Detector Building

Event Description and Rules

Detector building is a build event that has a device and exam component, both of which are tested on event day. Teams are expected to build a device that can accurately measure concentration across a given range in parts per million, while also displaying a related LED colour. For testing, teams are also expected to complete an exam related to constructing a concentration-sensing conductivity device. Teams are also expected to create and submit a design log showcasing how their device was built.

For the 2022 season, students are required to build a concentration-sensing conductivity device that accurately measures and displays concentration in parts per million (ppm) of a salt solution from 0 ppm to 5000 ppm using a microcontroller board such as the TI Innovator, Arduino, or Raspberry Pi. The device must contain red, green, and blue LEDs to indicate temperature ranges. Teams are also required to prepare a Design Log that contains a photograph and description of the device, ppm/voltage raw data, plotted ppm/voltage data, mathematical model(s) used for ppm-voltage conversions, and annotated printouts of code.

At the competition, students will adjust the ppm ranges that correspond to each LED colour combination on their device before measuring and displaying ppm and LED colour combinations for four water samples provided by Event Supervisors.

The event includes a written test that covers topics including ppm/conductivity/voltage/resistance relationships, theory and operation of electrical components, general aqueous chemistry, and determining real world relationships from raw data.

practice tests

other resources (wiki pages, videos, books, etc.)