Fail of the Week: Supercapacitor Spot Welder
https://hackaday.com/2019/08/15/fail-of-the-week-supercapacitor-spot-welder/
[Julian] needed to weld a bit of nickel to some steel and decided to use a spot welding technique. Of course he didn’t have a spot welder sitting around. Since these are fairly simple machines so [Julian] set out to build a spot welder using a charged supercapacitor. The fundamentals …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/08/15/fail-of-the-week-supercapacitor-spot-welder/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/08/15/fail-of-the-week-supercapacitor-spot-welder/
[Julian] needed to weld a bit of nickel to some steel and decided to use a spot welding technique. Of course he didn’t have a spot welder sitting around. Since these are fairly simple machines so [Julian] set out to build a spot welder using a charged supercapacitor. The fundamentals …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/08/15/fail-of-the-week-supercapacitor-spot-welder/)
Spain’s First Open Source Satellite
https://hackaday.com/2019/08/15/spains-first-open-source-satellite/
[Fossa Systems], a non-profit youth association based out of Madrid, is developing an open-source satellite set to launch in October 2019. The FossaSat-1 is sized at 5x5x5 cm, weighs 250g, and will provide free IoT connectivity by communicating LoRa RTTY signals through low-power RF-based LoRa modules. The satellite is powered …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/08/15/spains-first-open-source-satellite/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/08/15/spains-first-open-source-satellite/
[Fossa Systems], a non-profit youth association based out of Madrid, is developing an open-source satellite set to launch in October 2019. The FossaSat-1 is sized at 5x5x5 cm, weighs 250g, and will provide free IoT connectivity by communicating LoRa RTTY signals through low-power RF-based LoRa modules. The satellite is powered …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/08/15/spains-first-open-source-satellite/)
Home Automation At A Glance Using AI Glasses
https://hackaday.com/2019/08/15/home-automation-at-a-glance-using-ai-glasses/
There was a time when you had to get up from the couch to change the channel on your TV. But then came the remote control, which saved us from having to move our legs. Later still we got electronic assistants from the likes of Amazon and Google which allowed …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/08/15/home-automation-at-a-glance-using-ai-glasses/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/08/15/home-automation-at-a-glance-using-ai-glasses/
There was a time when you had to get up from the couch to change the channel on your TV. But then came the remote control, which saved us from having to move our legs. Later still we got electronic assistants from the likes of Amazon and Google which allowed …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/08/15/home-automation-at-a-glance-using-ai-glasses/)
Bike-Mounted Synthetic-Aperture Radar Makes Detailed Images
https://hackaday.com/2019/08/15/bike-mounted-synthetic-aperture-radar-makes-detailed-images/
Synthetic-aperture radar, in which a moving radar is used to simulate a very large antenna and obtain high-resolution images, is typically not the stuff of hobbyists. Nobody told that to [Henrik Forstén], though, and so we’ve got this bicycle-mounted synthetic-aperture radar project to marvel over as a result.
Neither the …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/08/15/bike-mounted-synthetic-aperture-radar-makes-detailed-images/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/08/15/bike-mounted-synthetic-aperture-radar-makes-detailed-images/
Synthetic-aperture radar, in which a moving radar is used to simulate a very large antenna and obtain high-resolution images, is typically not the stuff of hobbyists. Nobody told that to [Henrik Forstén], though, and so we’ve got this bicycle-mounted synthetic-aperture radar project to marvel over as a result.
Neither the …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/08/15/bike-mounted-synthetic-aperture-radar-makes-detailed-images/)
LED Driver Board Could Be Your Ticket To FPGA Development
https://hackaday.com/2019/08/15/led-driver-board-could-be-your-ticket-to-fpga-development/
Microcontrollers are a great way to learn about developing for embedded systems. However, once you outgrow their capabilities, FPGAs bring muscle that’s hard for even the fastest-clocked micros to match. If you’re doing anything with high-speed signals, loads of RAM, or something that requires lots of parallel calculation, you can’t …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/08/15/led-driver-board-could-be-your-ticket-to-fpga-development/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/08/15/led-driver-board-could-be-your-ticket-to-fpga-development/
Microcontrollers are a great way to learn about developing for embedded systems. However, once you outgrow their capabilities, FPGAs bring muscle that’s hard for even the fastest-clocked micros to match. If you’re doing anything with high-speed signals, loads of RAM, or something that requires lots of parallel calculation, you can’t …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/08/15/led-driver-board-could-be-your-ticket-to-fpga-development/)
Fire Breathing N64 Puts Blast Processing In The Shade
https://hackaday.com/2019/08/15/fire-breathing-n64-puts-blast-processing-in-the-shade/
Consoles over the years have innovated, bringing new features and experiences with each subsequent generation. Rumble, motion controls and more recently VR have all come to the fore as companies vie for supremacy in the marketplace. Nobody’s really had the guts to tackle fire, though. Until now.
