Building a Peltier cooler-based cloud chamber - A simple construction from a scientist
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 28 ก.พ. 2023
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In this video, I show you how to build a simple, Peltier cooler-based cloud chamber to show the presence of ionizing particles. I specifically address the most important part of the chamber, which is the cooler because many people seem to misunderstand how to use Peltier coolers.
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Excellent explanation of how Peltier coolers work. I saw a guy make a compressor based cloud chamber. It was very neat, but beyond most people's grasp. This is very accessible. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you very much!
Yes, compressors are a bit more cumbersome and noisy to work with and it is hard to make a cooling system at home with them. This version with Peltier coolers is indeed more accessible and one can build it in half an hour. Stay tuned, I will build a significantly larger one in the future.
@@CuriousScientist That sounds great, looking forward to it!
My favorite channel
Thank you!
Fascinating!
Thank you! Science is indeed cool and fascinating!
Hi! I would like to know how could you provide 90W for the bottom Peltier?
Did you use a especific power supply?
And why did you use a dc-dc converter?
Hi! The answers to your questions are carefully discussed in the video. Take your time and watch it!
I used a 12 V power supply and two DC-DC converters to adjust the voltage to both Peltier coolers individually.
Hi, this is a very helpful video. I am trying to build this chamber for a school project. Is it reusable for multiple sessions? Also, what low radiation samples (minerals or other materials) could I use where one is a strong alpha emitter and one is a strong beta emitter? This is because I want to see if I can identify betas and alphas based on how they deflect near a magnet combined with their track shapes. Thanks!
Do you think a permanent magnet is strong enough to deflect them?
Hi! A strong neodymium magnet should be good enough, but you might not notice large deflections because the surface area is small (short path). The device can run as long as you want, but for a very long-term use, I would avoid plexi similar acrylic sheets for the chamber because they can crack due to the alcohol vapor. For the minerals, use Google. 😉
@@CuriousScientist Thank you, what dimensions of the stage do you think would have long enough paths to see deflection?
This is very hard to answer. It depends on how you create the particles. Their speed and the strength of the external magnetic field determine the curvature of the trajectory. The formula is r=mvqB, where r is the radius of the curvature, m is the mass of the particle, v is the speed, q is the charge, and B is the magnetic flux densely.
@@CuriousScientist Thank you for your insight again, I would like to ask another question if that's okay. I need to have good quality footage of the tracks so that I can look over them afterwards. Your video was a good example of the quality I am looking for, what kind of camera did you use?
I've watched a lot of your videos and I love them. But I still can't settle my mind on which peltier model should I use to make a single stage drink chiller/ or a personal ac (for use outdoor of course). Can you please recommend a peltier model for my use case? And also, is the TEC12708 the most efficient?
Hi! It depends on a lot of parameters. You haven't said anything about your power source, required cooling parameters and so on. Also, these Peltiers typically have similar efficiency, they just have different cooling power.
@@CuriousScientist for power source, I want to use 3x 3,7v lithium cell. For cooling power I'm not sure exactly but about 20-40w. I'm planning to cool the hot side by air with a radiator about 2/3 as big as a typical cpu cooler. I will appreciate any advice about my setup
If you want such a small cooling power, maybe even a 12703 is enough. You can check the datasheet of the Peltier coolers and see their charts. You can then see the achievable cooling power vs temperatures. Then you can pick that is closest to your requirements. However, 20 W cooling power is not so much, so don't have very high expectations.
@@CuriousScientist ok, thank you for your time.
@@panzerkampfwagen161 You're welcome. Let me know in the future about how your system works.
How long are the screws you used? Can you provide a link for it? Thanks.
Hi! I can not provide a link, but I can tell you that the bolts are M4x50mm hex socket head cap screws.
@@CuriousScientist Hi thanks for your response. I had another question, what do you think about the viability of producing cloud chambers on a mass scale using TEC modules? Do you think this would be possible? What constraints might there be?
It is possible, but the cooling has to be good. Otherwise, I don't see issues.
Why did you not put thermal paste under the piece of glove?
Because the glove is so thin, it doesn't matter.
Hi there, I want to increase the surface area of the cooling side so I can see the trails in a larger surface area. Also it is difficult to see inside the chamber due to the small size of the chamber.
What would be the max surface area size you think I can do? Would 8cmX8cm work? Could I go larger?
I am using one TEC 2 module so it should be more powerful than these.
Hi! I have a video on building a 20x20 cm Peltier-cooled cloud chamber. Check that video, and you'll get a rough idea about the necessary cooling. BTW, there are several TEC2 Peltier coolers, so I have no suggestions because you haven't provided any parameters.
@@CuriousScientist @@CuriousScientist Hi, the module I am using is a TEC2-19006. Also, what do you think of the use of a high voltage grid within the chamber? Is it required?
I see that you have not used it in any of your videos.
Actually, I am working on the addition of a grid. It is not necessary, but it makes the traces more visible. So if it is not a big trouble, you should add it.
could it be made rainbow do you think?? or maybe useing addresable leds?
You can use colored LEDs to illuminate the oversaturated alcohol vapor, but making rainbow is based a different principle.
Why do you turn on the bottom cooler first? Is there a safety concern?
It is more like common sense. The bottom cooler has to cool the top one, right?! So, it is better to already start providing cooling for the top cooler by first powering on the bottom cooler. Then, afterwards the top cooler can be powered on, too. Otherwise, they might behave "funny" if they are started at the same time.
You can try to make air conditionel with peltie =40 degree
It won't work, even if you suggest it under all my Peltier cooler related videos...
I've embarked in replicating this. The most trouble I'm having is with the stupid acrylic sheets. Any advice?
