Detector Building

Build Event with Test

In this event, participants build and write code for a detector. What it detects is dependent on that year but past things include temperature, salinity, and mass. This event is a bit more technical but it doesn't take any prior experience as long as you're willing to learn. And it's a lot of fun seeing your device work in the end! In competitions, you'll test your device as well as answer questions on general circuits and topics specific to your year.

Rules Overview

Participants: 2

Materials: Device, 2 calculators or any type, binder, DESIGN LOG

Event Format: A written test + device testing (sometime during the written test)

Before the test, you are allowed to modify your code so that the LED turns red, green, and blue during the intervals
The written test has some multiple choice questions and some calculation/short answer questions, mostly on circuits and LEDs specifically. It is short and shouldn't take the whole time.
The device testing has 3-4 stations, where you test your device with different objects (for example, different temperature water)

Studying and Resources

A good idea might be for one partner to be better with your device and the other person to be better with studying. However, both partners need to have a solid grasp of basic circuitry since it is important in both the test and device.

Eventually, strive to be familiar with the following topics (save the details for your binder):

Circuits and Ohm's Law

Conductors, insulators, semiconductors and the general chemistry that makes them different
How diodes work (p vs n doping)
- LEDs
Resistors
ADCs
Calibrations

You'll also need to learn about your year's specific topic.

Here is my study guide for the topics listed above:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1rlwB3Ab5kPFt5ans_gWQk07A68Q2WrJCw_oX-SEG-Po/edit?usp=sharing

Resources to learn stuff:

Khan Academy's introduction to circuits: https://www.khanacademy.org/science/physics/circuits-topic
Circuitbread youtube channel has a lot of good information for diodes, semiconductors, conductors, and insulators.

Here are some additional tests (from 2021-22 - you probably won't be measuring salinity so skip questions related to water):

Building

A good idea might be for one partner to be better with your device and the other person to be better with studying. However, both partners need to have a solid grasp of basic circuitry since it is important in both the test and device.

Materials to Buy:

Arduino (or other microcontroller)
LED lights
Jumper cables
LCD display
Resistors

You'll also need something specific to your year to detect the right thing (ie thermistor). To figure out what this is, ry to read how a commercially available device works.

Design Log Examples:

2020-21

2021-22 (with picture)

You'll need circuits for the 3 LEDs, the input and output of the detector, and the LCD display. None of these circuits are very complicated but try to keep organized to know what goes where.

It is very important to test your device a lot and compare voltages to accurately measured quantities to best fit your curve.

Competition Tips

The test is not too much of a time crunch, so both can work on the test together, and when called up, test the device.