MAKE » Category: Energy

Tool Review: BioLite CampStove

Keith Hammond — Tue, 07 May 2013 13:13:52 +0000

We're impressed with the BioLite CampStove, a fan-stoked, twig-fueled rocket stove with a thermoelectric module that converts heat into electricity to charge your cell phone or other device.

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The Simplest DC Motor in the World?

Michael Colombo — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 20:17:16 +0000

AA battery + coil of wire + neodymium magnets = DC Motor!

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Mass Generator Works as a Gravity Battery

John Baichtal — Wed, 20 Mar 2013 16:00:55 +0000

While not terribly practical for outputting large amounts of electricity, this “gravity battery” demonstrated by YouTube guru MrTeslonian shows a fun way of generating electricity. In his video he mentions a 25′ version with a pair of water-filled jugs, and when one jug hits the bottom, a pump is triggered […]

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Lime Jello Fuel Cell

John Baichtal — Wed, 13 Mar 2013 15:30:43 +0000

This fun instructable by egbertfitzwilly shows how to make a microbial fuel cell out of jello, yeast, and carbon paper. Here’s how it works, we’re going to mix a little Jello brand Instant Gelatin with some Fleischmann’s Active Yeast and a few drops of plant food. Once that solidifies we’re […]

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Making It Through The Blizzard of 2013

Brian Jepson — Sun, 17 Feb 2013 02:08:29 +0000

Like many people in Southern New England, we were hit pretty hard by the Blizzard of 2013. Not only did we lose power for three days, but our road was blocked by fallen trees (cutting our supply lines), and our natural gas heater won’t fire without power, so we had to figure out how to get through those three days. Here's how we used an ad-hoc solar power system, wood stove, and some snow shoveling to keep warm, fed, and charged up.

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Signs Made From E-Waste

Nick Normal — Wed, 23 Jan 2013 00:40:14 +0000

Built for an e-waste design competition, Istanbul-based designer Yasemin Artut made these "E-letter" signs for Kadir Has University.

U.S. Manufacturing: Cheaper and Greener?

Stett Holbrook — Thu, 17 Jan 2013 20:06:17 +0000

Lean, or "just-in-time" manufacturing can save companies money. But can it help cool a warming planet? Elroy's Rob Honeycutt says yes.

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Toolsday Hangout on Air, Live and Online Today at 2pm PST/5pm EST

Eric Weinhoffer — Tue, 15 Jan 2013 20:10:52 +0000

Today is Toolsday here at MAKE, so you know what that means - a live Google+ hangout where we will be discussing our favorite tools and workspace essentials. The main topic of the hangout will be power, in various forms. We'll discuss a few of the many possible ways to power your projects, whether it's with a homemade bench-top supply, a solar panel hanging out of your window, or a kit like the Mintyboost.

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Ford Transit Connect Profile: Kevin Hornby

Stett Holbrook — Fri, 04 Jan 2013 18:00:22 +0000

Ford has partnered with MAKE to profile owners of the Transit Connect, a small van that offers makers and creative types rooms to modify the vehicle to suit their passions and personal pursuits. In this series, we’ll be profiling Transit Connect enthusiasts and how they’ve customized their vans.

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Today on Food Makers: “Long Way on a Little” Author Shannon Hayes

Stett Holbrook — Wed, 19 Dec 2012 17:25:20 +0000

On the last Food Makers episode of the year, I'll be chatting with author and grassfed beef rancher Shannon Hayes about her new book Long Way on a Little, a decidedly pro-(grassfed) beef cookbook and overall guide to healthy, self-sufficient living. Tune in on MAKE's Google+ page at 2pm PST and 5pm EST.