The build is …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/08/15/fire-breathing-n64-puts-blast-processing-in-the-shade/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/08/15/fire-breathing-n64-puts-blast-processing-in-the-shade/
Consoles over the years have innovated, bringing new features and experiences with each subsequent generation. Rumble, motion controls and more recently VR have all come to the fore as companies vie for supremacy in the marketplace. Nobody’s really had the guts to tackle fire, though. Until now.
The build is …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/08/15/fire-breathing-n64-puts-blast-processing-in-the-shade/)
Turning A Sony into a Leica Through Extreme Camera Modding
https://hackaday.com/2019/08/16/turning-a-sony-into-a-leica-through-extreme-camera-modding/
The quality of a photograph is a subjective measure depending upon a multitude of factors of which the calibre of the camera is only one. Yet a high quality camera remains an object of desire for many photographers as it says something about you and not just about the photos …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/08/16/turning-a-sony-into-a-leica-through-extreme-camera-modding/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/08/16/turning-a-sony-into-a-leica-through-extreme-camera-modding/
The quality of a photograph is a subjective measure depending upon a multitude of factors of which the calibre of the camera is only one. Yet a high quality camera remains an object of desire for many photographers as it says something about you and not just about the photos …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/08/16/turning-a-sony-into-a-leica-through-extreme-camera-modding/)
Electric Vehicles on Ice
https://hackaday.com/2019/08/16/electric-vehicles-on-ice/
This winter, a group of electric vehicle enthusiasts, including [Dane Kouttron], raced their homemade electric go-karts on the semi-frozen tundra nearby as part of their annual winter tradition. These vehicles are appropriately named Atomic Thing and Doom Sled, and need perfect weather conditions to really put them to the test. …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/08/16/electric-vehicles-on-ice/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/08/16/electric-vehicles-on-ice/
This winter, a group of electric vehicle enthusiasts, including [Dane Kouttron], raced their homemade electric go-karts on the semi-frozen tundra nearby as part of their annual winter tradition. These vehicles are appropriately named Atomic Thing and Doom Sled, and need perfect weather conditions to really put them to the test. …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/08/16/electric-vehicles-on-ice/)
This Week in Security: Black Hat, DEF CON, and Patch Tuesday
https://hackaday.com/2019/08/16/this-week-in-security-black-hat-def-con-and-patch-tuesday/
Blackhat and DEF CON both just wrapped, and Patch Tuesday was this week. We have a bunch of stories to cover today.
First some light-hearted shenanigans. Obviously inspired by Little Bobby Tables, Droogie applied for the vanity plate “NULL”. A year went by without any problems, but soon enough it …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/08/16/this-week-in-security-black-hat-def-con-and-patch-tuesday/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/08/16/this-week-in-security-black-hat-def-con-and-patch-tuesday/
Blackhat and DEF CON both just wrapped, and Patch Tuesday was this week. We have a bunch of stories to cover today.
