Exhibitors 2024



"Particle-detector Cloud-chamber Board" = PCB


What is the project about?
High energy (particle) physics is the main research topic of one group here at ICTP, our research institution. To provide a useful tool to educators we decided to build a simple but effective particle detector that able to visualise trails of charged particles like muons. It can be built in a fablab with soldering, laser cutter and 3D printers.



Where did you get the idea?
Particle physics is often considered a difficult and abstract field of science, because of its theoretical concepts and hard calculations. But it can be made more attractive and approachable for students and kids if they are allowed to see elementary particles with their naked eyes. This is why we build our "cloud chamber" D-I-Y particle detectors!



How did you transform the idea into a real project?
We started many years ago with a more complex version of the apparatus, in order to be able to measure the critical values (currents, temperatures, etc) and now we are building our 4th version, simplified and with an opensource PCB, to allow everyone to replicate this device. We have been able to use the machine of our fablab to test and prototype.


Marco Baruzzo e Carlo Fonda

We are a team of passionate makers, with a background in scientific and didactic research, who work in a fablab, the ScifabLab, which is part of the International Center for Theoretical Physics in Trieste.


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Data updated on 2025-02-12 - 8.30.33 am