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!
Unigamer points out this article from BBC news briefly describing how University of California researchers have successfully used peeling adhesive tape to generate X-rays strong enough to scan a human finger. Cool – homemade X-ray machines can’t be far behind! Update: See the full video demonstration @ Nature.com
According to Japan Today (via Ecogeek): The transport ministry aims to introduce a system in fiscal 2010 to provide 30% of the cooling energy at New Chitose Airport terminal building in summer from snow collected in winter, ministry officials said Tuesday. A regional office of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism collected snow […]
From Austin Energy, here’s a good overview of a variety of sustainable construction technologies. Much of this is Austin-centric, but the reading references and overviews are broadly applicable. For example, here’s the start of the graywater systems page: In Central Texas, any opportunity to reuse water should be taken because we are using up more […]
I’ve heard this workshop provides a good overview of home efficiency upgrades, including lots of ideas for DIY projects: Austin Energy Green Buildingâ„¢ holds its one-day Green by Design workshop four times a year. Austinites preparing to build, buy, or remodel a home can learn how to improve energy and water efficiency, increase comfort, and […]
Tonight, Austinites can check out a cooperative community event: In addition to the retro White Ghost Shivers’ music, I’m excited to check out the Austin Time Exchange Network, South Austin Food Co-op, and Black Star Co-op…
They’re not Make or Craft, but a few other magazines do have a healthy sprinkling of DIY projects among their archives. Here’s a good one from Homepower: Passive Solar Retrofit… In A Weekend (pdf). As I find sustainable projects, especially those that are lower-tech, I find it interesting to look at any disadvantages and think […]
The first wave farm is open for biz, er, waving… The world’s first commercial wave farm went live at the end of September in Agucadoura, located off the coast of northern Portugal. Designed by Pelamis Wave Power, the farm employs three Wave Energy Converters – snakelike, semi-submerged devices that generate electricity with hydraulic rams driven […]
