Science

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!

Real Virtual Car

Real Virtual Car

virtcar.jpgOne is a mechanical genius, the other is a platform game hacker. They decided to join forces and turn a racked car into a simulation. They connected the car’s pedals, steering, gearshaft, to the game platform. It’s on hydraulics to turn the car in curves, there’s a fan to increase the wind when the speed is going up, and they install a small engine to make the sounds. Even the gauges work! Link.

Malibu Car PC

Malibu Car PC

car_pc.jpgVery cool in car PC project- Aydiosmio writes “So, for the longest time, putting a PC in the place I spend about 2 hours every day has been a goal of mine. I finally got up the gusto to do it. My 01′ Malibu presents, the Car PC…” The project uses Media Engine on the touch screen that can control audio, video, DVD, FM, XM, and GPS (via Destinator). Nice work! Link.

DIY DNA Explorer Kit

DIY DNA Explorer Kit

dna.jpgThis DNA kit is for kids, but might be fun for all ages (and for some potential projects). It says you can view and map real DNA, do experiments as well as extract DNA from vegetables. It comes with a Centrifuge, mixer, electrophoresis chamber and other parts to perform the tests. Some bad news for Canadians, two of the 10 experiments included in the kit require the “Lambda DNA” which does not ship to Canada. Link.

DIY Pioneer Aux Input (MP3 to Car)

DIY Pioneer Aux Input (MP3 to Car)

mp3car.jpgGreat project to add your MP3 player to your car (Cool MAKE Photo too!) “Over the past couple of years I have upgraded my Pioneer Car CD changer to meet my needs. I went from a 6CD to a 12CD and now I have a portable MP3 player I want to connect. Pioneer offers an auxiliary adapter (CDRB-10) for ~$40 or an iPod adapter (CD-IB100) for ~$130. The auxiliary adapter appears to be a simple input-to-RCA-out, so I decided to make an aux adapter myself for ~$6. A quick tally of the cost of the parts listed is ~$12 bucks but you’ll have plenty of wire for your future projects and an extra stereo jack“. Link.

The Science of Cooking

The Science of Cooking

bread.jpgExploratorium, the museum of science, art and human perception has a cool section called “The Science of Cooking” with all sorts of interesting things about food and cooking for Makers. Discover how a pinch of curiosity can improve your cooking! Explore recipes, activities, and Webcasts that will enhance your understanding of the science behind food and cooking. Link. Also check out Cooking for Engineers here.