First some light-hearted shenanigans. Obviously inspired by Little Bobby Tables, Droogie applied for the vanity plate “NULL”. A year went by without any problems, but soon enough it …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/08/16/this-week-in-security-black-hat-def-con-and-patch-tuesday/)
Broken HP-48 Calculator Reborn As Bluetooth Keyboard
https://hackaday.com/2019/08/16/broken-hp-48-calculator-reborn-as-bluetooth-keyboard/
Considering their hardware specification, graphing calculators surely feel like an anachronism in 2019. There are plenty of apps and other software available for that nowadays, and despite all preaching by our teachers, we actually do carry calculators with us every day. On the other hand, never underestimate the power of …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/08/16/broken-hp-48-calculator-reborn-as-bluetooth-keyboard/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/08/16/broken-hp-48-calculator-reborn-as-bluetooth-keyboard/
Considering their hardware specification, graphing calculators surely feel like an anachronism in 2019. There are plenty of apps and other software available for that nowadays, and despite all preaching by our teachers, we actually do carry calculators with us every day. On the other hand, never underestimate the power of …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/08/16/broken-hp-48-calculator-reborn-as-bluetooth-keyboard/)
Hackaday Podcast 031: Holonomic Drives, Badges of DEF CON, We Don’t Do On-Chip Debugging, and Small Run Manufacturing Snafus
https://hackaday.com/2019/08/16/hackaday-podcast-031-holonomic-drives-badges-of-def-con-we-dont-do-on-chip-debugging-and-small-run-manufacturing-snafus/
Mike Szczys and Kerry Scharfglass recorded this week’s podcast live from DEF CON. Among the many topics of discussion, we explore some of the more interesting ways to move a robot. From BB-8 to Holonomic Drives, Kerry’s hoping to have a proof of concept in time for Supercon. Are you …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/08/16/hackaday-podcast-031-holonomic-drives-badges-of-def-con-we-dont-do-on-chip-debugging-and-small-run-manufacturing-snafus/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/08/16/hackaday-podcast-031-holonomic-drives-badges-of-def-con-we-dont-do-on-chip-debugging-and-small-run-manufacturing-snafus/
Mike Szczys and Kerry Scharfglass recorded this week’s podcast live from DEF CON. Among the many topics of discussion, we explore some of the more interesting ways to move a robot. From BB-8 to Holonomic Drives, Kerry’s hoping to have a proof of concept in time for Supercon. Are you …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/08/16/hackaday-podcast-031-holonomic-drives-badges-of-def-con-we-dont-do-on-chip-debugging-and-small-run-manufacturing-snafus/)
Hands-On: Queercon 16 Hardware Badge Shows Off Custom Membrane Keyboard
https://hackaday.com/2019/08/16/hands-on-queercon-16-hardware-badge-shows-off-custom-membrane-keyboard/
Year over year, the Queercon badge is consistently impressive. I think what’s most impressive about these badges is that they seemingly throw out all design ideas from the previous year and start anew, yet manage to discover a unique and addictive aesthetic every single time.
This year, there are two …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/08/16/hands-on-queercon-16-hardware-badge-shows-off-custom-membrane-keyboard/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/08/16/hands-on-queercon-16-hardware-badge-shows-off-custom-membrane-keyboard/
Year over year, the Queercon badge is consistently impressive. I think what’s most impressive about these badges is that they seemingly throw out all design ideas from the previous year and start anew, yet manage to discover a unique and addictive aesthetic every single time.
This year, there are two …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/08/16/hands-on-queercon-16-hardware-badge-shows-off-custom-membrane-keyboard/)
You Need a Cyberdeck, this Board Will Help
https://hackaday.com/2019/08/16/you-need-a-cyberdeck-this-board-will-help/
In 1984, William Gibson’s novel Neuromancer helped kick off the cyberpunk genre that many hackers have been delighting in ever since. Years before Tim Berners-Lee created the World Wide Web, Gibson was imagining worldwide computer networks and omnipresent artificial intelligence. One of his most famous fictional creations is the cyberdeck, …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/08/16/you-need-a-cyberdeck-this-board-will-help/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/08/16/you-need-a-cyberdeck-this-board-will-help/
In 1984, William Gibson’s novel Neuromancer helped kick off the cyberpunk genre that many hackers have been delighting in ever since. Years before Tim Berners-Lee created the World Wide Web, Gibson was imagining worldwide computer networks and omnipresent artificial intelligence. One of his most famous fictional creations is the cyberdeck, …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/08/16/you-need-a-cyberdeck-this-board-will-help/)
Cramming Dual SIMs & A Micro SD Card Into Your Phone
https://hackaday.com/2019/08/16/cramming-dual-sims-a-micro-sd-card-into-your-phone/
There are plenty of dual SIM phones on the market these days, but most of them are a hamstrung by packaging issues. Despite their dual SIM capability, this usually comes at the expense of the microSD card slot. Of course, hackers don’t accept such nonsense, and [Tweepy] went about crafting …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/08/16/cramming-dual-sims-a-micro-sd-card-into-your-phone/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/08/16/cramming-dual-sims-a-micro-sd-card-into-your-phone/
