Technology

Light Wave: Playing with Light

Light Wave: Playing with Light

Light Wave is a two player game and art installation I created. The game is simple. To begin the rally, hit a pedestal with one of the foam mallets. If your partner’s hit is timed correctly the rally will continue. The harder a pedestal is hit the faster the signal travels and it doesn’t slow down until a winner is determined. You may think that tennis or pong skills would serve the player well, but I found that players with experience in rhythm games like DDR or Guitar Hero usually won.

Paper Resistor

Paper Resistor

Instructables user science4u used this simple arrangement to create an ad hoc paper resistor — a strip of heavy paper with pencil lead limiting the flow of current, with precisely spaced paperclips serving as leads. Desperate for a 10K? Draw your own! [Thanks, Laura!]

Red Bull TurBull Encabulator

Red Bull TurBull Encabulator

We were lucky enough to get our hands on one of the Red Bull TurBull Encabulator boards early, and even opening the box was a cool experience. The laser-cut wooden sides came with diffusing paper, leading me to the idea that it would make a great-looking lamp. After some more brainstorming, I decided on a programmable, lighted “MAKE” sign, and the “big letters project” was born.