Use smart acrylic sheets instead of stupid ones...
(If you don't describe the issue, I cannot help.)
@CuriousScientist I was just enduring my first experience with cutting acrylic sheets. Went through a few different methods, but finally got decent results with a proper setup with good clamps, a straight edge, a plastic trimmer blade, etc. I tried to do it without clamps and with an exacto knife at first, and found out pretty quickly that I wasn't very good at it. Finally got the chamber built, and I'm just awaiting on a power supply to arrive in a day or two. Great tutorial, very grateful for the clear explanations and instructions you gave. Hoping to see some alpha trails soon!
@@TrueBlueKangaroo They are relatively easy to cut if you know the technique. Just use a ruler and a sharp knife. After making the first cut, pull the knife through the groove you just created 5-10 times. You can still hold the ruler in place so the knife has a guide. Then put the sheet at the edge of the table in a way that the cut is facing upwards and it is parallel with the edge of the table. Support the whole area of the sheet sitting on the table and then just push the part down with a hand that is "hanging" in the air. You just really need a knife, a ruler and patience.
Is it possible to build the same but liquid cooled?
Sure.
@@CuriousScientist I motivated my physics teacher to build one with me so I don't know what's the best choice for long term. The device also needs to be easily handled, and we want to avoid parts that break over short time.
If you want an easy to handle device, then forget about water cooling. A CPU cooler is much simpler and especially cheaper. And on the long run it is easier to maintain. I can get this thing up and running within 2 minutes, and all I need is to connect 2 pairs of cables and put a little rag with alcohol in the chamber. Simple.
@@CuriousScientist ok thanks. I'll try to build my prototype as you showed, and maybe make it longer by adding one CPU cooler with the 2 cells.
Thanks for your advices!
Like your vids! You sound a lot like me and also curious in the same things, it's creepy actually :D
Thank you very much!
Are you me by any chance? 😀
@@CuriousScientist Maybe, are you also into lasers, RF stuff, radioactivity, 3d printing, circuit logic analyzers, smart home, VR? :D
Ah, then you are 50-60% me. 😄
@@CuriousScientist You'll get there :DDD
How much is this gonna cost?
I have all the parts listed on my website so you can calculate it... This tiny chamber is not super expensive, maybe around $100-150 with all the parts.
I'm not trying to be rude, just help you pronounce the word parameter better its like (pah ram-iter), also I kind of get the basics of this in feeling but I like to keep most of it unknown until I have a reason to know it, and would like to ask you if you have ever looked up aerogel and starlight, I think aerogel may also nullify the transfer of cold at all compared to starlight, which is like glue and baking soda or something and only a heat insulator falls apart made from cheap supplies, but the gel should possibly disapate almost completely the transfer, so you would likely have to incorporate it in the inside in order to get more amazing results, but I'd like to hear your feedback.
No offense was taken. English is obviously not my native language so I appreciate constructive feedback. Sure, I have heard about the above materials (I am a material scientist, so it is kind of unavoidable to not know about them, especially aerogels). Aerogels are still some sort of exotic materials. They are expensive and hard to obtain. They are also brittle, so it would be really hard to incorporate them in my projects. I do not really need a good insulation in this specific project because it is a very little volume and the Peltier cooler and the CPU cooler can deal with the heat pretty well.
14:53 don't do this at home.
proceeds to work with piece that was extracted from smoke alarm desighned 4 homes .
I am fairly educated in this field, so I know what I am doing. But that small piece of americium could cause a lot of issues if it is handled negligently.
Are the ads really worth it...?
What do you mean?
@@CuriousScientisti had 2 ads in the begining, 2 in the midle and 1 in the end. It's worsening the watching experience sooo much and you only have 10k subs, you shouldn't even earn a $ or two from this video
So i think ads are worsening your content's quality
Well, the easiest way to avoid this is to not watch my videos.
Also, the ads generate income, so I can pay for the components you can see in the video and I can pay for the web hosting for my website.
Why should not I earn money with my videos?
@@CuriousScientist it isn't what i said. I think it isn't worth the trouble. But hey man, do what you want, it's your channel, your videos, your content and i enjoy watching it. I discovered you with the linear CCD video btw. But 7 ads is really a lot... too much in my opinion
Hmm, that 7 ads is interesting because I haven't added that much. I only added 4. But I guess, I can only mark where the ads should pop up, but I cannot control how many ads should be shown at a place. I reduced it to two, we will see if other people will complain. (BTW, among those "only 10k subs", you are the first one to complain about the ads. 😄)
@RcLifeOn
I saw his video, and unfortunately, he has no idea about how to work with Peltier coolers.
@@CuriousScientist lol Ya that does not surprise me. Well if he sees this video he should be able to learn a lot!.
This is a great project. I want to make one to put on display. Building it into a shadow frame will also look very cool.
Looking forward to the 10 by 10. Managing all that heat can be difficult but you don't need much cooling power just need a large difference with these cloud chambers. Maybe using insulated glass could help with a larger chamber so you don't need as much cooling power. Also, the website looks great!
Thank you! I hope anyone watching the video will be able to learn something from it.
I think I more or less figured out the thermal management for the larger system. Let's hope it will also work in practice. Now I just need to save some money so I can buy the components. 😄
Also, thanks for the compliment on the website. I am glad to receive such feedback because I try to keep the website clean and tidy and easy to read.
@CuriousScientist Whats the rough estimate needed for the components for the larger chamber build?
@@mudbuckets8902 Hi! I think I could make a large one with a roughly 20 cm x 20 cm area from $400-$600, depending on the parts I can source.