Development of an X-Ray Source Generator via Adhesive Tape Peeling

Action Coupled with Metal Foils Based on Triboelectric Principles

A Thesis Presented to
The Faculty of the Physics Department
De La Salle University

In partial fulfillment of the requirements

for the Degree of Bachelor in Science in Physics
with Specialization in Materials Science and
the Degree of Bachelor in Science in Physics
with Specialization in Medical Instrumentation

By

TAN, JERIC E.
WONG, RENNARD JARED BENEDICT S.

Dr. ROMERIC F. POBRE

Adviser

DECEMBER 2018
 

 
    

ABSTRACT
We developed an X-ray source generator via an adhesive tape peeling action
coupled with three metal foils based on triboelectric principles. A direct
current (DC) servomotor was used to unpeel adhesive tape at a constant
angular speed of 0.03 radians per second or 2.1 radians per minute together
with a brushless DC motor that would serve as a spool for the device. A 6-
volt DC battery was also encased together with the adhesive tape,
servomotor and the spool to power the servomotor. Three metal target foils
e.g. aluminum, zinc and copper were used as the X-ray target where
energetic incident electrons are generated from the unpeeling of adhesive
tape due to tribo-electrification. The device was placed inside a glass bell jar
where rotary vacuum pump can reached approximately 10-2 Torr vacuum
pressure to dislodge enough gas inside the chamber. Without the vacuum
pressure, Geiger Muller counter was able to measure between 8 cps up to 15
cps of X-ray radiation for the given three metal target foils within 60
seconds. In vacuum condition, the X-ray source generator produced 9 cps up
to 20 cps in 60-second time interval. The aluminum foil target produced the
highest X-ray radiation measured at 15 cps without vacuum and zinc foil
target produced 20 cps in vacuum condition. Background conditions (e.g.
humidity, vacuum pressure) and instrument conditions (e.g. input current,
input power and rotational speed) are some of the major external factors that
affects the X-ray production of the device.
 

i  

 
    

APPROVAL SHEET

This thesis proposal entitled “Development of an X-Ray Source Generator via Adhesive
Tape Peeling Action Coupled with Metal Foils Based on Triboelectric Principles”,
prepared and submitted by JERIC E. TAN and RENNARD JARED BENEDICT S.
WONG, a BS Physics with Specialization in Materials Science and BS Physics with
Specialization in Medical Instrumentation respectively, has been examined and is
recommended for thesis final defense.
 

                 _________________________________
Dr. ROMERIC F. POBRE
Adviser

December 18, 2018

DATE

ii  

 
    

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Contents Page

ABSTRACT i
APPROVAL SHEET ii

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION 1-5

1.1 Background and Motivation of the Study 1-3
1.2 Statement of the Problem 3
1.3 General Objectives 4
1.4 Specific Objectives 4
1.5 Scope and Limitations of the Study 4
1.6 Significance of the Study 5

CHAPTER 2: REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE 6-13

CHAPTER 3: THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK 14-22

3.1 X-Ray Generation 14-17
3.2 Soft and Hard X-Ray 17
3.3 Bremsstrahlung X-Rays 17-18
3.4 Triboelectric Effect 1 9-21
3.5 Image Analysis 21-22

CHAPTER 4: METHODOLOGY 24-29

4.1 List of Materials and Equipment 24-25
4.2 X-Ray Source Generator Design 26-27
4.3 How to Set-Up the X-Ray Source Generator 28
4.4 Experimental Setup 28-29

CHAPTER 5 : RESULTS AND DISCUSSION 29-31

5.1 Data Analysis 30
5.2 Instrumentation Analysis 31

CHAPTER 6 : CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS 32

APPENDICES 33-36
Appendix A: Gantt Chart 33
Appendix B: Line Item Budget 34-35
Appendix C: Ethics Checklist 36

REFERENCES 37-38
                         

iii  

 
    

CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background and motivation of the study

a. Population Growth

In the coming years, technology experts projected that there will be a high demand

for medical instruments due to the rapid growth in population. These entails a conducive

environment for contagious diseases like tuberculosis and other viral infections can easily

spread in a densely populated area like Metro Manila. Rapid monitoring of these

contagious diseases has been a major challenge in containing highly infectious diseases

because of the limited access, costly health care insurance and bulky machines that can

help monitor and manage the spread of these diseases. If it can be made possible to

develop a portable and cost-effective X-ray machine where under privileged can have easy

access and fast diagnosis in reducing the spread and minimize cost in handling infectious

diseases like tuberculosis. Novel X-ray machine can be envisioned by simply using

ordinary and readily available material like adhesive tapes and direct current motors

or/and servo motors that might cut the cost and diagnosis time that might be beneficial for

stakeholders in the healthcare industry. The ones who will benefit the most from this

innovation are the marginalized people who do not have any access to modern healthcare

physical examination devices like X-ray machines since these devices are very expensive.

