

Before plugging in the power supply, make sure that the alligator clips are securely held in place using the electrical tape.Make sure the wires are properly connected and that you are not operating the power supply close to water or with wet hands.Other injuries can include burns from the arc generated by the accidental contact. A person's body can provide a path for current flow causing tissue damage and heart failure. Furthermore, 20kV of electricity (which is the minimum supplied by the power supply in this project) can easily jump several inches, so do not allow anyone to touch or even come close (less than 8 inches) to the wires, alligator clips, or terminals on the X-ray tube while the power supply is on. Accidental contact with high voltage supplying sufficient energy can result in severe injury or death. This X-ray machine requires you to hook up and use a high-voltage power supply. Students may beĪble to borrow one from school or a local lab. The counter should be able to measure gamma and X-rays. For this machine it is recommended you encase most of the X-ray tube (see Machine Assembly below for details) with a 7.2 inch thick wall of solid concrete.Įssential for safety and testing the machine. Students may beĪble to borrow lead shielding from school or another local laboratory.Ĭoncrete bricks (variable cost least expensive option)Ĭoncrete is a cheaper but effective alternative to lead shielding. For this machine it is recommended youĮncase most of the X-ray tube (see Machine Assembly below for details) with a 1.2 inch thick wall of lead. Lead (as either sheets or bricks) is the most common radiation shielding material. To create a mounting platform for the X-ray machine. To prevent the X-ray tube from overheating by circulating air inside the shielding. To keep wire away from any metal objects that may cause arcing.įan most any tabletop style 6-7 inch fan will do. Rubber or styrofoam to use as insulating material Five are needed for the vacuum tubes listed above other brands may need more or less. To connect the power supply to the X-ray tube.Īlligator clips (5). Local hardware or home-construction store A variable high voltage power supply, capable of producing >20kV in adjustable increments, is better. The power supply must produce a minimum of 20,000 DC volts (20kV). This will help you make informedĭecisions about the type of radiation shielding you choose to purchase as well as other optional materials. Introduction to Radiation & Radiation Safety page before purchasing the materials. Make sure to read through the entire project and the The table below lists the materials needed to build the X-ray machine.

This X-ray machine can be assembled for as little as $300, assuming you borrow a Geiger counter for safety purposes. United States Occupational Safety and Health Administration.United States Nuclear Regulatory Committee.United States Environmental Protection Agency.United States Center for Disease Control.You may also be interested in reading Matthew's firsthand account of how he and Blake built their first X-ray machine and began their adventures in radiation experimenting: Science (and Radiation Experiments) as a Summer Hobby. To safely build an X-ray machine and experiment with radiation, you must read all parts of this guide as well as an Introduction to Radiation & Radiation Safety. However X-rays, like other forms of radiation, can be dangerous. You can build an X-ray machine at home by carefully following this how-to guide.
#Squish baby xray machine how to
As a Science Buddies 2011 Summer Science Fellow Matthew agreed to share his expertise about how to create a homemade X-ray machine. Together, Matthew and Blake took home the top ISEF prize. This resource was made possible by two enthusiastic high school students who developed this homemade X-ray machine to help them not only answer their many scientific questions, but also go on a fun scientific adventure.Ī plan for a homemade X-ray machine, an idea about how to increase the localized dose of radiation to cancer cells, and hours of researching, experimenting, and innovating-these were the ingredients for Matthew Feddersen and Blake Marggraff's success at the 2011 Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF). X-rays affect microorganisms, such as yeast, and developing the best X-ray images using film. The homemade X-ray machine can be used to do many relevant experiments, including but not limited to testing how This is a resource for making and using a homemade X-ray machine safely.
