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Archive: Science
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February 6, 2008
"Luke" arm
Here's an incredible video from IEEE Spectrum on the new robotic arm Dean Kamen's DEKKA group is working on, it's inspired by robotic arm in Star Wars that Luke Skywalker had - Link.
Related:
Dean Kamen's "Luke Arm" prosthesis readies for clinical trials - Link.
From the pages of MAKE:
- Dean Kamen: The Dean of Engineering - Link.
- Volume 04 - Maker: Dean Kamen (Page 32) - Link.
- More from Dean Kamen - Link.
- MAKE Volume 04: Music and Kits for the Holidays. Cool holiday kit reviews, build a cigar box guitar, circuit bending, high-speed flash photography, coffee hacks, and lots of DIY music projects. Link & Get it at the Maker Store.
Posted by Phillip Torrone |
Feb 6, 2008 07:00 AM
News from the Future, Robotics, Science |
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February 1, 2008
Seeing sound waves
Using an oscilloscope to track waveforms is always interesting - but the effects of sound vibration on real-world materials can be downright stunning.
Try experimenting with different substances over a loud speaker, just don't spill any milk in your speaker cone!
Sound Waves on YouTube - Link
Snowy Day @ MGFest 2008 [via]-Link
Related:
Ruben's Tube - Sound visualization... with FIRE! -Link
Posted by Collin Cunningham |
Feb 1, 2008 04:40 PM
Science |
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An open source synthetic biology toolkit
I'm not near a good connection to grab this, but once I am it's impossible to resist...DIY information on building genetically engineered organisms in your own home, such as schematics for building your own oligonucleotide machine and DNA PCR techniques, cloning methods, etc. (torrented). Bryan writes -
The open biohacking kit project contains information on important protocols in genetic engineering, stem cell research, microbiology and other fields of related interest. Additionally, the archive file -- ready for immediate distribution and diffusion -- contains numerous articles and designs for cheap DIY hardware such as incubators, centrifuges, oligonucleotide machines, microarray chip schematics, and so on. An integral part of the entire package is a cached copy of the BioBrick Foundation and synbio websites, such as OpenWetWare and the Parts Registry -- some may know about these groups from the International Genetically Engineered Machine competitions. Short introductory files are also being included regarding methods of artificial gene synthesis, using online bioinformatics databases, transfections, running ecoli farms, synthetic biology (synbio), ES cell harvesting procedures, quick "where to buy" guides, and one-page documents introducing newbies into the arts.An open source synthetic biology toolkit - Link.
Posted by Phillip Torrone |
Feb 1, 2008 03:45 PM
DIY Projects, News from the Future, Science |
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January 31, 2008
The trials of the jet pack
Popular Mechanics has an informative piece on the many trials and tribulations of the fledgling "jet pack" industry, starting with the deceit in the name itself:
Then there's the bad news. First, these jet packs aren't what they seem: Jet-powered devices are in development (and models were tested as early as the '60s), but all models on the verge of availability are, in fact, jet-free and called, officially, rocket belts. Second, while last year there were two commercial rocket-belt manufacturers--Mexico's Tecnologia Aeroespacial Mexicana (TAM) and Colorado-based JetPack International--there are now three: Thunderbolt Aerosystems, based in California, plans to start selling its ThunderPack TP-R2G2 rocket belt to customers this summer. Why is another entry in the fledgling human-flight business bad news? After all, three companies might be just enough to spur the kind of innovation that a healthy niche industry needs.Well, that's the problem with so-called jet packs: everything...
[BTW: Here's a piece I did on the original Bell Rocket Belt many moons ago.]
The Inside Story of When Jet Packs Really Are Coming [via] Link
Posted by Gareth Branwyn |
Jan 31, 2008 11:00 AM
Flying, Science |
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| Comments (1)
January 30, 2008
The low-down on BALLS 17
BALLS 17, the premiere experimental rocketry launch contest, has been announced for Sept 26, 27, 28 in Black Rock, Nevada. The event website has details on BALLS 17 and the competition rules.
This is the extreme rocketry event where experimental rocketeers push the envelope of size, staging/clustering, altitude, home-made components and motors, and cutting-edge rocket tech. Not for the faint of heart and not for children. Bring your hard hat.
BALLS 17 - Link
Posted by Gareth Branwyn |
Jan 30, 2008 06:00 PM
Events, Flying, Science |
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What do gold atoms look like?
This is what gold atoms look like and that giant machine is what peered in to the tiny - Link.
Related:
- World’s most powerful transmission electron microscope - Link.
- Plenty of Room at the Bottom, Feynman - Link.
Posted by Phillip Torrone |
Jan 30, 2008 06:00 AM
Imaging, Science |
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| Comments (2)
January 29, 2008
Aerogel - 99.8% air, 100% cool
I have always wanted some Aerogel, and I am not sure why? Maybe just to hold something that is 99.8% air, or to try and figure out something to make with it. NASA seems to have found some uses for the amazing stuff. They have been successful in collecting cosmic dust samples, and insulating the Mars Pathfinder rover.
