Cloud chambers let you see vapor trails left by radioactive particles!

A version of this cloud chamber is now available for purchase (fully assembled and tested) from http://www.nothinglabs.com

Discuss cloud chamber assembly and radioactive samples at http://forum.nothinglabs.com

Cloud chambers work by creating a supersaturation of alcohol vapor.  Vapor trails are then formed when the radiation ionizes the alcohol.

Cloud chambers need to be very cold (about -15f) - so most designs require dry ice.

This design uses inexpensive electrical "Peltier" coolers instead!  No need to buy / store dry ice!

It's fairly easy to construct - and should only cost about $100.

This chamber design cools down very quickly - you can see vapor trails within a few minutes.

On the downside - it's not as cold as a dry ice chamber - so the supersaturated area isn't as thick.

Step 1: Stuff You'll Need (Part 1)

Peltier Coolers (need 2)
- Model 12709 (138 watts "max") for "top" cooler ($8 on ebay)
- Model 12710 (168 watts "max") for "bottom" cooler (also $8 on ebay)
- Search eBay -descriptions- to find specific models
- Often listed as "TEC", "Thermoelectric" or "Peltier" coolers and have TEC1 or CP1 as a prefix to the model number
- Other models with similar wattage ratings can likely be used (bottom cooler should have a slightly higher wattage rating than the bottom)
- Coolers look identical - put a piece of tape on a wire of the 12710 so you can identify it later
- Larger coolers are not necessarily better
- Fragile wires tend to break - avoid bending (might want to buy a spare or two)
- Do -NOT- connect a peltier to power backwards or without a heatsink!
- See the bottom of this page for info on a single-Peltier option

Power Supply #1
- 12v and at least 8 amps (good results between about 11v and 15v)
- Used to power 'bottom' peltier cooler
- www.allelectronics.com part # PS-1512 is a good option for $25

Power Supply #2
- 5 volts and at least 2.5 amps (good results between about 4v and 8v)
- Used to power 'top' peltier cooler
- D-Link JTA0302C power supply on ebay for about $10
- Alternative: Use a PC ATX power supply for both 12v and 5v sources (Google for more info)

CPU Cooler / Fan
- Look for "heat pipes" and a 120mm fan
- Design that can be run "upside down" with good airflow
- The Cooler Master Hyper 212 works well and is cheap (under $30 on ebay)
- Cooler Master V8 works well and looks cool (about $50)
- The Corsair H50 (liquid cooling) works a little better - but is more expensive / complicated (about $70)
- See http://www.frostytech.com/ for other possible coolers

Alternative Single Peltier / Single Power Supply Configuration
- This project can also be built using a single dual-stage peltier cooler
- The 19012-5L31-06CQQ from Custom Thermoelectric ($53) has been tested and works well (order with Moisture Sealing option)
- Requires a 12V power supply capable of 6 amps (5V power supply is not needed)
- Other project details stay the same