1  
    

With the new medical device that is portable and cost-effective, Filipinos can benefit from

this new device since majority of the people are below the poverty line in the Philippines.

b. Tuberculosis

Tuberculosis disease is caused by bacteria that is scientifically named as

Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Tuberculosis or TB as popularly known is a highly

contagious disease and it can be considered as a deadly disease if left untreated. It is

suggested that one goes to a doctor for tests if he/she has been exposed with a person who

is diagnosed with TB. If a person’s immune system is compromised then the risk of

contracting this kind of disease becomes higher. Typical physical and chemical tests that

are being done in the diagnosis of TB are the ff: skin tests, blood tests, and chest x-ray.

Bad cough, loss of weight and appetite, weakness or fatigue, high fever, and sweats are

some of the common symptoms of TB in the lungs [1].

2  
    

Table 1.1 Top 10 Causes of Death in 2013 [2] reported by Department of Health (DOH)
of the Republic of the Philippines. (2017)

Table 1.1 above shows the 10 main causes of death in the Philippines in 2013.

From the figure, it is shown that tuberculosis is the 8th leading cause of death in the

country. There are reports that some strains of TB is already drug-resistant with the usual

antibiotic cocktail adapted by DOH under the DOTS program [3].

1.2 Statement of the problem

a. Healthcare in the Philippines

It has been cited that, “a major driver of inequity is the high cost of accessing and

using health care” [1]. Healthcare in the Philippines is a privileged case for those people

who can afford but limited to people without healthcare insurance and local government

support. Rapid assessment of tuberculosis is only available for those who can afford and

have access to healthcare insurance. One way that can have significant impact in the

3  
    

healthcare industry of the Philippines is by building and marketing a cost-effective and

portable X-ray machine.

b. Expensive design of portable X-ray devices

Portable X-ray devices are of great price that are only affordable by those who have

enough money. However, there are a number of people in the Philippines that needs such

devices that can help them in their health problems. By creating a simple design of

portable X-ray devices, production of a cost-effective portable X-ray device is possible

making it affordable and beneficial to those who are less fortunate.

1.3 General Objective:

This study aims to design and develop a prototype X-ray source generator using

triboelectricity as basis for X-ray production.

1.4 Specific Objectives:

The following are the specific objectives for this study:

a. To design a viable X-ray source generator device that can be cost effective.

b. To build an X-ray source generator device using triboelectricity to generate

enough energetic electrons to produce X-ray.

c. To be able to measure the amount of X-ray produced using different metal

targets (e.g. Aluminum, Zinc and Copper) using Geiger Muller counter.

4  
    

1.5 Scope and Limitations

This study aims to contribute in the creation of a cost-effective portable X-ray

device that can successfully generate defined X-ray beams by having the optimum

aperture and target. However, this study will not focus whether the generated X-rays are

either soft and hard X-rays. It will not tackle other types of adhesive tapes rather than the

ones the researchers will use in this study.

1.6 Significance of Study

This study can be of great contribution to the ongoing study of generating X-rays

by exploiting the triboelectric properties of some materials that might lead to innovative

product like portable X-ray machine. It might also contribute in the reduction of cost in the

market price of medical grade X-ray machines because of the lower power consumption

and reduced material cost in the manufacturing of the X-ray machine. X-rays beams with

low power consumption can redefine the way X-ray machines are being powered. It is

now feasible to design an X-ray machine that is battery operated with small form factor.

Portability of the design would definitely be an advantage when deployed into the urban

poor community healthcare services that can now be easily accessible. This study can also

help in designing an optimum aperture size, rotor speed, and metal foil material to produce

sufficient X-ray beams based on triboelectric principles.

5  
    

CHAPTER 2

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

Stocker H. et al. (2013) focused on the triboelectric effect of the materials to

generate hard X-Rays under specific vacuum conditions. It has been written, “The

triboelectric effect explains electrical charging when bringing different materials into

contact.” They reported on the generation of hard X-ray radiation by peeling various

adhesive tapes under medium vacuum conditions. On the other hand, vacuum housing and

pumps as instrumentation only an electric motor, two rolls and a metal foil as target

material are what they’ve used. They

analyzed the spectral distribution of

generated X-rays with the use of an

energy-dispersive detector. They

found that electrons with energies

sufficient to excite emission in the

hard X-ray region are produced is

Figure 2.1. Schematic setup for triboelectric X-Ray
Generation by peeling of adhesive tape.
dependent on the peeling speed,

pressure and choice of material combination. [4]

On the other hand, Krishna G.N. et al. (2014), using triboelectric effect as

theoretical foundation, proposed that instead of vacuum as the condition for producing this

