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!

How-To: Anodized titanium jump rings

How-To: Anodized titanium jump rings

Titanium is really cool for a lot of reasons, but this Instructable by, ah, “Thursday” highlights one in particular: It is incredibly easy to anodize, and produces really striking colors when anodized. So, you know, if you’re interested in anodizing this is an way to start experimenting. Thursday has stripped the anodizing process down to it’s absolute minimum here: small titanium bits, white vinegar, a stack of 9V batteries, and a counterelectrode. Now I want to see somebody use all those differently-colored rings to make a chain-mail photomosaic.

Continue Reading Sean Michael Ragan
The Zambulance

The Zambulance

Sometimes you don’t have the option of calling for an ambulance. That’s when something like the Zambulance comes in. Made by Zambian bicycle manufacturer Zambikes, this modified bike trailer is outfitted with a mattress and a tent-like curtain to offer shelter from the heat and rain. What used to be a 2-3 hour ox cart ride can now be accomplished in as little as 30 minutes.

Continue Reading Adam Flaherty
Impressive and Slightly Scary Coilgun Build

Impressive and Slightly Scary Coilgun Build

No, this is not one of the sci-fi video game replica weapon props I keep posting about–it’s a real, functioning homemade coil-gun by Jason, aka YouTube user Larsplatoon, aka Photobucket and 4hv.org user Saz43, who has been working on it for two years. It’s billed as a “1.25kJ Coilgun,” but I dunno how that figure was computed. If it is muzzle energy then projectiles from this weapon deliver more kinetic energy than a .45 handgun but less than an M16 rifle, which I frankly doubt. But judge for yourself by clicking the embedded player below to be taken directly to the test firings at 2:50, in which various housewares get shattered and punched full of holes. I’m guessing 1.25 kJ is the theoretical maximum energy that can be delivered by the capacitor bank, and that the real muzzle energy is significantly lower.

Continue Reading Sean Michael Ragan4

Announcing Science Hack Day SF!

Here’s a message from Ariel Waldman, announcing the first US Science Hack Day, happening right in the heart of Silicon Valley! Makers can post their ideas to the wiki and hack with us when the day (Nov 13-14) comes. I’m helping to organize the event. Hope to see you there! — Eri We’re super excited […]

Continue Reading Eri Gentry
Make: Projects – Permanently stain PVC pipe any color you want

Make: Projects – Permanently stain PVC pipe any color you want

I love PVC pipe: It’s weatherproof, cheap, commonly available, easy to work, and easy to join temporarily or permanently. Apart from a slightly icky environmental footprint, the only serious drawback of PVC pipe is that it’s ugly, owing largely to the fact that it’s usually available only in white, off-white, gray, or (sometimes) black. PVC can be painted, sure, but getting a good finish requires careful surface preparation, and even then the paint tends to flake or wear off with time, weather, and/or handling.

But, as you’ll know if you’ve ever tried to remove a purple primer stain, it is possible to indelibly colorize PVC pipe. I got curious about what was in purple primer, and a bit of digging revealed that it’s just clear primer plus purple dye. I reasoned, then, that I ought to be able to make my own “purple primer” in whatever color I wanted by adding solvent dye to clear primer. Long story short: It works, and it works great. You can read all about it here.

Continue Reading Sean Michael Ragan7