Haven Searcy successfully defended his thesis entitled “Developing a Remote Gamma Spectra Collection System for Radiation Sciences at University of Nevada Las Vegas” on September 11th, 2024.

In this project, a practical solution was developed that allows scientists and students alike to be able to analyze already prepared samples either in the lab or remotely from any computer that the admin allows to access the website. The method utilizes a combination of nuclear detection equipment, python coding, a robotic arm, an automatic sampler changer, as well as a VPN to enable professors or researchers to determine who is able to access the results. The process requires samples to be placed in the automatic sample changer capable of holding up to dozen of samples, from there a robotic arm transfers the sample into the high-purity germanium detector. A Lynx Digital Signal Analysis (DSA) module is connected to the detector providing analysis on the content of the sample.

The committee includes Dr. Zaijing Sun (chair), Dr. Steen Madsen, Dr. Vicent Wang, Dr. Yu Kuang, and Dr. Lung-wen Chen.

Haven will start his new job as a Health Physicist at the Nevada National Security Site next month. Congratulations to Haven!