X-rays, they proposed that under air conditions X-Rays with low intensity can be

6  
    

produced. Not only in vacuum X-ray luminescence may occur through the process of

tribocharging even in air this is possible only with low intensity. Secondly it is possible

that this X-ray generation mechanism may be apply to other material pairs too. The

possibility of X-ray emission during rubbing of metals and other selected pairs of

engineering materials in air is still on the observation in the current time. [5] They also

found that this X-rays produces are on the region of Hard X-rays. They did a number of

preliminary tests with other selected material pairs. These were also carried out manually

in air over a small duration of time ~ 10 seconds. Some of the material pairs they’ve

included are high speed rubbing of a smooth polycarbonate plastic (commonly used

compact disc material) on a smooth stainless steel block, unwrapping of a piece of Velcro

tape, high speed rubbing of a thin sheet of paper on a smooth stainless steel block and high

speed rubbing of a steel disc on a brass disc. They found out in all these tests X-ray energy

exceeded 120KeV and they had continuous spectrum and therefore they may be taken as

hard X –rays. They also said these are very rough preliminary tests and the test duration

may differ slightly but not widely.” [4] They also found that emission is only possible

when specific working condition is maintained. Inspired by these preliminary tests they

conducted a series of systematic sliding experiments with selected pair of materials with

the objective of firstly detecting X–ray emission in air and secondly the parameters those

affect the emission most. They believe that the results of emission tests in air would be of

more practical value. The phenomenological study they made of X-ray emission at the

sliding contacts between a pair of metals and other materials reveals that emission is

7  
    

possible only when certain very specific working conditions are maintained. They have

observed that these are the maintained

conditions that make emission possible. They

was able to observed that one of the necessary

conditions for emission was that one of the

rubbing materials needs to be a thin sheet and

Figure 2.2 (a) A typical arrangement for a pin
rubbing on a disc, (b) A thin metal sheet attached
to the pin end. they are able to obtained in the present

 configuration by attaching a thin metal sheet of around 150 µm thick at the rubbing edge

of the pin.” [5] They found vibration at the contact seems to have a major effect on the

emission and it is well known that in rubbing a relatively soft metal with a hard one.” [5]

Camara C.G. et al. (n.d) discussed the use of X-ray fluorescence and imaging to the

advancement of our technologies. In science, the process of exchanging charges

impulsively between various materials that interact with each other remains unsolved.

Despite several studies conducted, there is no definite finding. It has been written After

thousands of years of study there is no ab initio theory of tribocharging. They said as such

it is an area of R&D that is not yet fully connected to the first principles of physics and is

wide open for new inventions. In 2008, Camara et al at UCLA discovered that

tribocharging in a moderate vacuum could be used to take X-ray images. Since then, we

have improved the X-ray output by 6 orders of magnitude and controlled the emission for

use in a commercial product. [6]

8  
    

Kneip S. (2011) discusses the change made by the discoveries of X-rays more than

100 years ago to the human civilization and our efforts to even make it more advance and

innovative for us. They said since their discovery in 1895, X-rays have affected many

aspects of our lives, allowing us to visualize the internal of our bodies, infer the structure

of DNA and test the integrity of aircraft wings. The humble tube that first produced X-

rays has seen considerable development and is still widely used. But demand for and

development of complementary sources of X-ray radiation has also abounded. This has

educed some of the most sophisticated scientific apparatuses catering for cutting-edge

research, and continues to foster the development of innovative X-ray sources for routine

applications. The demonstration that X-rays could be produced with an object as simple as

adhesive tape, and without the application of an external source of high voltage,

encouraged scientists to investigate further. Hird and colleagues’ prototype2 is the

outcome of one such investigation. Their device offers the prospect of building a low-

technology, economical and compact X-ray apparatus for commercial engineering, and to

systematically improve our understanding of the physics of triboelectric charge transfer,

the phenomenon that underlies triboluminescence.[7]

Cleve V.E. et al. (n.d) discusses that ever since the discover of X-rays by the great

Roentgen in 1895 we used the same expensive set up to produced X-rays. And I order to

bring down the price to low cost in 2008 camara et all, design a new lower cost way to

produce X-rays. They said X-ray have been commercially produced using the same basic

9  
    

design since their discovery by Wilhelm Roentgen in 1895, for which he was awarded the

first nobel prize in physics. Like other authors say, they also said it, This technology

requires high voltage elements, ultra high vacuum tubes, and high voltage electronics. The

vacuum and high voltage drive up the price of x-ray technology and in order to bring

down the cost, a brand new way to produce x-rays is needed. In 2008, Carlos Camara,

Juan Escobar, Jonathan R. Hird, and Seth Putterman1 discovered that by pealing scotch

tape in a vacuum you could create enough x-rays to take an x-ray radiograph of a finger.

This lead to the formation of Tribogenics and the development of the rod and band x-ray

architecture. The production of x-rays has not changed significantly since their discovery

in 1895 by Wilhelm Roentgen. Until recently there were only two methods available to

people for producing an appreciable amount of turn-key X-rays by either using advantage

of the cyclotron radiation or by accelerating electrons through high potentials into high Z

materials in a vacuum tube. The former is typically used for high energy and high flux

scientific experiments and the latter is a far more common commercial production method.

They found both of these methods require high voltage power supplies to operate.[8]

Cleve V.E. et al. (n.d.) further gives prove for the production of X-rays using simple

model they have constructed. They said It has recently been shown that triboelectric

charging can be used to charge a surface for the production of x-rays. The nature of the x-

rays that are produced is dependent on the electric field experienced by the electrons. This

field will vary due to both the geometry of the system and the change in the charge density.

