pm
Poster: 26
Abstract
The University of Michigan Radiological Health Engineering Laboratory is developing a Makerspace featuring various detectors, electronics, and tools. Most recently, the lab acquired four Bambu Lab X1 Carbon three-dimensional (3D) printers, alongside four Automated Material System (AMS) units. The Bambu has one nozzle but supports printing up to 16 materials simultaneously when used with four AMS units. Typically, courses use campus-wide resources for 3D printing, leading to limited availability and additional cost. The makerspace has eliminated these issues by supporting multiple courses, including Engineering 100.900, an introductory course in radiation protection, and NERS 586, a graduate-level applied radiation measurements course. Printed materials have included the components for an experimental rig, composed of mounts for detectors, radioactive shields, and absorbers for attenuation experiments. Protective cases for Geiger-Mueller systems built by students are customized and then printed. Students could also print their own designs as part of the courses, such as collimators and detector shields designed to hold lead pellets. Various prizes, including characters, dice, decoders, and more, were printed as rewards for students while showcasing the limits and capabilities of 3D printing. The printers also support research: a stand was manufactured to support field samples inside a large volume well counter and supports printed for an optically stimulated luminescent dosimeter annealer. In addition to proving its utility in supporting nuclear sciences education and research, it will be included in outreach to high school students and the general public.
