Ekkins Research
Philosophy
My work in graduate school and industry, before joining the faculty at Â鶹´«Ã½, focused on building and using expensive microscopes and semiconductor capital equipment. Once at Â鶹´«Ã½, I changed my research direction to focus on building projects that are much cheaper. The goal is to bring interesting science experiments into reach for schools without large budgets.
Published Work
- Measuring the speed of light with a Raspberry Pi Pico (2024).
- : A low-cost method for improving microwave Bragg diffraction (2022).
- : A cheap and quick method for building diodes on a silicon wafer (2020).
- : A method for getting 2-dimensional diffraction patterns (2018).
- studentSTM: A minimal cost scanning tunneling microscope (2015).
Unpublished Work
- Low-Pressure Sensor: A sensor which allows low gauge pressures (<10 kPa) to be measured with Capstone (2023).
- MechHeat Upgrade: An upgrade to the Pasco (TD-8551A) Mechanical Equivalent of Heat Apparatus (2019).
- Millikan Camera Upgrade: A camera option for the Pasco (AP-8210A) Millikan Oil Drop Apparatus (2023).
- Millikan Light Upgrade: An illumination upgrade for the Pasco (AP-8210A) Millikan Oil Drop Apparatus (2021).
- Photoelectric Effect Apparatus: A 3D printed box that holds a vacuum tube and LED (2017).
- Raspberry Pi Pico Shield: An circuit board for the Pico that includes switches and LEDs (2024).
- Sodium Doublet: An upgrade to the Pasco (OS-8501) Interferometer to extend the mirror motion (2021).
- SpectraCam Rev 5: A variation of the Public Lab spectrometer using PVC (2017).
- SpectraCam Rev 6: A variation of the Public Lab spectrometer using 3d printed parts and PVC (2018).
- Spectral Analysis Program: A web-based program to look at the spectral lines from various elements (2020).
- Type-K to Pasco Adapter: A connector box which allows Type-K thermocouples to be used with Capstone (2022).