10  
    

In there paper they present a simple model for the charge density on the band. They

construct a simple apparatus has been to test the model through the production of x-ray.

Again although the generation of charge through rubbing two materials together,

tribocharging, has been known for over 300 years, it was only recently discovered that this

process could also be used to generate X-rays [9]. Tribocharging has been used to generate

X-rays in several different ways. This method of generating X-rays allows for direct

conversion of mechanical motion into X-ray emission. Here they describe a device based

on this principle. The effect is driven by triboelectrification: the conversion of friction into

a charge imbalance between contacting materials. Tribocharging can be realized by

tapping, rolling or sliding dissimilar materials. In the X-ray source they described, the

charge generation takes place by the sliding contact between a polymer and a metal.”[9]

Decker K. (2012) stated from his thesis the actual price of XRF devices. They said

current x-ray generation machines are heavy, expensive, and require large amounts of

electrical power. These issues arise from the fact that generating x-rays requires the

acceleration of electrons across a potential difference of tens or hundreds of kilovolts.

They said while technology has advanced to the point of handheld x-ray fluorescence

devices, the cost of such machines remains high. They found vendors on EBay list

handheld XRF devices at prices from $23,000 to $30,000. [10] which is a very costly

device, impossible to be afford by the lower to middle class people.

11  
    

McGuire K. (2012) conclude from his study that physical surface distribution plays

a role in charge separation. The analysis of the adhesive length variation from the samples

they used makes them observe that there is a significant change in the distribution of the

tape’s physical characteristics. The analysis shows that the physical surface distribution

plays a role in charge separation. They also found other methods to determine how much

the physical surface influences the energies and total x-ray count are being employed such

as doping the surface and observing the flow and disappearance of metal particles from the

tape surface using dark field microscopy. There results show that the time dependence

may be strongly affected by how the physical surface of the tape changes over time.[11]

Camara C.G. et al. (2009) found that bremsstrahlung radiation from electrons with

energies over 30keV is the require energy for X-rays to be produce from a peeling tape.

They said Bremsstrahlung radiation from electrons with energies over 30 keV is the

source of X-rays from peeling tape. They add the electrons are accelerated by the high

electric fields that form as a result of charge separation at the dielecric surfaces of the

peeling tape.[12]

Fuhse and Salditt (2006) emphasized that using apertures of small sizes is a

requirement for current X-ray imaging, spectroscopy and lithography. These apertures are

also known as spatial filters in several microscopy methods. These tiny apertures are ways

and contributors for the production of defined X-ray beams. Examples of apertures are

slits or pinholes which are used for X-ray beam definition.[13]

12  
    

CHAPTER 3

THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK  

3.1 X-Ray Generation

X-Ray photons are electromagnetic radiation with wavelengths typically in the

range 0.1 - 100 Å. X Rays used in diffraction experiments have wavelengths of 0.5 - 1.8 Å.

X rays are sometimes called Röntgen rays after the discoverer, Wilhelm Conrad

Röntgen.1 He called these new rays X rays after the unknown quantity called X in the

course of analyzing the mathematical expression in describing these new rays. These new

rays had no charge, and were much more penetrating than cathode rays discovered by

Johann Hittorf in 1876. X Rays were

able to pass through a variety of objects.

X rays could expose film. Roentgen

found that X rays could pass through the

tissues of a living person and illustrate

the bones and other tissues in the

body [14]. X-ray production can be

Figure 3.0 Physics behind X-ray production.
shown in fig. 3.1 that described how
http://tech.snmjournals.org/content/32/3/139
/F4.expansion.html
incident electrons produced X-ray beams

by energy conversion. Incident electrons 1, 2, and 3 on the vicinity of the target nucleus

would give rise to bremsstrahlung production caused by the deceleration of these electrons,

13  
    

together with the continuous emission of X-ray beams. While electron 4 demonstrates

characteristic radiation emission, where an incident electron with energy greater than the

K-shell binding energy collides with and ejects the inner electron creating an unstable

vacancy. An outer shell electron transitions to the inner shell then emits an x-ray with

energy equal to the difference in binding energies of the outer electron shell and K shell

that are “characteristic” of some metals (e.g tungsten, molybdenum, titanium, copper, and

others).

Bremsstrahlung radiation from electrons with energies over 30 keV is the source of

X-rays from peeling tape. The electrons are accelerated by the high electric fields that

form as a result of charge separation at the dielectric surfaces of the peeling tape. In

analogy to atmospheric lightning, the precise mechanism of charge separation is unknown.

Whether the tribo-charging of dielectrics is due to the transfer of ions [6] or electrons [7]

is currently debated. A related (and unexplained) observation is that charge can be

systematically transferred between like materials if the radii of curvature of the contacting

components is different.

