Electronics Sensors for the Evil Genius: 54 Electrifying Projects

307 Pages·2006·55.263 MB·English

by  Thomas Petruzzellis

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TOM PETRUZZELLIS
McGraw-Hill
New York Chicago San Francisco Lisbon
London Madrid Mexico City Milan New Delhi
San Juan Seoul Singapore Sydney Toronto
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Contents
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Introduction Fluid Sensor 91
IX
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Humidity Monitor 96
Chapler 1 Sound Energy 1
pH Mcter 99
Sound Energy 1
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Stream Stage Water-Level
Types of to.1icrophones 3
Measurement 103
Amplifying Sounds-
The Audio A mplifie r Chapter 5 Gas Sensing 111
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Electro nic Stethoscope 7 A ir Pressure Switch I I I
Unde rwater Hydropho ne 10 E lectronic Sniffer 114
Ultrasonic Listene r 16 8 argraph Pressure Sensor 118
lnfrasonics 19 Pel listor Combustible Gas Sensor 123
Electronic Barometer 127
Chapter 2 Light Detection and
Measurement
Chapter 6 Vibration Sensing 135
Light Detection Devices 26
Vibratio n Ho ur Meter 135
Listening to Light-Using an
Seismic Vibratio n A larm 137
28
O plo-Listene r
Piezo Se ismic Detector 140
Measuring the Solar ConSlant
Research Seismograph 144
Using a Radio meter 32
AS-l Specificatio ns 158
A Basic Radiometer Circuit 36
Chapter 7 Detecting Magnetic Fields 161
Measuring Ultraviolet Rays
Historical Review 161
Using an Ultraviolet Radiometer 39
Transfonner Actio n 162
Measuring Ozone-Using an
Ozone Meter 44 The Radiatio n Field and the
Sensitive Optical Tachometer 48 Induction Field 163
51 The Magnetic Fie ld 163
Turbidity
111e E lectronic Field 163
Chapter 3 Heat Detection 57
Magnetic Dctecto rs 164
Infrared Flame Sensor Switch 57
The Barkhausen E ffect 169
Freezing Temperature Alarm 59
Two-Inch Diame ter Pickup Coil and
Ovcrtemperature Alarm 61
Applications 170
64
Analog Data Logger System
E LF Monitor 173
LCD Thermometer 69
Shie lding 175
Night Scope Project 74
Electronic Compass 178
infrared Motion Detector 79
Sudden Ionospheric Disturbance
Chapter 4 Liquid Sensing 89
Receiver IS2
Rain DetecLOr 89
Earth Field Magneto meter 187
Contents
vii
Toroidal-Core Flux-Gate Sensor 188 The Jupiter Radio Telescope A ntenna 243
The Flux-Gate Sensor 189
Chapter 10 Radiation SenSing 247
Flux-Gate Magnetome ter 190
Space Radiation 247
Chapter 8 Sensing Electric Fields 195 Radiation Sources
on Earth 248
Electrostatic Fundamentals 195
Fun with a Cloud Chamber 248
Bui lding a Classic E lectroscope 200
Low-Cost Ion Chamber 251
Building a Leyden Jar 201
Low-Cost Ion Chamber Radiatio n
Building a Static Tube 202
Detector 252
Simple E lectronic Electroscope 203
Advanced Ion Chamber Radiation
Io n Detecto r 204
Detector 254
Atmosphe ric Electricity MonilOr 205
Experimenting with a Geiger Counter 258
Advanced E lectrometer 206
Appendix A
Cloud Charge Monitor 209
Helpful Contact Information 267
Electrical Field Disturbance Monitor 212
n
Appendix Data Sheets 271
Chapter 9 Radio Projects 221
Index 323
Radio Histo ry 221
Detecting Lightening 224
Lightning Detector 225
ELFN LF Radio or Nature's Radio 227
Shortwave Radio 234
Frequency Calibration 237
Jllpite r Radio Telescope 238
• • • Ele ct ronic Sensors for the Ev il Genius
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Introduction
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Electrollic Sel/sors for the £1';1 Genills: 54 Elecrrifvil1g tables. and diagrams. The appendix provides paris
Projecl.~ was created as a voyage of discovery for chil suppliers and project kits sources. 1-"
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dren. adults., science buffs. and for those at
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heart of aU ages. This book was designed to provide a
spark for the curiosity seeker. as well as to inspire
Chapter I-Sound Energy
curious children. students, and adullS alike toward
experimentation and explonnion of the sights.
