Force Sensitive Resistors, How Do They Work?
My buddies over at Open Music Labs have posted an excellent tutorial on how Force Sensitive Resistors (FSRs) work, as well as how to use them effectively in circuits.
Technology
EEG on a Smartphone
A group from the Technical University of Denmark cobbled together a portable EEG using an Emotiv EPOC neuroheadset, a wireless dongle, and a Nokia N900 smartphone. Using custom software, the unit will render a real-time OpenGL representation of live data from the headset.
Camera + Turntable + Laser = 360° Scanner
Sebastian Korczak hacked together a 360° rotating 3D scanner using little more than a record turntable modified with Arduino, digital camera, and a laser pointer. Korczak’s laser was mated with a special lens to create a linear beam. The distortion of this beam as it scanned the room coupled with the video data is put into a Python script, which outputs a point cloud of whatever is scanned. In this manner he is able to get full real-time scans of entire rooms. Fortunately for us, he’s provided extensive documentation on his homepage.
Proscribed Printables
Interesting milestone in open-source 3D printing over at Thingiverse: User crank has published a freely-downloadable magazine for the ubiquitous AR-15 rifle. As downloaded, crank’s magazine only holds five rounds, but a person with basic 3D modelling skills could modify it with little difficulty to produce a “high-capacity” magazine. I’m not sure what the current state of law on magazine size limits is, but prior to the sunset of the Federal Assault Weapons Ban (Wikipedia) in 2004, manufacture of an AR-15 magazine with a capacity of more than 10 rounds was an offense.
MakerBot TV at Maker Faire
The latest episode of MakerBot TV is from this weekend’s Faire. As you might image, the focus in on the amazing 3D Village that we had set up there, and MakerBot’s presence at the event. They cover Spazzi, Keepon, and BreBot, and interview MakerBot/3D printing enthusiasts Tristan Juan, Forest Crossman, Luis Rodriguez, and Timmy Chao Li.
Pico Projector + Light Fixture + Free Code = Desktop Spherical Display
Sometimes, I get this feeling like I’ve seen it all – that nothing that comes along is ever going to inspire or delight me the same way that certain ideas, systems, inventions, and/or artworks did when I was younger. It always passes, sooner or later, but while I’m under that spell it can be…well, it can be a bit depressing, honestly. So I feel like I ought to thank International Man of Mystery Nirav Patel, somewhat more personally than usual, for making and sharing this wonderful thing. I am inspired.
MAKE Flickr Pool Weekly Roundup
Highlights from the Flickr pool this week include some great shots from World Maker Faire New York, a fantastic R/C flying wing silhouetted against the sunset, a ladder made from welded rebar, and more! Check it out!