Nuclear Dice Set
The Nuclear Dice Set is an innovative project that employs an unconventional method to generate truly random numbers. Unlike traditional dice that are susceptible to physical factors that can be predicted, this electronic set of dice uses the naturally random decay of uranium to produce random numbers.
After designing how the dice set would work the components were all picked out and the electronics were tested. Once the electronics side of the project was done the housing everything would live in or be mounted to could start being designed and built. The housing of the Nuclear Dice Set was modeled in CAD and was then laser cut from hardboard. This method guarantees perfect tolerances for the mounted components that were selected and tested during the electronics development.
The project is controlled by an Arduino Mega board, which acts as the central control unit for all inputs and outputs. The dice set offers a range of features, including adjustable dice sides and the number of dice rolled, which can be controlled using potentiometers. This allows users to customize their dice set according to their needs, making it suitable for various games that require different dice configurations. There are strips of LED’s with markings alongside each to denote which dice and how many of that dice are going to be rolled.
In addition to its functional components, the Nuclear Dice Set also has some unique visual elements. A UV LED is used to fluoresce the uranium sample, providing an interesting look at the source of these random dice rolls, a voltmeter detects ionizing radiation, causing the needle to jump, and there are radiation warning symbols on either side made out of opaque acrylic that are illuminated while the dice are being rolled.
Rolling the dice is as simple as pressing a big red button, and the outcome is displayed on an LCD screen, which shows the value of each individual dice in the roll. A 7-segment display is also included to show the total of all the dice rolled.
Overall, the Nuclear Dice Set is an exciting project that offers a novel solution to the issue of randomness in traditional dice. With its adjustable potentiometers, UV LED, voltmeter, and user-friendly interface, the Nuclear Dice Set is an excellent addition to any game night.
