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This post covers adding a radiation sensor (Geiger counter) to my environmental monitoring system.   A while ago I had purchased a NETIO  GC10 v2.4 Geiger Counter. This measures Beta and Gamma radiation and has a serial output, at 9600 baud. The unit was designed in the aftermath of the Fukushima disaster as a low cost way for monitoring radiation levels. Some more links to this unit are here: Manual for GC10 NetIO Unit (assembly in English) NetIO Shop (currently sold out!) GC10 (aka 'Kinoko Geiger') users group (mainly Japanese) Review of the unit (youTube) I wanted to include this sensor...

I've been interested in environmental sensing for a long time - mainly for monitoring renewable energy sources. I've been collecting interesting sensors for a while and one of those was a "Nova PM Sensor SDS011 High Precision Laser PM2.5 Air Quality Detection Sensor" (mine came from Bang Good, but available in lots of places). This is quite a large sensor with a fan to control air flow over a laser detection sensor. The datasheet is available here.     The data is obtainable via a digital output (pulses when particles are detected) or via a serial connection (at a default of...

In this activity we are going to build a soalr powered car. This uses the motor to spins some wheels and make our car move! The main issue with making our car is that the motor is not very powerful. This means we have to make sure the car is as efficient as possible and that any friction is low. Friction is the resitance to motion. Try pushing different objects along the floor - some will be harder to push and some will be easier. If you push a large book along the floor then it might be quite difficult....