Science Buddies: "Ask an Expert"

I apologize if the contents of this post are not posted in an appropriate location. It's just that, I've never been to the ISEF, and it's been my dream to just goe...for quite some time now. My high-school has a boatload of info, as I'm enrolled in a "science fair training program" that focuses all the work I should be doing in other classes for first semester on science fair and writing a minimum 15 page paper (and that gets you about a D, unless it's extremely well written). More to the point, I have a project idea involving radiation proofing circuitry, and I have a circuit design created by some professors that (to my best interpretation of the powerpoint) blocks out 90% of errors (SEU's) caused by encounters with radiation at high voltages of current run through it. This could proove especially useful on space flights, as well as to the technology in the International Space Station. Furthermore, even Toyota attempts to blame it's brake malfunctions on SEU's caused by cosmic rays (space radiation). I aim to test the claims of the novel design found in the powerpoint, and analyze the data, as well as expand on it's more Earthly practical uses.

If anyone is new to circuitry, you can well see the problem I am having by looking at the powerpoint; it is confusing to say the least, and I still am unsure as to how to design the circuit. With some aid from science buddies, I know I can turn this into an ISEF worthy project. The due date for the project is Dec. 07, 2010, so I do have time on my side (right?). If anyone is experienced with circuitry, please advise me as to wether I'm in over my head, or if this is doable and I just need some guidence. There is a college close to my house, and I know some proffessors and lab assistants from previous (though only State worthy) projects. I know they'd be willing to help me provided I can come to them with some understanding of the subject matter. I 'm sorry for the long post, and am diligently working on research of the matter, though please keep in mind, I have just begun working on the project. I have the money, I have a nice chunk of time, the interest, and supplies from a local college as well as the support of my school; I even have two years worth of science fair state level experience! I know I can make it, but where to begin for an advanced project...

As you can imagine, this is a relatively unique project, difficult, elements of novelty (at least the circuit design is new), and relatively simple: build the circuit, give it a simple function, bombard it with x-rays (a simulation of radiation bombardment levels that could be encountered in space flight), attach it to a computer to moniter the results, and observe if the circuit can accurately perform it's function without a corruption that messes it up, and document the amount of radiation that's being blocked vs. how much it's bombarded with. This provides a (pretty) decent analysis of the "novel" circuitry design's alleged efficiency, provided other variables are controlled and accounted for. See? Simple to discribe...But the technicalities are intimidating.

Electrical circuit suseptibility to high energy particals and/or electromagnetic waves and/or electro static discharge (ESD) is a technically challenging field and related to electro magnetic interference (EMI). There is also a related suseptance to electro magnetic pulse (EMP). Start researching ESD, EMI, and EMP.

Most engineers involved in these and related specialties rarely design the original circuitry. They just get stuck testing the designs and/or improving the designs.

I suspect that less than 20 percent of electrical engineers with BS degrees would know were to begin in this area. This will be an extremely challenging area and will require significant equipment resources.

Thanks! I at least know where to get started. But I feel I don't want to branch the project out too far, I just want to test a simple variable is all. Although, with more time, I think I can delve deeper into the intricacies of the project.