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!
MAKE pal and Maker faire attendee Mark Hoekstra has completed his hacked up iPod charge for bicycles, pedal your way to a fully charged iPod! He’s put together a how-to with everything you’ll need to attempt building your own, or just get inspired. I have a feeling we’ll see an iPod accessory in stores like this very soon! Link.
Southpaw writes “After reading the Dean Kamen (MAKE 04) article I wanted to learn more about stirling engines and stumbled upon this site which shows you how to build your own…out of marbles! Also of note is the NMRI homepage which shows off the firm’s 400m long tow tank and 35m long Ice basin (under “main facilities”).” Link.
This site has a bit of information about a paper microscope kit, they’re only sold in Germany, but it looks easy enough to recreate these and make your own…“Here’s a microscope, made from nothing but paper, two lenses, a plastic mirror and a drinking straw. Although this is not the kind of material you would expect to be used in an optical instrument, the facts are quite amazing: 50 x magnification, gear drive for focus setting, high quality plastic lenses, mirror to collect light for transmission view.” Thanks Joevennix! Link.
Blue_Guy sent in this great collection of buses and trucks modded to RV’s. “Don’t look for any slick chrome-and-plastic Silver-Eagle RV’s converted by professional shops or retired backyard do-it-myselfers. All of the vehicles featured herein are original, one-of-a-kind creations which reflect the owner/builder’s lifestyle and architectural beliefs. True, some are little more than shanties on wheels, while others are an abrupt attempt to be liberated from stationary habitations, but at the upper end of the scale, you’ll find many which could be classified as genuine art.” Link.
This is from earlier this year, but I didn’t see how it was done – so here it is. Ever want to make your own TRON lightcycle game? But not a video game, real life! Here’s a page that details how a group of racers hacked up gear and software to make a real life TRON racing game. Ingredients: “gps-receiver, backpack with laptop(Tatonka Serverpack with Gateway Solo 2500), keyboard, trackball (from old broken laptop), helmet (giro switchblade) with display (old viewfinder)” Link.
Folks trying to keep a Maker’ down! – “Albert Swank Jr., a 55-year-old civil engineer in Anchorage, Alaska, is a man with a mission. He wants to install a nuclear particle accelerator in his home. But when neighbors learned of plans to place the 20-ton device inside the house where Swank operates his engineering firm, their response was swift: Not in my backyard. Local lawmakers rushed to introduce emergency legislation banning the use of cyclotrons in home businesses. State health officials took similar steps, and have suspended Swank’s permit to operate cyclotrons on his property.” [via] Link.
“There’s a super article in Popular Electronics, May 1996, pp 48-52, 78, titled “Build a Magnetic Ball Levitator”, by James Cicon. It describes how to build an electromagnet with an optical sensor which will keep a hollow steel ball floating in the air about 1/4″ below the electromagnet. This is like the globe of the earth which is suspended in air under an electromagnet that can be purchased for about $125. The material costs for this project is only about $20.” Link.