<p>I'm wondering if there is a way to make a permanent solution. If the container is perfectly sealed and the gas cannot escape, do you think it's possible?</p>
Issue isn't with sealing of the chamber - but rather that all the alcohol eventually precipitates down to the bottom.<br><br>I think someone out there managed to solve this by placing the entire chamber -slightly- at an angle - and then have the alcohol puddle wick back up to the top using a sponge... (might be a youtube video out there..)
<p>Hello</p><p>I want to build cloud chamber with Corsair H60 cooler and single peltier you recommend . What power supply would recommend for this set up.?</p>
Hi Castor!<br><br>​The 19012-5L31-06CQQ dual-stage peltier from Custom Thermoelectric can easily be run off a 12v / 6 amp power supply (I've used 5 amps before without problems). You can get power supplies of this size for around $10-15 online sold as for use with LED strip lighting (Amazon has a number of options).<br>This forum post suggests current needs for the Corsair are under an amp:<br><br>http://forum.corsair.com/v3/showthread.php?t=10036...<br>Think you'd be fine running everything off the same 6 amp / 12v supply.<br><br>Best of luck with your build!<br><br>-Rich
<p>My cloud chamber based on these instructions :)</p>
awesome! video link isn't working... have it posted someplace else?
<p>nice build!</p>
<p>I created this project, and am doing a science fair on it. I would like to know what the use of the static source is, as I didn't use it and still got many cosmic rays.</p>
when people ask about the static source i tend to wave my hands and say it &quot;makes it better&quot;. <br><br>at least part if it may have to do with &quot;clearing&quot; particles ionized by the radioactive source. so - it makes sense it would be less of issue with weak background radiation &quot;source&quot;<br><br>glad you got it working!<br><br>-Rich
<p>For this peltier cooler cloud chamber, I noticed that you have used a plastic container. Would a glass container suffice as well? Which one would you recommend? Furthermore, would it be ok if my design simply consisted of a container top over an aluminium plate which is thermally pasted on peltier coolers?</p><p>Sorry for the bunch of questions but I would like to clarify whether this is a good method in achieving a cool base and in general, make my cloud chamber work. Because in the end, I plan on attaching high voltage to a pin at the top of the chamber as well as the aluminium plate.</p><p>Thx!</p>
Glass can work fine - although I'd suggest thin plastic / fiberglass for the base.<br><br>Aluminum base will most likely cause grief. It will disperse the cooling effect over a larger area - and result in a larger somewhat-cold area - as opposed to small very-cold area. <br><br>Good luck!<br><br>-Rich
<p>Thanks for your advice Rich!</p><p>Could clear acrylic boxes do the job too? Such as those clear display cases you find in common home stores.</p>
<p>sounds like a good option to me!</p>
<p>Can the 12709 peltier cooler be used on 12V as well?</p>
<p>If the 12709 is on top - it should be run at a lower voltage than the one at the bottom. Range of 3v-6v produces is likely best.</p><p>If you try to run the voltage higher - the larger peltier on the bottom won't be able to pump the extra heat - and the total cooling effect will be reduced.</p>
<p>Hey there! I've made this cloud chamber to your specifications (the two <br>peltier-cooler version), and for whatever reason I'm not getting a vapor<br> cloud in the chamber. The peltier coolers get the surface pretty cold <br>(I don't have a thermometer to measure with, but it gets cold enough to <br>freeze water vapor out of the air within just a few seconds). I've used <br>91% and 95% alcohol solution to test with, and neither time did a vapor <br>cloud form. In both instances, alcohol began to condense onto the bottom<br> of the container, but there weren't suspended droplets like those <br>present in your videos.<br><br>I've been trying to figure out the cause,<br> and I've narrowed it down to two possibilities: 1, I just don't <br>understand how you're using your static source. To my understanding, <br>it's just a Styrofoam cup you place atop the container. Nothing special,<br> right? Or 2, the peltier coolers simply aren't making the chamber cold <br>enough. Like I said, I have no thermometer, but if that's a problem <br>you've encountered fairly regularly I'm willing to buy one to check. I'd<br> just like to know if there are any common problems experienced when <br>constructing this device that could account for my issue. Thanks!</p>
<p>Also, I forgot to mention: The power supplies for the peltier coolers are just wall-plug power-supplies with converters attached, like laptop chargers. They're rated to the correct current and voltage, though, so I figured that wasn't the problem. I also have them both hooked up to a single power strip, for the sake of efficiency, but again I'm not sure if this might be causing some sort of problem with the power draw.</p>
