The goal of the research is to demystify the subject of ionizing radiation for students ranging from middle school to graduate school. The premise of this effort is that "seeing is believing". Researchers are making radiation visible by putting a bubble chamber in each student's pocket. The bubble chambers are composed of gel suspensions of liquid drops that are superheated at room temperature. When radiation of sufficient energy (and stopping power) interacts with atoms within the drop, it suddenly vaporizes, producing a clearly visible bubble and an easily audible "pop". The rate of bubble formation indicates the radiation flux, and the total bubble production is a measure of total radiation exposure. Gamma, x-ray, neutron, and beta radiation can be sensed, depending on the particular drop material and the ambient conditions (pressure and temperature). The effects of different shieldings, of lower dose with distance, and of the quality of radiation is easily demonstrated. The development of a series of experimental kits for students at middle school, high school, college, and medical school levels is being researched. Physics, biology, and chemistry programs have a potential interest in varying aspects of the work.The potential commercial application as described by the awardee: Research will lead to an instructional tool for science education and for demystifying ionizing radiation.