Aerogel can be very expensive and the prices vary greatly across Internet. Recently I found a relatively low cost supplier. You can get granular samples from United Nuclear for as little as $5. If you purchase a sample and make something cool, don't forget to post it in the MAKE Flickr photo pool. - Link
More information about Aerogel:
Posted by Marc de Vinck |
Jan 29, 2008 04:00 PM
Science |
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Make your own plasma globe
OK, maybe rolling your own vacuum tubes was a bit difficult? Why not start out by trying to make your own plasma globe? It uses an off the shelf 250 mL flask, saving you the difficult glass blowing parts. This isn't a step by step like instructables, but it is a great starting point with a bunch of useful information. It would be a great addition to your Jacobs Ladder- Link
Related Links:
- Make your own vacuum tubes - Link
More Jacob's Ladder links:
Posted by Marc de Vinck |
Jan 29, 2008 12:00 AM
DIY Projects, Electronics, Science |
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January 25, 2008
Film Can Cannon
Aah, explosive thermodynamics have a special way of bringing father and son closer together.
Example - This utilitarian film can launcher Make Flickr member kthxema built with his son Andy. See kids? There's that parental supervision we're always talking about! - Link
further instructions -Link
Related:
(non-combustible) Film Can Cannon -Link
Posted by Collin Cunningham |
Jan 25, 2008 09:30 AM
DIY Projects, Science, Toys and Games |
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| Comments (4)
Lunchbox laboratory creates distributed testing zones
The "Lunchbox Laboratory" a collaboration between Amy Franceschini (of Futurefarmers) and the Biological Sciences Team, National Renewable Energy Lab, is a prototype art project for a distributed research laboratory that allows for young scientists to test collected algae strains. The algae is collected and tested to confirm its function as a renewable energy form that can produce biodiesel to power automobiles and other devices as an alternative to fossil fuels.
Lunchbox Lab - Link
Posted by Jonah Brucker-Cohen |
Jan 25, 2008 06:33 AM
Science |
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January 23, 2008
HALO2 High Altitude Balloon
Another successful high altitude balloon flight with some gorgeous images. Alexei writes:
High altitude ballooning is an emerging hobby, since the price of GPS and communications equipment has gotten quite low. It is an excellent hobby for people fascinated by space flight and telerobotics and has many learning aspects -- from systems design to electronics design to software engineering. There is also an exciting risk factor, namely, that you could lose your precious electronics if something malfunctions. In this project, many of my interest and knowledge areas came together. Also, I have verified that the Earth is indeed round and that space is black.
Helium Balloon Mission to Near-Space - Link
Related:
- Successful High Altitude Balloon! - Link
- High Altitude Ballooning - Make: Video Podcast - Link
- A view from 66,000 feet up - Link
- Satellites on a Budget - High Altitude Balloons - Link
Posted by Gareth Branwyn |
Jan 23, 2008 11:00 AM
Flying, Science |
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January 22, 2008
Terabytes of open-source science data - hosted by Google
Interesting story @ Wired Science about open source science data & Google. I wonder when and if there will be medical open source hardware in there -
Sources at Google have disclosed that the humble domain, http://research.google.com will soon provide a home for terabytes of open-source scientific datasets. The storage will be free to scientists and access to the data will be free for all. The project, known as Palimpsest and previewed to the scientific community at the Science Foo camp at the Googleplex last August, missed its original launch date this week, but will debut soon.Google to Host Terabytes of Open-Source Science Data | Wired Science - [via] Link.Building on the company's acquisition of the data visualization technology, Trendalyzer, from the oft-lauded, TED presenting Gapminder team, Google will also be offering algorithms for the examination and probing of the information. The new site will have YouTube-style annotating and commenting features.
Posted by Phillip Torrone |
Jan 22, 2008 08:00 AM
Online, Science |
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| Comments (1)
Origami spaceplane to launch from space station
First ever paper airplane space flight! I hope they post the file so you can fold up your own, Pink Tentacle writes -
Researchers from the University of Tokyo have teamed up with members of the Japan Origami Airplane Association to develop a paper aircraft capable of surviving the flight from the International Space Station to the Earth’s surface.Origami spaceplane to launch from space station - Link & more (Japanese site).The researchers are scheduled to begin testing the strength and heat resistance of an 8 centimeter (3.1 in) long prototype on January 17 in an ultra-high-speed wind tunnel at the University of Tokyo’s Okashiwa campus (Chiba prefecture). In the tests, the origami glider — which is shaped like the Space Shuttle and has been treated to withstand intense heat — will be subjected to wind speeds of Mach 7, or about 8,600 kilometers (5,300 miles) per hour.
Related:
Paper Airplane Contest - Make: Video Podcast - Link.
Fantastic Flight - Link.
Making a paper airplane a day... for 300 days - Link.