The X-ray emission was interpreted in terms of a two step process. First, the well

known but still debated phenomenon of tribo-electricification leads to a potential

difference between the freshly exposed surfaces of the peeling tape. Then there occurs an

electric discharge which accelerates electrons to energies where they emit Xrays upon

collisions with atoms.

14  
    

The fundamental limits on the steady state and transient charge densities that can be

achieved via contact electrification of dielectrics remains an unknown and its

demystification will lead to even greater levels of concentration of mechanical energy into

X-ray photons.

Experiment was aimed to understand the fundamental processes that produce the x-

rays, to determine angular dependence between the tape and the spool, and to observe the

time dependence of total x-ray count. Just to be brief, the results for the time dependence

experiment showed a decrease in x-ray count and a conglomeration of glue after 30

minutes. For the angular distribution experiment, results did not show a definitive

conclusion for angular dependence. Jarom accredited the inability of showing an angular

distribution of x-rays to certain flaws in the apparatus he was using at the time

When the electrons are suddenly decelerated upon collision with the target material,

x-rays are produce; these x-rays produce the Bremsstrahlung radiation previously

discussed. If the bombarding electrons have sufficient energy, they can knock an electron

out of an inner shell of the target material atoms. Then, electrons from higher states drop

down to fill the vacancy, which emit x-ray photons with precise energies determined by

the electron energy levels. If the electrons were to be accelerated at normal atmospheric

conditions, there would be tremendous amounts of matter in the air creating a barrier,

which in turn would not permit the electrons to reach the target material, nor reach

15  
    

sufficient energies to emit x-rays. Thus, a considerable vacuum is required so that the

amount of matter is reduced to virtually nothing.

There remain myriad avenues to explore in the pursuit of determining the definite

mechanism for this triboluminescent phenomenon. Some of those include determining an

angular distribution with less uncertainty. If one were to continue observing the physical

surface distribution using microscopy, a better method would be to use white-light

interferometry, and to create a logarithmic topographical map using atomic force

microscopy.

There exist multiple hypotheses that provide good approximations and a strong

foundation for future researchers to follow. The goal will be to narrow the gap between the

current hypotheses and to reduce them to one very strong hypothesis that can provide

much better predictions.

3.2 Soft and Hard X-Ray

In the electromagnetic spectrum, x-rays are found in the short wavelength, high

energy region. The range for the energies of X-rays is from 1keV to greater than 100 keV.

Considered to be the x-rays with the highest energy, hard x-rays contain energies more

than approximately 10 keV. [15]

3.3 Bremsstrahlung X-Rays

16  
    

A charged particle is decelerated upon deflection by another charged particle

resulting to the production of electromagnetic radiation. The kinetic energy of the particle

in motion is then converted into a photon due to conservation of energy. With this,

bremsstrahlung X-rays are generated. [11] Bremsstrahlung X-rays are also known as

braking radiation. It is a German word that indicates the generated radiation when

deceleration of electrons occurs during collision with a metal target. Electromagnetic

radiation is emitted when charges are accelerated. Then, when the bombarding electrons

gains enough energy, the radiation belongs in the x-ray region of the electromagnetic

spectrum. [16]

Electromagnetic radiation is given off by accelerated charges and when there is a

high energy in the bombarding electrons, the certain radiation is determined to be in the x-

ray region of the electromagnetic spectrum. With the continuous distribution of radiation,

the certain radiation is characterized resulting to an increase in the intensity and frequency

during the increase of energy of the bombarding electrons. [11]

3.4 Triboelectric effect

The triboelectric effect describes electrical charging when bringing different

materials into contact. “In 600 B.C, the Greek philosopher named, Thales, knew that

amber, when rubbed, would attract bits of paper and other light objects. Many other

substances have this same property and can be electrified by means of rubbing. The kind

17  
    

of electrification (positive or negative) depends on the substances used.” Triboelectric

effect or contact electrification is a phenomenon that is unsuitable to reproduce because of

the unordered behavior of its surface charge distribution in the atomic scale. Several of

these factors are listed on the next lines which was proved to affect experimental

results[16]. and virtually unreasonable to make a general model. First, Atomic scale

defects have an effect on charge separation. This makes contact electrification experiments

irreproducible especially at the macroscopic level. Second, Contact electrification is a

non-equilibrium phenomenon i.e. when two neutral materials are brought into contact,

charge transfers to the surface until thermodynamic equilibrium is achieved. Upon lost in

contact, charges remain for a long time on each surface until it dissipates though moisture

in the atmosphere. Third, Contact charging for different size scale (atomic, mesoscopic

and macroscopic) have different experimental treatment and conditions that needs to

consider. The same situation applies to each range of time scale (1nsec to > 1 sec. ). In

summary, Triboelectric series is the arrangement of materials affinity to lose or gain

electron.

18  
    

Figure 3.1 : Triboelectric for common materials, Water was recently added by Burgo, et. al,
(Burgo,Galembek and Pollack, 2016).[19]

A mechanism of contact electrification is understood for metals. The energy of the

highest occupied valence state is described by the Fermi level or the work function. Work

function is the energy required to remove an electron. When two metal contacts, the metal

with a higher work function will receive electrons from a lower work function or higher

Fermi levels.