Hi there - sorry for delay in responding...<br><br>It's pretty hard to speculate too much without a temperature reading - but there are some common issues...<br><br>Yes - static source is nothing special. Styrofoam cup you've rubbed in your hair should work fine...<br><br>Are you sure you're power supply is providing enough current?<br><br>Are you sure both peltiers are working? (try them separately...)<br><br>Is the bottom of your chamber colored black somehow? It's really impossible to see the vapor against a white surface.<br><br>Are you use an LED light? <br><br>If you're having problems with alcohol pooling - try wiping it off with a paper towel... Try using -less- alcohol (just let the sponge air our a bit - then try again)...<br><br>Just a few things to check... hope this helps!<br><br>-Rich
<p>Hello, may I ask how large the surface area of cooling will be if I use the peltier coolers as you have shown above? Is there any way of increasing this surface area, such as putting a larger aluminium plate above? Furthermore, what is the effect of having a single peltier at the bottom while above it having two peltiers? Would this cool a larger surface area?</p><p>Thank you! </p>
You'll get a useful viewing surface of about 40mm x 40mm.<br><br>If you try placing an aluminum plate on top - it probably won't increase your viewing area a useful amount. You generally end up cooling a larger area - but it won't get as cold (likely not cold enough). <br><br>Suspect having two peltiers on top in parallel would result in trying to pump too much heat into the bottom peltier to be effective. That said - I don't recall if I've tried that particular setup. If you do - please post here!<br><br>Good luck!<br><br>-Rich
<p>I have tec12712 and tec12710. Which order should I put them in? And what power supplies should I give them? Thank you</p>
Sorry for slow reply.<br><br>Definitely put the 12712 on the bottom. <br><br>Both those peltiers are going to try to draw a lot of current.<br><br>I would try running the bottom peltier (12712) at 10-12v - it will draw something around 8 to 12 amps at those voltages. Try to find a beefy power supply.<br><br>I'd run the top 12710 at about 3-6v. Expect 2-5 amps current draw.<br><br>Good luck!<br><br>-Rich
<p>Great, thank you:). </p>
<p>Hello, I am working on improving a cloud chamber design for Siena College. One of the questions raised is based on the performance of the peltiers. Several of the peltiers we have will measure with a higher or lower resistance than the mean. I'm trying to test their performance by taking their temperatures after a set amount of time while on a Cooler Master V8. I'm trying to do this without applying thermal paste to avoid the mess and the cost. However, without the paste, there isn't enough contact to efficiently pull heat away from the peltier. Do you have any suggestions of ways to replace the thermal paste, just for testing? We have tried tape and a weight to hold it down but the tape is not effective and a weight disrupts my ability to take measurements.</p>
Hey there - sorry for slow response...<br><br>You could try just using water or rubbing alcohol to help mate the coolers.<br><br>Im honestly not sure how useful trying to test the coolers is though. Ive had good results with various size coolers - and im not sure if the measuring variability between different coolers of same rating is going to help.<br><br>Also - not sure if cooler performance / draw will reliably map to measured resistance (ie - not sure if peltiers behave quite like resistors in regards to power consumption)<br><br>Best of luck!<br>
<p>Why did you choose to apply more thermal paste to the top peltier? Some students at Siena College had the same idea but I haven't found the necessity. As long as you have an even application, less thermal paste works. Thoughts?</p>
you are correct - you should use as little thermal past as possible while assuring good contact between the layers (I was probably being a bit sloppy)
<p>Hey, there are only TEC 12712 available in my local hardware store. Is it possible to do this project with two of those?</p>
You -might- get those working if you run the top cooler at a lower enough voltage (maybe 3v or lower). <br><br>Ultimately you'd be much better off using a smaller value peltier on top.<br><br>My advice would be to order parts closer to whats described in the project.
