Month: January 2012

How-To: Work with Shape-Memory Alloy

How-To: Work with Shape-Memory Alloy

Shape-memory alloy (SMA), metal that changes shape when heated to an activation temperature can be used in all sorts of projects.

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What is the World’s Strongest Plastic?

What is the World’s Strongest Plastic?

It’s a simplistic question, possibly even naive. Put it to a chemical engineer or a materials scientist, and she or he will almost certainly not come back with a single answer, but with (at least) two questions: What do you mean by “plastic?” Do thermosetting materials like epoxy count? What about polymers that are reinforced […]

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The Modular Electronic Drums of Nick Yulman

The Modular Electronic Drums of Nick Yulman

Nick Yulman, of NY Soundworks, recently debuted debuted his Index Boogie performance piece at PS1. The piece consists of various solenoid-powered noise makers, which Yulman calls either “Surface Poppers” or “Drum Beaters”. They’re designed to be modular music devices that can easily be mated to virtually any inanimate object.

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Plywood Table is All Secret Compartment

Plywood Table is All Secret Compartment

Artists Naoki Hirakoso and Takamitsu Kitahara built this wooden surface called the Kai Table, complete with a bunch of “secret” compartments — probably more accurately described as storage compartments; they don’t seem too secret. [via Dornob]

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