sounds. and smells of the nalural world. which may Sound energy is a vcry exciting starting point for
not be detectable by limited range of human exploring and observing natural phenomena all
OUf
senses.. lbis book was also writlcn for electronics around us. The sound waves humans hear with our
hobbyists. as well as for electronics technicians and ears are but a very limited range of the audio spcc
engineers who wish to build and experiment wilb trum. Our perception of sound allows us to ··hear"·
electronics sensing and only a narrow slice of energy bctween 20 Hz to 15
detection circuits. KHz. In facl a whole range of aud io exists both above
and below our range. which we cannot perceive at all
Electronic Sensors for the EI'il Gel/illS: 54 Electrify
but are in fact very interesting to explore.
illg Projects will introduce the reader to how to sense.
detect. and monitor sound. light, heat. and gas as well In this chapter we will explore the interesting
as 10 vibration, magnetic. electric. radio, and radia worlds of audible. ultrasonic. and infrasonic sounds.
tion. In this book we will see what few may sec. hear You will investigate how to listen to high-frequency
what few have heard. and sense what few have sounds of animals and remote conversations and how
scnsed.lbe book should prove to be extremely help to track down noise and macbine faults with an elec
ful in aiding the reader to understand and appreciate tronic stethoscope. You will discover a whole new
some of the unseen and unheard energies all around universe of underwater sounds after building a
us. as well as to help the reader sense and monitor hydrophone and an audio amplifier. You will learn
these cnergies.1l1is book is written so that the inter that a lo ngitudinal mechanical wave whose frequency
ested reader can readily build. test. and explore the is below the audible range is called an infrasollic
fascinating and often mysterious world of natural wave (illfrareli light wa\·cs are waves below red
phenomena. We will introduce tbe reader to many light). and one whose frequency is above the audible
different types of sensors., detectors. and transducers. range is called an ultrasonic wave (1IItrtlL'iolet waves
which convert one form of energy to another. arc above violet light).111e longest wavelength sound
waves that can affect the nomml human ear (20 Hz)
Our hope is Ihut Eteclr(Jllic Sel/sors for the EI'jf
are a thousand times as long as the shortest waves to
Gelliw,': 54 Electri/rillg Projects will inspire a student
which the car is sensitive (20.000 Hz).
to construct a science fai r project or two or perhaps
send the inquisitive reader on a lifelong quest to In this chapter you will construct un ultrusonic lis·
in\'esligale the natural world through electronics tener. which you can use to liSlen to insect and o ther
sensing and detectio n. sounds that are llbove the human hearing range. We
will also explore infrasonic waves. which are usually
Electronic Sensors for the E I'it Gel/illS: 54 Electrify
generatcd by large sources. such as barometric or
illg Projects provides extensive photos. schematics..
weather fronts or by carthquakes. You learn how to
Introduction ix
construct your own microbarograph. which will allow delect and measure water pollution in water using
you to detect these very long sound pressure waves the optical turbidity meter.
produced by barometric changes lmd approaching
storms.
Chapter 3-Heat Detection
Chapter 2 Light Detection
Heal is transferred f.rom one place to another in
and Measurement three ways: via conduction. coO\'eclion. or radiation.
ConductiOIl is the process of transferring heat from
molecule to molecule in a substance. When one end
Although about ten million shades of color can be
of an iron rod is placed in a fire. the other end soon
identified by the human eye in the visible spectrum
gelS hot because Ihe heat is transferred from one end
of ligl1l. the light that produces those colors spans
of the iron to the other end by conduction ((rom mol
only a narrow spread of wavelengths. TIlis frequency
ecule to molecule). COl/vce/ioll is the process of
density is comparable 10 crowding all the world's
transmiuing heat by means of the movement of
human-made radio freque ncies into a narrow fre
heated matter (rom one place to another. Convection
quency range (rom 550 KHz 880 KHz in the stan
10
thus takes plnce in liquids and gases. A room is
dard A1'.<\ radio broadcast band. The eye is indeed an
heated by means of convection by circulating waml
amazing electromagnetic receiver: consider thai if
air through the room. This brings us to mdillliOIl. In
you glance at a yellow dress for just one second. the
both conduction and cOll'!ection, heat is transmitted.