Hi Rich, I am currently building a cloud chamber as a physics project. I would really appreciate it if you would be willing to give me some advice/guidance.<br><br>I have read your inscrutable and that has been very helpful. However, the design of my cloud chamber is different than your inscrutable. I am currently using 6 (3 by 2) 12706 peltier coolers in a single layer. I have a water cooling system that uses a 5&quot; x 4.25&quot; x&nbsp;1.5&quot;(thick) heatsink which I made a copper enclosure for so I can pump water through it. I have a 1 gallon reservoir of ice water pumped through the water block/heatsink and then through a small radiator cooled by 3 pc fans. The chamber floor is a piece of 1/16 black garolite. The chamber dimensions are 6&quot; x 5&quot; and 4.5&quot; tall with plexiglass walls and top. I did a test today and the floor didnt get cold enough (maybe -5f measured with an ir thermometer). Without the garolite floor and just the tops of the coolers exposed, some of them got down to ~15f. I never saw a supersaturated layer though, and there was alcohol pooling on the floor of the chamber.<br><br>I am not sure exactly what needs to be improved but I think I will start with the coolers. I can get some 12710 coolers on Amazon try running 4 of them at 12v with 4 of the 12706's on top at 5v(or possibly both at 12v?). I am hoping that the chamber is not too large since that would be hard to change. Although I can make it shorter relatively easily.<br><br>What would you recommend I do? Thank you in advance for any help. If you need more information or pictures let me know.<br><br>Thanks, Ben
<p>hey benw102. i am making an cloud chamber in physics too and i found an nice tutorial for that. </p><p>shopping list:</p><p><a href="http://xionone.co.uk/howtomakeacloudchamber1.htm" rel="nofollow">http://xionone.co.uk/howtomakeacloudchamber1.htm </a></p><p>electronics:</p><p><a href="http://xionone.co.uk/howtomakeacloudchamber2.htm" rel="nofollow">http://xionone.co.uk/howtomakeacloudchamber2.htm</a></p><p>assembly:</p><p><a href="http://xionone.co.uk/howtomakeacloudchamber3.htm" rel="nofollow">http://xionone.co.uk/howtomakeacloudchamber3.htm</a></p><p>i hope this helps you<br></p>
That was helpful thanks! How is your cloud chamber coming along?
Hi Ben - sorry for slow response. <br><br>You're hitting very common challenges trying to scale this project up (I've tried a few larger builds with poor-to-mixed results).<br><br>If you're seeing alcohol pooling - but no supersaturation - I would try wiping the surface down. <br><br>I would -not- trying running 12v to the top coolers - it will generate more heat than the bottom coolers can handle - and you'll end up with less cooling.<br><br>I would definitely look at the links that LaurinS2 sent. They probably are a better source of information than myself on this.<br><br>Good luck!<br><br>-Rich
Thank you for the tips. I have done some experimentation and I am having luck using 4 10amp peltiers on the bottom at 12v and 4 9amp coolers on top at 5v. I get good results for about 20-25 minutes before my ice water heats up. I am also using a black anodized aluminum floor that seems to work about as well as duct tape over the coolers. I might try a smaller lower powered air cooled decice that can run at room temperature. Thanks again for the help!
<p>Hi Paul, I hope youre enjoying your weekend! I just had a quick question about which type of alcohol to use. Where I am currently they only sell 88% isopropyl at the pharmacy. I've tried this and also denatured alcohol form the states and I can't get a fine mist above my coil. I currently have a reading of approx -47 F using an infared thermometer so my temp is great, my only problem is that i get small drops of alcohol on my coil rather than a mist. Is there anything I can change in my setup for this to happen? I was thinking that I wasn't getting cold enough temps but after checking and freezing a drop of water on my coil I was sure it was cold enough. Any ideas? Perhaps my alcohol isn't pure enough? Could I perhaps use grain alcohol (everclear etc..) to get a fine mist? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Cheers! </p>
I use 99% isopropyl - but have used 90% with good luck.<br><br>If you can't find high grade isopropyl in the pharmacy - you may want to try an autoparts store. &quot;Isoheat&quot; is a gas treatment that's mostly isopropyl alcohol I've had good luck with.<br><br>-47f should be plenty cold.<br><br>I'm assuming your coil is for HV? I've seen too much HV hurt performance. I'd try starting off just using a balloon for static.<br><br>Too much alcohol can also be a problem. If your getting lots of mist but no tracks - I'd try less.<br><br>Hope this helps!<br><br>-Rich
<p>Rich, I like the idea of this project for a STEM and class demonstration, but I have to ask a simple question. I have both fiesta-wear, but would really like to use my collection of button sources. Do you think using higher rated sources, such as Cs-137 or Co-60 1 - 100 micro-curie sources, saturate the given construction?</p>
Hey there - sorry for slow response..<br><br>Yes - I suspect those sources may overload the chamber - but there's an easy solution....<br><br>I'd just put the sources outside / near the chamber. You probably won't see any alpha - but should see beta / the effects of gamma.<br><br>Good luck!
