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!

Mercury “beating heart” demo video

This classic chemistry demo involves the use of toxic metallic mercury, so it’s one of those that is best to just watch on YouTube instead of trying yourself. The pulsing action is caused by surface tension effects–metallic mercury is oxidized at the surface of the drop to form a film of mercury (I) sulfate, which lowers the drop’s surface tension and causes it to flatten under its own weight. The flattening brings the drop into contact with the tip of a carefully-positioned iron nail, which reduces the mercury (I) sulfate back to metallic mercury, which in turn increases the drop’s surface tension and causes it to contract away from the nail. Thanks to YouTuber sciencevidds for sharing it with us. [via Boing and then some more Boing]

Continue Reading Sean Michael Ragan12
myPod looks like a neat pad

myPod looks like a neat pad

Need a unique spot for your studio/workshop/cave? Inside, perhaps you could get inspired to incubate your latest crazy ideas. They’re being pitched as an environmentally benign alternative to commuting and less expensive to heating a whole house for a home office. These appear to be production models with standardization of design and materials. Anybody have alternative versions we can see?

Continue Reading Chris Connors16
Maker Birthdays: Douglas Engelbart

Maker Birthdays: Douglas Engelbart

Chances are you have Douglas C. Engelbart to thank for what you’re holding in your hand right now.

I’m talking about your computer mouse, of course.

Dr. Engelbart was born on this date in 1925. In 1967, while working at the prestigious Stanford Research Institute, he applied for a patent on an “X-Y Position Indicator for a Display System,” which issued in 1970, although, per his Wikipedia article, he never actually received any royalties on it. He has been widely honored for his contributions to human-computer interface development.

Dr. Engelbart has four children and nine grandchildren, and today he’s 85. Congratulations and happy birthday, sir!

Continue Reading Sean Michael Ragan
Creating an “E-Tractor”

Creating an “E-Tractor”

Students at Bonham ISD High School, in Bonham, TX, are turning this old on tractor, donated to them by the Ivanhoe Christmas Tree Farm, into their Electric Vehicle Project for the 2009/2010 school year. Plans are to use the tractor in a farm tractor driving certification/safety course. Primary charging of the E-Tractor will be via […]

Continue Reading Gareth Branwyn
FabLab House: MIT cribs?

FabLab House: MIT cribs?

So apparently, MIT’s Center for Bits and Atoms is in the housing biz. Recently they sponsored the FabLab House, a futuristic-looking concept house designed for the Solar Decathalon Europe. The FabLab House was designed as an ellipsoid structure prefabricated from wood that is formed into a rib-like structure. Although this specific house was designed for […]

Continue Reading John Baichtal2
Printable gel casting kit from cathalgarvey

Printable gel casting kit from cathalgarvey

If you’re interested in doing gel electrophoresis at home, there are certainly easier ways to get a gel casting kit, but I wanted to throw some more props at Thingiverse user cathalgarvey, who has recently also brought us a printable microlathe and a printable centrifuge attachment for a motor tool. He’s fast making a name for himself as a designer of practical printables. Might I suggest a printable microtome next?

Continue Reading Sean Michael Ragan8