19  
    

Figure 3.2 Contact electrification of metals, metal B with lower work 𝐵 function will transfer
electrons to a higher work function 𝐴 of metal A. The difference the two work functions is the
surface contact potential.

The difference between this work function is the contact potential and is described as

equation 1:

𝑄  = 𝑒(∅𝐵−∅𝐴) Eqn. 1

where: ϕA, ϕB are work functions of materials A and B (eV) respectively, Q is charge (C),
e is electron charge 1.62 x 10-19 C, A is contact area (m2) and N is density of states.
Contact electrification in metals did not gain importance in practical applications since the
charge generation diffuse immediately after being generated on the surface. Furthermore,
charges are most of the time, dissipated to the ground, if the objects are grounded to earth.

Contact electrification of insulators is complicated compared to metals, since there are

three proposals to describe its mechanism, these are electron transfer, ionic transfer and
material transfer.

An ideal insulator structure is composed of valence band and conduction band

separated by a forbidden band (or large bandgap), ideally electron transfer is not possible.

The occurence of trap states such that electrons in this band gap defects remains for long

20  
    

duration. Trapped electrons according to Lacks are the ones responsible for finite

conductivity of insulators and are thought to be responsible for contact charging.

Figure 3.3: a) Insulator energy band, ideally, electrons cannot be transferred to the conduction
band because of forbidden band or the energy required is very high, proposed model for insulator
CE showing trapped electrons transfer to a lower energy level: b) trapped states containing
electrons may transfer to a lower energy level during contact charging.

3.5 Image Analysis

Image Analysis is the process of extracting significant information from acquired

images. This is gathered from digital images with the use of digital image processing

methods [20]. Generally, there are two unique techniques in computerizing analysis of the

structures of computed tomographs. These are the interactive and the automated CT image

analysis technique. The design of the artificial communication module is significant for

the purpose of achieving approprate synergesis in a responsive environment between the

physician and computer system. The significance given to the diagnostic assessment of the

brain ventricles is similar to responsive and automated CT image analysis [17].

21  
    

Image capturing, image storage, correction of imaging defects, image

enhancement, segmentation of objects in the image and image calculations are the primary

steps of image analysis. The pixel grey values can be different within areas that are the

same in the original scene. The noise is primarily established in the background of the

image. Uniform illumination in the image is needed to be able to achieve appropriate

discrimination between various materials or characteristics in an image [21].

In the image, one way of suppressing certain structures is by using filters. Filters

can be either spatial or in the frequency domain. In the analysis of alterations of intensities

of grey values in the frequency domain, the technique used is Hartley transform. In the

spatial domain, filter operations can depend on the average or rank of the grey values

happening in the organizing element [21].

22  
    

CHAPTER 4
METHODOLOGY

Fig. 4.1 below shows the steps that the proponents intend to implement in getting
relevant information to achieve the specific objectives of the study. Design of the X-ray
machine consists of the X-ray source and the direction on how far and how large the field
of view of the proposed X-ray machine.  

Preparation
of materials Analyze
Characterize (Image
Design Assemble X-ray beams Test Subject Comparison
and
equipment Analysis))

Figure 4.1 Flowchart of the Research Design in Building the Portable X-ray Machine

Procurement and preparation of materials and equipment needed is the next step to
fabricate the different parts and components of the X-ray machine. The proponents would
then assemble these parts and components into one integrated system where the power
supplies for the brushless DC motor and servo motors are connected to the speed
controllers to find the optimum settings.

Characterization of the generated X-ray will ensue by using up the Geiger Muller (GM)
counter. A test subject will be used to generate X-ray image on Ag coated X-ray films.
Image analysis will be done from the X-ray images to assess the quality of the image.
Comparison of the X-ray image taken by our proposed X-ray machine and a medical grade
X-ray machine will be done as well.

4.1 List of Materials and Equipment

Listed below are the materials and equipment needed to implement the research design:

-X-ray Diffractometer

23  
    

-brushless DC motor and servo motors

(with one driven by external motor with
constant speed and the other one is freely
rotating.)    

-­‐Adhesive Tapes

-Different Foils Figure 4.2 PHYWE Retrieved from

-Apertures http://www.dlsu.edu.ph/academics/colle
ges/cos/physics/sspg-facility3.asp
-GM Counter
 
-X-Ray Films (optional)

Figure 4.3 Spools and Brushless DC

(BLDC) Motors

Figure 4.4 Adhesive Tape

Figure 4.6 Metal Foil

Figure 4.5 Servo Motor

24  
    

Figure 4.6 PASCO GM Counter. Retrieved at

https://static1.squarespace.com/static/582c914c414fb5b0fbbf17f2/58483296893fc0103f
1195be/58adcafa9de4bb5d94a06c3d/1519419130451/st360_system_small-
%281%29.jpg?format=300w

Figure 4.7 X-Ray Films. Retrieved at https://4.imimg.com/data4/WF/XM/MY-

2180151/x-ray-film-250x250.jpg

4.2 X-ray Source Generator Design

The X-ray machine design is shown in figure 4.8 and it will be contained inside the X-
ray diffractometer (XRD) to confine both soft and hard X-ray source within the XRD’s
chamber that might appear during the course of the experiment.

