Design and Construction of a 1.2 kV, 2 Amp Van de Graaff Generator for X-ray and Medical/Nuclear Applications Using Locally Sourced Materials

Abstract

This article presents the design, construction, and practical applications of a 1.2 kV, 2 Amp Van de Graaff (VDG) generator tailored for use in X-ray generation and medical/nuclear research. Emphasis is placed on the utilization of locally sourced materials, ensuring affordability, sustainability, and ease of replication in resource-limited settings. The VDG was first developed by Robert Jemison Van de Graaff in 1929, in the United States which was why it conveys his name till date. The generator operates using electrostatic principles to produce high-voltage direct current (DC) power. Applications discussed include diagnostic radiography, material excitation for spectroscopy, and particle acceleration. Challenges such as corona discharge, charge leakage, and dielectric breakdown are addressed, and mitigation strategies are outlined. Diagrams and circuit schematics are included to guide replication. The work underscores the potential for low-cost yet effective high-voltage research tools in developing countries. Though the DC current is extremely low, and dissipation of its voltages is very fast which makes it safe to operate with minimal risks. The design and construction looks simpler, its operating principle is cumbersome as electric charges are generated without frictional forces between the belt and the rollers.