electrons in the retinas o( your eyes must vibrate
or transported. by moving panicles (e.g. . molecules or
about 5 X lOIS times during the inter"alto receive the
air). Howe\'er heat can also tra"el where matter does
yellow. If you were to count all the waves that beat
not exist. For example. the beat from the sun reaches
upon all the shores on Earth. you would have to
the earth across the 93 millions of miles of space.
count for ten million years in order to count the
When a cloud passes between the sun and a poinl on
same number as thAt of the oscillations in one second
Earth. the heat at that point is diminished or cut of[
of yellow light.
This is due Ihe fact that heat is transmitted or radi
10
In this chapler we will take a closer look at light
ated by waves.
sensors such as photocells and solar cells and how we
Heat waves and light waves are of the same
can use them to delect light or the absence of light.
nature; they arc both electromagnetic radiations that
You will learn how to measure the solar constant.
differ only in wavelength. heat waves being longer
how to measure ultraviolet light, and how to detect
than light. Heat waves ncar the radio portion of the
ozone in the atmosphere. You will also use light sen
speclrum arc called infrared.
sors for optical listening. lhal is. listen to the sound
In this interesting chapter. you will construct an
that light makes when modulated by movement. You
infrared name detector. which can sense a match or
can do this by listening with the car. a transducer. and
flame up to 3 feel away.l1le reader will also learn
an audio amplifier in the amplitude domain of Light.
how to construct a freeze alann. which could be used
rather than by looking Ihrough the frequency domain
to alen you of icy driving conditions. You will con
with light received by the eye. Afler building the
struct an ovcrlemperature monitor. which you could
oplo-listener. you will be able to listen to electronic
utilize warn you of an overheating condition in a
displays. "singing" automotive headlamps. burning (0
machine or in your refrigerator. You will also read
(James. and lightning. You will be able listen to just
10
about an analog data-logger for sending temperature
about any light source to "see" whal it sounds like. In
data remotely via radio link: or you could use the sys
addition. you will learn how to measure the speed of
tem to record readings in the field and transport the
objects using light. by constructing your own optical
data back to your laboratory. More advanced projects
tachometer. Finally. you will look at how you can
include an LCD thennometer, a night vision viewer,
and an infrared mOl ion detector. which can sense Ihe
x Electronic Sensors for the Evil Genius
body heal of an intruder up to 50 fect away. The And weather enthusiasts will be eager to construct
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infrared motion detector could be uscd to create the electronic barometer project. which can be used
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your own homc alarm system. as the basis of a weather station.
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Chapter Ll- Fluid Sensing Chapter 6-Vibration p..
Sensing ~
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Tn this chapter you will explore liquid sensors.
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another very interesting and important aspect of
Vibration sensing is an exciting aspect of sensing .....
sensing. Your first project in this chapter is a simple
technology. Seismology is the study of vibration and
yet useful rain detector. which can detect the earliest o
is primarily used for detecting and monitoring
signs of rain drops and will allow you a few precious
ground \'ibrations or earthquakes. Seismology is also :3
moments roll up your car windows or bring in your
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used to study bomb blasts to determine signatures
laundry. When used as part of a weather data collec·
and locations. to verify nuclear test ban trealies (in
tion system. the exact time of a shower can be
other words. for keeping tabs on other countries and
recorded. ln this chapter, you will also learn how to
their bomb detonations).
build a fluid or liquid sensor as weU as fluid level
Vibration sensing can be used also 10 solve indus
indicator. which can be used to indicate how much
trial problems and to detect eanhquakes deep in the
fuel or water is left in a container or tank. Weather
earth. Did you know that vibration sensing can be
fans will also learn how to construct a humidity moni·
used to detect engine or motor vibration problems.
tor to measure humidity around your home or shop.
which can be monitored over time in studying
Junior scientists will learn about pH and how to build
developing machine problems? In the first project
and use a pH meter using easy·to·locate. low·cost
in this cbapter. you will build a \'ibration hour meter.
components. Nature· and ecology·minded readers
This simple yet unique circuit will pemlit recording
will learn about how to build and utilize a stream·
the length of lime a machine or natural event
gauge water levcl monitor for studying river and
occurs. using an off-the·shelf hour meter. As long
stream flow and runoff.
as the vibration persists the hour meter will record
the e\'ent.