<p>Hi, I have built a cloud chamber into an insulated wall clock with a perspex outer clock face/ surface. My query is in regards to the static component; The perspex face retains an ample static charge within the material itself and the chamber is approx. 4cm deep. Is this sufficient (with occasional recharging) to keep the atmosphere clear of dust and ions for better ion trails within the super saturated alcohol layer or will I need to implement another feature for this application? I have never been clear on the static component of this chamber and wish to avail of your expertise! </p><p>Also, is there any source (other than the Ebay connection) that sells the 12710 168W Peltier cooler modules?</p>
Hi Paul. I've always found the static element of cloud Chambers to be somewhat black magic. I know some people had good luck implementing high voltage sources although I've always favored periodic use of a balloon rubbed over hair or fabric - mainly due to the simplicity.<br><br>For more info on high voltage sources you may want to look up information on wilsonian cloud chambers online.<br><br>I don't have a specific source of single stage pelier coolers is that I favor. For dual stage peltier coolers I've always had good luck with custom thermoelectric as mentioned in the instructable.<br><br>My general advice on finding shelter foolers is to try to be flexible - a 12010, 1209 or 12708 can work for the top stage the key thing is using a lower value for the bottom of page. Coolers may also be listed by their wattage / amperage at given voltage as opposed to the typical numbering scheme. The key thing is to dig into the specs little and try to get a sense of what you're getting. <br><br>Good luck!<br><br>
<p>I saw a post on youtube in which a cloud chamber static charge is built up using an electric bug swatter. Create a screen grid inside your chamber above the cooler. Run the ground to the bottom cooler plate and you'll get a few thousand static volts every time you push the button.</p>
<p>Good day and thank you for these great plans. I'm running into my coolers not getting cold enough and I'm wondering if it's my cooling system. I'm using a water cooled system that seems to be working well, but the water does eventually get warm (45C) after 10-15mins. Perhaps this is not sufficient? I've got a 400w ATX supply with 5v and 12v setup correctly. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!</p>
Hi there! Yes - it sounds like your cooling system isn't quite keeping up. It's hard for me to offer any scientific insight as there's a lot of variables involved. However - I will say that modern CPU coolers with heat pipes are profoundly effective at getting heat off of a surface.<br><br>I've played with some homemade water cooling approaches and have found it hard to get good performance.<br><br> One thing you might try is either I clean the water out with fresh tap water to keep the temperature down or alternately try adding some ice cubes to see if that helps.<br><br>Good luck!
<p>I built one following the directions exactly, and I'm having the same issue, I can only get the temp down to -7C. My water cooling is definitely working as it starts to get warm after a few minutes, but I wonder what you mean by it may not be keeping up. Is there a way to test that it's not keeping up? </p><p>I've looked at the datasheets for the peltier coolers and they say that the 12710 runs at 15-17 Volts, and the 12709 runs at 15 Volts. </p><p>With the top peltier running at 5V and 2.5 Amps, the power consumption is only 12.5 Watts, compared to its max of 138 Watts. Could this be the problem that I need to fix, or am I missing somthing? </p><p>Thanks for your help!!</p>
So - cheap cpu coolers using heatpipes are very efficient. My main advice is to try a cpu cooler as described in instructions before trying any homebrew cooling approaches.<br><br>Good luck!<br><br>-Rich
<p>Thank you for the information Rich. I agree that the aluminium cooler block heat sink isnt big enough to remove a sufficient amount of heat from the cooler which is why I'm not getting low enough temps. Maybe a cooler block thats 2-2.5 inches thick might be able to maintain a lower temp, or perhaps more flow from a second pump might move enough heat, but at that point a copper cooler sink is much more practical. Thanks again!</p>
<p>I made a video of a temperature test I carried out :)</p><p><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="281" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/z4Wn9hzjm-w" width="500"></iframe></p>
<p>Hi!</p><p>Is it possible to use something like this Static Electricity Generator for clearing the ions? <a href="https://www.instructables.com/id/Make-a-Static-Electricity-Generator-Cast-Lightning/" rel="nofollow">https://www.instructables.com/id/Make-a-Static-Elec...</a></p><p>Also, thank you for these instructions! Still waiting for my Peltier elements from China but as soon as they arrive I'll get to work! :)</p>

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