Ertugrul Sarikaya's 3D-Printable Magnetron Geoscanner Peers Beneath the Surface via Magnetic Flux
Take a look underground without needing to pack a shovel with this Espressif ESP32-powered handheld magnetic scanner.
Maker Ertugrul Sarikaya has designed a handheld tool that aids in the mapping of magnetic fields — using an Espressif ESP32 microcontroller to turn readings into a heatmap on device: the Magnetron Geoscanner Basic.
"I designed and built a fully portable magnetic field mapping device called the Magnetron Geoscanner Basic," Sarikaya explains. "The system is designed for experimental magnetic field scanning, magnetic anomaly visualization, DIY research, educational projects, and field mapping applications. Unlike conventional metal detectors, this device does not directly identify specific metals or guarantee underground object detection. Instead, it measures small variations and disturbances in the surrounding magnetic field and visualizes them as a real-time color heatmap."
The handheld device is based on a pair of fluxgate magnetometer sensors, linked to an Arduino Nano R3 microcontroller that handles the scanning side of the project. Data gathered by these are transferred to a more powerful Espressif ESP32-based 4.3" touchscreen smart display, which runs a user interface that includes transforming the readings into a heatmap — much like a thermal camera, but for magnetic flux sensing rather than heat.
"Variations in subsurface structures, geological formations, disturbed soil, mineralized regions, or ferrous materials may produce detectable magnetic anomalies within the Earth's natural magnetic field environment," Sarikaya explains. "Non-magnetic regions or cavities may also produce relative negative magnetic responses when compared to surrounding areas with stronger magnetic activity. Interpretation of magnetic maps depends on environmental conditions, soil structure, local geology, and operator experience."
More information is available on Instructables and Sarikaya's website; STL files, a bill of materials, full wiring diagrams, and firmware are available to buy on Cults 3D for $5.77, a claimed 30% discount over a planned selling price of $8.25.