Your next project is a vibration alann. which can
Chapter 5-Gas SenSing
notify you of intruding persons or animals. This proj·
ect uses a commonly a"ailable audio speaker as a
Air and gas sensing always seems so ephemeral. sensor to detect vibration. The vibration alarm proj·
because air and many gases cannot be seen and often ect could also be used to scare away pesky animals
cannot be smelled. But once again modem electron· from your garden or to warn you of approaching
ics comes to our assistance in helping us to sense both intruders. O ur next project. the piezo seismic alann
air and various gases in the air and atmosphere. In sensor, uses a gas barbeque pieza sparker mechanism
this chapter you will learn how to build an air pres· as the seismic sensor. The vibration alarm, or the
sure sensing switch. which can be utilized to detect piezo seismic alarm, might be an interesting science
doors moving or \'ehicles approaching. Your next fair project for the budding scientist. Our advanced
project is an electronic sniffer. which can detect a project. the AS· l seismograph. is capable of detecting
number of different gasses and sound an alarm. With earthquakes all around the world. This seismograph
the bargraph pressure sensor. you can monitor water can be used for serious amateur research and obser·
or air pressure changes and display the level on an vations. Many schools across the country are cur
LED bargraph display.ll1is chapte r also imroduces remly using the AS-I for seismic research and
the new PeUistor combustible gas sensors. You will display. Qualified schools can actually receive an
learn how to operatc and construct a toxic gas sensor. AS·l for free.
Introduction xi
cry of electrical aHraction principles. electrical waves.
Chapter 7-Detecting and laler the basis for electronics as we know it
loday. In this chapter you will discover and learn
Fields
about electrostatic fundamentals. electric fields. and
electromagnetic fields. When a magnetic field is
Magnetic fields are all around us. but our normal
enjoined at 90 degrees with an electric field an elec
senses cannot detect the presence of these fields. O ur
tromagnetic field is produced.
senses must be extended or enhanced in order to
In this chapter you will icarn thaI all electromag
sense o r detect these magnetic fields. A transducer. o r
netic energy. regardless of its frequency. has certain
sensor. usually some type of coil. can be used with an
cammon properties. Two things magically bind elec
amplifie r to detect the presence of a magnetic field.
tric and magnetic energy IOgelhcr into electromag
You will learn that a magnetic field radiates on its
netic radiation: Ihe traveling electric and magnetic
own. a limited distance. but can also join with an elec
fields are (1) always at right angles to each other ilod
tric field to form an electromagnetic field. A mag
always at right angles to the direction of propagation.
netic field becomes a complement to an electrical
and (2) they arc always becoming weaker with the
field when the twO are at 90 degrees. to form a com
distance they travel.
plex time-oriented wave called an electromagnetic
You will discover applications for the classical
wave. Electromagnetic waves radiate out into space
electroscope. the l eyden jar. the static tube, as well as
as rad io Wflves.
how to build and use a cloud chamber to detect alpha
In this chapter you will read about different types
particles. Practical projects include an ion detector.
of magnetic sensors. from the small induction pickup
an electronic electroscope. and an atmospheric elec
coil. which can be used in conjunction with Ihe mag
tricity monitor. Advanced projects presented for jun
ear projCClto listen to telephone conversations or \0
ior scientists include an advanced electronic
locate hidden electrical conduits and hidden melal, to
electroscope and a cloud charge monitor, which can
larger coil detectors that can be used to detect mag
detect and display the charges from clouds trave ling
netic fields produced by moving cars and trains. In
overhead. The final project of this chapter is an elec
this ehapler you also learn how to construct an elec
tric field-disturbance monitor, which can be used to
Ironic co mpass. called an ELF radiation monitor.
detect human bodies in an electrical field and sound
which can be used to survey your home electronics
an alarm. The electric field-disturbance monitor
and appliances for potentially dangerous low
could be used for serious electric field research or
frequency magnetic fields. In this chapter you will
could form the basis for a home or camping alarm
discover. how a sudden io nospheric disturbance
syste m.
receiver can be used for radio propagation studies:
you will also learn how to build and utilize one. Your
final projeci is an Earth-field magnetometer, which
can be used to detect solar magnetic storms originat Chapter 9-Radio Projects
ing frolll the sun.
