Snowzilla in Mattapan
The MBTA uses a Korean War-era jet engine mounted on a train to keep a short section of the Mattapan line clear of snow.
Science
DIY science is the perfect way to use your creative skills and learn something new. With the right supplies, some determination, and a curious mind, you can create amazing experiments that open up a whole world of possibilities. At home-made laboratories or tech workshops, makers from all backgrounds can explore new ideas by finding ways to study their environment in novel ways – allowing them to make breathtaking discoveries!
The quest for a rechargeable lithium-air battery
So-called “air batteries,” in which one of the reacting chemical species is atmospheric oxygen, are already widely employed, for instance, in hearing-aid batteries, which are commonly zinc-air cells with a piece of adhesive film that must be removed before use to allow atmospheric oxygen onto the cathode.
Solar concentrator from old satellite dish
Made from an ordinary fiberglass satellite dish, it is covered in about 5800 3/8″ (~1cm) mirror tiles. When properly aligned, it can generate a spot the size of a dime with an intensity of 5000 times normal daylight. This intensity of light is more than enough to melt steel, vaporize aluminum, boil concrete, turn dirt into lava, and obliterate any organic material in an instant. It stands at 5’9″ and is 42″ across.
How-To: Ping pong ball display
Nice original content from our pals over at Hack a Day. Great project, guys!
Lake City builds on Ron McNair’s legacy
Incredible story as we reach the 25th year since the Challenger explosion… The boy walked to the counter of the Lake City Public Library through a gantlet of stares in 1959. Ronald E. McNair, then 9, wanted to check out books on advanced science and calculus, but the librarian wouldn’t release them. “We don’t circulate […]
How-To: Earthbag dome
Owen Geiger on Instructables writes: This earthbag dome Instructable simplifies the process and illustrates each step of construction with photos. The two critical drawings are also included here. Please refer to the complete article before asking questions. This multi-purpose dome can serve as a storage shed or cool pantry above ground, or as a rootcellar […]
The steam engines of Karsten Gintschel
That was written in 2009. Rog has an impressive collection of Karsten steam engines, most of which seem to be based on the aeolipile. Gintschel-Modelbau now has a German-language website, but Rog’s page shows many older models not included there.