HOW TO - Supercharge a paper airplane - Link.
The Online Paper airplane museum - Link.
Electric paper airplane launcher kit - Link.
Posted by Phillip Torrone |
Jan 22, 2008 02:00 AM
Paper Crafts, Science |
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| Comments (3)
January 17, 2008
The future of science...Is art?
Seed magazine has a great article about the future of science... It's writes -
In the early 1920s, Niels Bohr was struggling to reimagine the structure of matter. Previous generations of physicists had thought the inner space of an atom looked like a miniature solar system with the atomic nucleus as the sun and the whirring electrons as planets in orbit. This was the classical model.Seed: The future of science...Is art? Link.But Bohr had spent time analyzing the radiation emitted by electrons, and he realized that science needed a new metaphor. The behavior of electrons seemed to defy every conventional explanation. As Bohr said, "When it comes to atoms, language can be used only as in poetry." Ordinary words couldn't capture the data.
More:
Posted by Phillip Torrone |
Jan 17, 2008 01:00 AM
Arts, Science |
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January 16, 2008
Bay Area "Yuri's Night" call for artists, scientists
Our pal, and MAKE contributor, Xeni Jardin posted the following on Boing Boing:
Each year, a string of Yuri's Night World Space Parties around the globe celebrate humankind's first foray into space. That first human was Russian Cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin, on April 12, 1961. The events are a lot of fun (I hosted one in Texas, had a blast!), and the 2008 Bay Area edition is calling for artists and scientists -- deadline is February 8.
See the Boing Boing post for more info.
Yuri's Night Bay Area 2008 call for artists, scientists - Link
Posted by Gareth Branwyn |
Jan 16, 2008 08:00 PM
Events, Science |
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Darkest material ever
I'd like a coat made out of this stuff, but that's just me...
In the iconic movie This is Spinal Tap, lead guitarist Nigel Tufnel said of his band's black album cover, "It's like, how much more black could this be? And the answer is none. None more black." He was wrong. A scientist at Rice University has created the darkest material known to man, a carpet of carbon nanotubes that reflects only 0.045 percent of all light shined upon it. That's four times darker than the previously darkest known substance...Rice researchers make a dark discovery - Link.As it absorbs nearly all light, Ajayan said it could be useful in the collection and storage of solar energy. Also, as it minimizes the scatter of stray light, it could improve optical instruments such as telescopes.
Posted by Phillip Torrone |
Jan 16, 2008 12:00 AM
Science |
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| Comments (10)
January 15, 2008
Superconducting Maglev train models
Great video on IFW-Dresden's superconducting magnetic levitation (Maglev) train models - [via] Link.
Posted by Phillip Torrone |
Jan 15, 2008 11:00 AM
News from the Future, Science |
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| Comments (4)
January 14, 2008
Mercury flyby today
Spacecraft Messenger is doing a drive by today on Mercury -
Right around noon today, if all goes as planned, a spacecraft called Messenger will swoop past the planet Mercury and begin two days of unprecedented picture-taking and data-collecting.Mercury flyby - Link.The flyby, the first visit to Mercury in more than 33 years by an emissary from Earth, will mark a key moment in a NASA mission that will ultimately place the first satellite into orbit around the tiny planet that sits closest to the sun.
Posted by Phillip Torrone |
Jan 14, 2008 09:10 AM
Science |
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| Comments (7)
January 9, 2008
HOW TO - Generate and identify random knots in a piece of string
The latest Citizen Scientist has a great article about knots Dorian M. Raymer! -
What governs the annoying formation of random knots in strings, cords, and garden hoses? Mathematicians have studied knots for more than a century, but only in the abstract. As physicists, we have also found this to be an interesting physics problem. What is a knot? How many different knots exist? How do knots form? The word knot has several meanings. Colloquially, a knot refers to a string that is tangled or interlaced with itself or another strand of rope.HOW TO - Generate and identify random knots in a piece of string - Link.
Posted by Phillip Torrone |
Jan 9, 2008 03:00 PM
Science |
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| Comments (2)
DIY Tangible user interface for performing a chemical search by just putting real objects down on a real surface
Andrew writes -
A while back, Roo Reynolds posted about his experiments with Reactivision. Reactivision is a really neat way of building what’re called tangible user interfaces; it’s a bit of software which reads in video being captured by a webcam and tracks the position (and rotation) of special blobs called “fiducial markers”. In other words, it can work out where, in the camera’s field of vision, these objects are, and what way they’re facing.DIY Tangible user interface for performing a chemical search by just putting real objects down on a real surface, thanks Attila! - Link.I’ve mentioned this thing in passing before, actually, but I didn’t think anything more of it at the time. Roo’s post mentioned that the core vision library was open source, though, and there’s a Processing library, so one night on my way home from work, I decided to buy a cheap £20 webcam from Tesco.
Posted by Phillip Torrone |
Jan 9, 2008 06:00 AM
DIY Projects, Science |
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