Electromagnetic e nergy encompasses an extremely
wide frequency range. A classic example of a natural
broadband transmitter of electromagnetic energy is a
Chapter 8 Sensing
lightning llash or streak. A lightning nash exhibits a
Electronic Fields
fantastic amount of e nergy being radiatcd into space
as it generates an electromagnetic signal. This signal
The earliest study of nature's wonders began wjlh the typically covers frequencies from a few hertz up
o bservntions relating to static electricity or electro through the broadcast band, where we can hear static
statics. MclllY early observations of static electricity on the Al\t1 radio. Natural wide band radio frequency
involved animal skins and hair lind glass or stone storms. on Jupiter for example, can be detected and
objects. These early observations lead to the d iscov- observed in the shortwave frequency bands.
xii Electronic Sensors for the Ev il Genius
In this chapter you look at radio frequency energy. wave lengths like he,ll nnd radio. ·Ole bulk of the
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both natural radio energy created by lightning and energy from the sun is in this range. We usc this light
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planetary storms as well as radio requencics gener to sec. grow plants. and to power solar cells.
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ated by humans for television. communications. and
TIle second type of radiation is called ionization
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radar. Radio frequency energy covers a broad range o
radiation. Ionizing radiation is usually thought of as
from the low end of the radio spectrum (10 to 25
high-energy and high-speed particles. though some
P
KHz) used by high-power navy stations that commu
times as vel)' short wavelength waves. The particles
C
Ilkllte with submerged nuclear submarines. to the
can be photons. electrons. protons, and ionized cle
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familiar A~I broadcast band from 550 to 1.600 KHz. ments. such as helium and iro n. The ionized elements
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to the shortwa,·e bands from 2.000 KHz to 30.000
,....
have been stripped of their electrons.
KHz. on up to the very high-frequency television
When thcse high-speed particles pass through
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channels covering 5-1 to 216 MHz. through the very
maner.they can do dnmage. possibly deep inside the
popular frequency modulation HilI band from SS to
matter. As they pass through. they leave a trail of ion ::l
r...
lOS 1Hz. on through the rndar Crequency band of
ized (missing some electrons) particles behind them.
1.000 to 15.000 MHz. and extending through approxi
The number of ionized particles per centimeter of
mately 300 G J-lz. The radio-frequency spectrum actu
path depends on the type of particle and its velocity.
ally extends almost up to the lower limit of visible
A bigger and higher speed particle will do more
light freq uencies.
damage.
You will explore some different types of radio
On Earth. radiation can come (rom rocks and min
receivers that vall can construct and usc. Your first
• erals and even from the soil as radon gas. Narural
project is an electronic lightning detector. which can
ionizing radiation also comes (rom o ur sun and also
be used to warn of oncoming electrical stonns. a great
distant parts of the uni\'erse. Jnlhis chapter you will
project for wcather enthusiasts. Your next project is
learn how to construct and utilize a cloud chamber
the ELF nalUral radio. which can be used to listen to
for detecting low ionizing alpha particles. You wilJ
those mysterious low-frequency sounds produced by
learn how to detect io nizing radiation usin!! the low
1>.10ther ature. such as tweeks. pops. the dawn
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cost electronic ion chamber. which can be con
chorus. well as whistlers. ·!llese ascending and
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structed using four commonly available transistors. A
descending frequcncy sweeps arc caused by electrical
morc advanced electronic ion chamber will allow you
stonns on the other side of the earth. Why not build
to conduct more serious radiation studies. Finally you
your own shortwave receiver and explore the world
will learn how to build your own battcl)'-powered
of radio from foreign broadcasters on the other sidc
Geiger counter. which can be utilized for detecting
of the globe. Listen to exciting music and news from
radioactive rock formations. such as uranium. and for
European and African radio stations.. llle advanced
radiation field studies.
project. the Jupiter Radio telescope project. will per
mit you to listen to the strange sounds of planetary
stonns on Jupiter. 1llis wdio receiver project is n
great starting point for amateur research projects in
radio astronomy.
Chapter lO-Radiation
Sens ing
Thc radiation spectrum is usually broken down into
electromagnetic radiation and ionizing radiation.
Electromagnetic radiation is visible light and longer
Introduction xiii