It’s the McLVDT, a linear variable differential transfomer, made from McDonald’s straws. The creator writes:
I made a primary coil on a normal sized straw, and made two secondary coils on the outside of the larger McDonald’s straw. Since the McStraw is large-bore (perfect for those thick high calorie shakes), the smaller straw with the primary winding fits nicely inside. The position of the inner straw can be determined by examining the amplitude and phase of the combined signals of the secondary coils, which is shown in raw form on the oscilloscope.
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Ha! This might make a nice linear movement sensor as well!
LVDTs are for measuring linear displacement.
If you live in a town big enough to have a place to buy Bubble Tea, buy yourself a tasty beverage. And save the straw. If you think the McDonalds milkshake straws are large-bore, you’ve never enjoyed Bubble Tea.
Bubble Tea? I’ll have to check that out. Thanks!
I’ve since made a detailed article about this.
It can be found here
http://hackscape.wordpress.com/2009/11/27/mclvdt/