How-To: Sled from wooden pallet
Wooden pallets are easy to come by and can be made into a neat sled (or sledge) using Stiffey’s Instructable.
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!
Atomic-bond resolution microscopy
Pardon me while I go chemistry geek. It has recently come to my attention that Leo Gross and co-workers at IBM Research in Switzerland have developed a special atomic-force microscopy technique that can image actual molecules with enough resolution to “see” individual bonds and hydrogen atoms. Shown uppermost is a computer-generated model of the pentacene molecule, and below it, an actual image from the microscope. The microscope’s probe is tipped with a single molecule of carbon monoxide. Unbelievable.
World’s tiniest “snow” man
It’s tin that’s been etched with a focused ion beam (FIB) instrument, with bits ion-welded platinum for the nose and to hold the tin spheres together. I guess it’s impractical to work with actual ice when you’re at the 10 micrometer scale. A human hair is about 50 micrometers across. It’s the work of Dr. David Cox and co-workers at the National Physical Laboratory in London.
Edible Lasers
A friend of mine claimed you can make a laser from a gin & tonic, and so I had to find out more. It turns out that not only can you make a very poor laser using ethyl alcohol, you can also make one from Jello! Well, not the actual Jello like you’d find in […]
Alt.CES: Wood-housed electronica: ostensibly green or faux-maker?
One of the products released at this year’s CES is iWave‘s Grass Roots Collection of personal electronics accessories — iPhone cases, earbuds, and earphones, all cased in recycled wood. They’re due out Q2 of 2010 with a MSRP of $10-40. iWave’s press release explains: The design-forward electronic accessory company is offering its loyal customers […]
Wooden car burns wooden fuel, travels Europe
Artist, traveller, & inventor Joost Conijn spent the better part of a year building his own very custom automobile – almost entirely from wood. And what more fitting way to power such a vehicle, than with an onboard wood-burning stove! You might assume such a novel machine wasn’t intended for any lengthy excursions, but in […]
Eco-Fashion Predictions for 2010
Ecouterre our favorite site on sustainable fashion rings in the new year with 16 eco-fashion predictions for 2010. I was so honored to be included in the roundup of creative eco-thinkers!