An engineer’s greatest tool is the writing utensil. Be it pen or pencil, we use them for everything from making diagrams to marking out cuts. But as with any practitioner …read more (https://hackaday.com/2026/10/17/making-a-new-mechanism-for-a-reciprocating-pencil-sharpener/)

Turning a Wi-Fi Adapter into an SDR
https://hackaday.com/2026/10/18/turning-a-wi-fi-adapter-into-an-sdr/

Since the discovery of an undocumented I/Q sampling feature in ESP32 chips about two weeks ago, there’s been a flood of similar features being found in other wireless chips, including …read more (https://hackaday.com/2026/10/18/turning-a-wi-fi-adapter-into-an-sdr/)

Evolving RC circuits
https://hackaday.com/2026/10/18/evolving-rc-circuits/

We are surrounded by evolving algorithms and AI models, and it feels like we have to evolve to them as well. Of course, the world itself is always evolving, and …read more (https://hackaday.com/2026/10/18/evolving-rc-circuits/)

A Plasma Donut
https://hackaday.com/2026/10/18/a-plasma-donut/

We know [The Action Lab] always has something hands-on. This time, the video shows a toroidal plasma demo and how it relates to nuclear fusion. Plasma has a high temperature, …read more (https://hackaday.com/2026/10/18/a-plasma-donut/)

Building a Microscope with a 3D View
https://hackaday.com/2026/10/18/building-a-microscope-with-a-3d-view/

As electronic components grow ever smaller, a microscope has become an increasingly indispensable tool for any fine work; when inspecting electronics, though, especially solder joints, [Corebb] found a top-down view …read more (https://hackaday.com/2026/10/18/building-a-microscope-with-a-3d-view/)

The New Phobos Martian Moon Rover that Weighs in at Only 15 Grams
https://hackaday.com/2026/10/18/the-new-phobos-martian-moon-rover-that-weighs-in-at-only-15-grams/

Although for many decades the planet Mars has been prodded, poked, driven upon, flown over and especially orbited by various spacecraft, landers and rovers sent over by a certain humanoid …read more (https://hackaday.com/2026/10/18/the-new-phobos-martian-moon-rover-that-weighs-in-at-only-15-grams/)

Off-Grid Refrigeration Using Fire and Salt
https://hackaday.com/2026/10/18/off-grid-refrigeration-using-fire-and-salt/

Refrigeration has been a challenge for humanity since the start. Ancient civilizations in dry climates like Persia and Egypt could use evaporative cooling on a large scale with specialized architecture, …read more (https://hackaday.com/2026/10/18/off-grid-refrigeration-using-fire-and-salt/)

Hackaday Links: October 17, 2026
https://hackaday.com/2026/10/18/hackaday-links-october-17-2026/