25  
    

  Effective Field of View

of the Incident X-ray Beam
 

  Aperture

  Adhesive Tape 1 Adhesive Tape 2

α   Ti/Cu/Al Foil

Servo Motor 1 Servo Motor 2

BLDC Motor

Figure 4.8 X-Ray Source Genertor Design

26  
    

4.3 How to Set-Up the X-ray Source Generator Device

Set up two spools as holders for the adhesive tapes inside the XRD with one spool

driven by an external motor with constant speed and the other one freely rotating. Then

place adhesive tapes on the spools in such a way. The full roll of tape is mounted on the

freely rotating spool and peeled off by reeling it on the other spool using and constant

speed external motor. Place the Foils to the assembled machine so that the angle is exactly

to be hit by the electrons produce by the peeling adhesive tapes. This will cause the foils

to produce characteristics X-rays and then next set up aperture angle to the assembled

machine so that it is exactly hit by the X-rays produce by the foils. The characteristic X-

rays registered in the apertures will make these X-ray beams collimated and controlled.

This accurate X-rays then will be tested with a test subject using an X-ray film and a test

subject.

4.4 Experimental Setup

Figure 4.8 Rotary vacuum pump Figure 4.9 The experimental setup

27  
    

Figure 4.8 shows the rotary vacuum pump used in the experiment. In the other

figure, Figure 4.9 shows the entire experimental setup of the X-ray source generator

including the glass bell jar, rotary vacuum pump, Geiger Muller counter and it’s tube.

28  
    

CHAPTER 5

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Table 5.1 Geiger Muller count of X-ray beam from Different Foils (with vacuum)
# of Counts per # of Counts per # of Counts per
Metal Foil Type Second (cps) in 30 Second (cps) in 60 Second (cps) in 90
seconds seconds seconds
Zinc Foil 14 20 19
Aluminum Foil 8 11 18
Copper Foil 5 9 14
 

Table 5.2 Geiger Muller count of X-ray beam from Different Foils (without vacuum)
# of Counts per
Metal Foil Type Second (cps) in 60
seconds
Zinc Foil 12
Aluminum Foil 15
Copper Foil 8

Table 5.1 and table 5.2 shows the amount of X-ray production in counts per second

(cps) in 30 seconds, 60 seconds and 90 seconds time interval for three metal target foils.

For the purpose of determining if there are any background radiation signals beside the X-

ray source involving the Geiger Muller (GM) counter measurements, the researchers

disabled the X-ray source generator set up and results show that there were no discernable

GM count demonstrating that the signal detected by GM was coming from X-ray source

generator set up.

29  
    

5.1 Data Analysis

Table 5.1 shows the X-ray production in units of counts per second (cps) in time

intervals of 30 seconds, 60 seconds, and 90 seconds using three different foils namely,

zinc foil, aluminum foil and copper foil as targets. The X-ray beams were detected in

vacuum condition using the Geiger Muller counter. Results show that zinc target foil

produced the highest X-ray production at 20 cps in 60-second time interval and copper

target foil produced 9 cps at the same time interval. In all time intervals, there was a

consistent trend in the amount of X-ray production for all three metal target foils where

zinc produces the largest cps followed by aluminum then copper being the lowest X-ray

production among the metal target foils.

Table 5.2 shows the X-ray production in cps in 60 second time interval only using

zinc foil, aluminum foil, and copper target foil without the use of rotary vacuum pump for

the glass bell jar. Results would show that aluminum target foil produced the highest X-

ray production at 15 cps that is almost twice the copper target foil’s X-ray at 8 cps only.

However for this condition, the amount of X-ray production is slightly reduced compared

to Table 5.1 outcomes at the same time interval of 60-second. Thus, we can deduced that

gas inside the glass bell jar reduces the X-ray production of the source generator.

From the results shown above, it can be seen that there is a greater amount of X-ray

production if the setup is enclosed in a chamber with a vacuum.

30  
    

5.2 Instrumentation Analysis

With the given available data, there were limitations in terms of the background

environmental conditions and other factors might affect the amount of X-ray production.

One limiting factor in the X-ray production is the amount of power being delivered into the

servomotor. The amount of motor’s rotational speed is dependent on it’s input power both

for it’s input voltage and input current. It does not provide enough speed to produce

sufficient amount of X-ray beams for imaging applications. This can be improved either by

using a more powerful motor to be able to peel the tape at a faster rate or simply by

increasing the electric current that can provide more input power to the servomotor.

