Advanced Particle Detector Laboratory

---

1. APDL WeatherStation

The versatility of the Raspberry Pi allows it to be used in a multitude of ways, specifically Raspberry Pi's can be used to build modular weather stations to monitor the environment conditions in multiple areas. This project is the creation of a network of raspberry pi's taking temperature, pressure, and humidity data in the Advanced Particle Detector Lab (APDL) run by the physics department at Texas Tech. An undetermined amount of sensors, each consisting of a raspberry pi and BME280 sensor, make up the data collection end of our system. Each sensor sends their data back to a hub server which then aggregates the data and allows it to be analyzed at a centrally located terminal. The climate control of the APDL is important because the lab is manufacturing environmentally sensitive radiation sensors, and such the HVAC systems must be monitored closely. In addition to the rooms, there are sensors placed in two dry cabinets that must be kept below a certain humidity level. The goal is for this project to complete the network created such that this technology could be duplicated and used by other research labs looking for environmental monitoring.

Presentations

• Innovation in Appalachia Symposium, West Virginia University 2021 (Howard)
• Undergraduate Research Conference, Texas Tech University 2021 (Howard
• 4th Annual Department of Physics and Astronomy Poster Competition 2020, Texas Tech University 2020 (Howard)

---

2. Scintillator Photon Studies

In the past, Tim Ramos and Dr. Whitbeck's research entailed studying light collection efficiency of scintillators using python simulations as well as understanding their properties based on looking at pulse data derived from an oscilloscope. To get these scintillators ready for measurement-taking, a 3D model polisher was used to polish these scintillators before the running of the experiments. Moreover, currently their research centralizes on the understanding and designing of the electronics behind the measurement-taking system, so that certain variables can be monitored in the electronics using an I2C-UART Communication Protocol.