Another factor that might delimit the X-ray production is the humidity condition inside the

glass bell jar. High humidity condition might result into less energetic incident electron

production on the adhesive tape. This can be improved by controlling the prevailing

humidity condition of the room or glass bell jar at lower temperature. Another factor in the

device development is the amount of vacuum pressure inside the glass bell jar. Lower

vacuum pressure can dislodged more background gas inside the glass bell jar that delimits

the influx of energetic electrons on the target metal foil.  

31  
    

CHAPTER 6

CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS

The researchers demonstrated the feasibility of generating enough X-ray radiation

from 8 cps up to 15 cps by unpeeling action of the adhesive tape with a constant rotational

speed of 2.1 rad/sec and an input voltage of 6 volts for the servomotor. The aluminum

target foil has shown the largest X-ray production at 15 cps and the copper foil was able to

generate 8 cps for conditions without vacuum. In vacuum condition, the X-ray source

generator was able to produce a maximum of 20 cps with zinc target foil and 18 cps with

aluminum target foil. These amounts of X-ray radiation are not enough to produce a

discernible image on a dental X-ray film, thus refinement in the design of the device is

recommended for further application to possible alternative X-ray source in the design of

an X-ray machine for dental and medical use.

Lower vacuum pressure, low humidity condition and low temperature conditions

are one of the several conditions that can be considered to produce enough X-ray radiation

for dental and medical imaging applications. Higher electric current and higher rotational

speed are another external parameters that can be improved in the design of the X-ray

source generator. Other materials like 3M scotch tape can be also considered as an

alternative adhesive tape to produce more energetic incident electrons via tribo-

electrification.

32  
    

APPENDICES

Appendix A

GANTT CHART
FOR
THSPHY1 – THSPHY3
Activity December January February March April
Thesis Proposal
Defense
Thesis Proposal
Revision
Gathering of
materials for
experimentation
Thesis proper
experimentation
Analysis of the
results
Writing the thesis
paper
Final thesis
defense
Final thesis
revision
 

   

33  
    

Appendix B

Line Item Budget

Quantity Cost
Materials
Source of In
Needed
Materials Php
https://www.lazada.com.ph/rc-22122200kv-
brushless-motor-for-rc-plane-aircraft-helicopter-
Motors & stylea2212-6t-f02048-intl-
1 471
Spools 53344151.html?spm=a2o4l.search.products-
list.15.29c5e5f5nZmCSX&ff=1&time=1512701
123
https://www.lazada.com.ph/era-30a-brushless-
motor-speed-controller-rc-bec-esc-t-rex-450-
Motor
v2helicopter-boat-
Speed 3992200.html?spm=a2o4l.search.products-
1 459
Controller list.31.29c5e5f59qF7qa&ff=1&time=151270169
3
https://www.lazada.com.ph/mg90s-9g-metal-
gear-servo-motors-parts-for-rc-helicopter-drone-
Servo accessory-intl-
1 392
Motor 51519785.html?spm=a2o4l.search.products-
list.15.5f472becTmLxHb&ff=1&time=1512701
788
https://www.lazada.com.ph/sogo-aluminum-
foil-12x500m-food-grade-jumbo-roll-1-roll-
Aluminum
16072118.html?spm=a2o4l.search.products- 1 920
Foil list.19.4fe8beede92GxC&ff=1&time=15133458
23
https://www.lazada.com.ph/3pcs-05-x-50-x-
50mm-999-pure-copper-cu-metal-sheet-foil-intl-
Copper Foil 16398183.html?spm=a2o4l.search.products- 1 699
list.14.744993a6nwLv73&ff=1&time=1513346
173
https://www.lazada.com.ph/1x-high-purity-pure-
zinc-zn-sheet-plate-metal-foil-
Zinc Foil 100mmx100mmx05mm-for-science- 2 764
7735285.html?spm=a2o4l.search.products-
list.3.4ca95ei6FnxY&ff=1&time=1513350683
   

34  
    

Quantity Cost
Materials
Source of In
Needed
Materials Php
https://www.lazada.com.ph/diy-hot-melt-high-
Adhesive adhesive-double-sided-tape-
2 240
Tape 41435817.html?spm=a2o4l.prod.0.0.7d61ff9cZ
DmiR9
Total Amount 3,945

35  
    

Appendix C
ETHICS CHECKLIST

Instead of completing a number of ethics checklists even when wildlife, human

participants, etc. are not involved in the research, theses/dissertations shall
include a declaration of non-use, placed after the approval sheet.

For Thesis Proposal

DECLARATION OF NON-USE

We, Jeric E. Tan and Rennard Jared Benedict S. Wong, declare that our
research entitled “Development of an X-Ray Source Generator via Adhesive
Tape Peeling Action Coupled with Metal Foils Based on Triboelectric
Principles” will not involve human participants, wildlife and animals, nor will it
involve the use of infectious agents and toxic substances.

JERIC E. TAN
Name and Signature of Researcher

RENNARD JARED BENEDICT S. WONG

Name and Signature of Researcher

Confirmed by:

ROMERIC F. POBRE, PhD

Name and Signature of Adviser

36  
    

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38