There are plenty of dual SIM phones on the market these days, but most of them are a hamstrung by packaging issues. Despite their dual SIM capability, this usually comes at the expense of the microSD card slot. Of course, hackers don’t accept such nonsense, and [Tweepy] went about crafting …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/08/16/cramming-dual-sims-a-micro-sd-card-into-your-phone/)
A Real All-In-One Printer Should Have a Computer In It, Too
https://hackaday.com/2019/08/16/a-real-all-in-one-printer-should-have-a-computer-in-it-too/
With printers generally being cheaper to replace than re-ink, there are plenty of cast-offs around to play with. They’re a great source for parts, but they’re also tempting targets for repurposing for entirely new uses. Sure, you could make a printer into a planter, but slightly more useful is this …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/08/16/a-real-all-in-one-printer-should-have-a-computer-in-it-too/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/08/16/a-real-all-in-one-printer-should-have-a-computer-in-it-too/
With printers generally being cheaper to replace than re-ink, there are plenty of cast-offs around to play with. They’re a great source for parts, but they’re also tempting targets for repurposing for entirely new uses. Sure, you could make a printer into a planter, but slightly more useful is this …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/08/16/a-real-all-in-one-printer-should-have-a-computer-in-it-too/)
An (Almost) Free Apollo-Era Rocket
https://hackaday.com/2019/08/16/an-almost-free-apollo-era-rocket/
According to recent news reports, NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville Alabama wants to give away a piece of history — an engineering test article of a Saturn I Block I booster. The catch? You’ll need to pay to haul it off, which will cost about $250,000. According to …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/08/16/an-almost-free-apollo-era-rocket/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/08/16/an-almost-free-apollo-era-rocket/
According to recent news reports, NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville Alabama wants to give away a piece of history — an engineering test article of a Saturn I Block I booster. The catch? You’ll need to pay to haul it off, which will cost about $250,000. According to …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/08/16/an-almost-free-apollo-era-rocket/)
Cruising GitHub For Slack Webhook Tokens
https://hackaday.com/2019/08/16/cruising-github-for-slack-webhook-tokens/
GitHub is an incredibly powerful tool for sharing source code, and its value to the modern hacker can’t be overstated. But there’s at least one downside to effortlessly sharing your source: it’s now much easier for the whole world to find out when you screw up. Back in the day, …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/08/16/cruising-github-for-slack-webhook-tokens/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/08/16/cruising-github-for-slack-webhook-tokens/
GitHub is an incredibly powerful tool for sharing source code, and its value to the modern hacker can’t be overstated. But there’s at least one downside to effortlessly sharing your source: it’s now much easier for the whole world to find out when you screw up. Back in the day, …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/08/16/cruising-github-for-slack-webhook-tokens/)
Perfecting a Bluetooth N64 Controller
https://hackaday.com/2019/08/17/perfecting-a-bluetooth-n64-controller/
Love it or hate it, the Nintendo 64 controller doesn’t seem to be going anywhere. Dedicated fans are still looking for ways to use the unique trilobed controller with modern systems, and they won’t be satisfied until they perfectly replicate the original experience. [Shyri Villar] has been working on perfecting …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/08/17/perfecting-a-bluetooth-n64-controller/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/08/17/perfecting-a-bluetooth-n64-controller/
Love it or hate it, the Nintendo 64 controller doesn’t seem to be going anywhere. Dedicated fans are still looking for ways to use the unique trilobed controller with modern systems, and they won’t be satisfied until they perfectly replicate the original experience. [Shyri Villar] has been working on perfecting …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/08/17/perfecting-a-bluetooth-n64-controller/)
A Custom Milled Jig for Smart Bulb Programming
https://hackaday.com/2019/08/17/a-custom-milled-jig-for-smart-bulb-programming/
Who would have thought that some day we’d need programming jigs for our light bulbs? But progress marches on, and as there’s currently a number of affordable Internet-controlled bulbs powered by the ESP8266 on the market, we’re at the point where a tool to help update the firmware on the …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/08/17/a-custom-milled-jig-for-smart-bulb-programming/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/08/17/a-custom-milled-jig-for-smart-bulb-programming/
Who would have thought that some day we’d need programming jigs for our light bulbs? But progress marches on, and as there’s currently a number of affordable Internet-controlled bulbs powered by the ESP8266 on the market, we’re at the point where a tool to help update the firmware on the …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/08/17/a-custom-milled-jig-for-smart-bulb-programming/)
MIDI Harp Looks Pretty Sharp
https://hackaday.com/2019/08/17/midi-harp-looks-pretty-sharp/
[Julien] is one of those cool dads who shows his love with time invested rather than money spent. His daughter plays the harp, and you would not believe the price of concert harps. Even the cheap ones are several thousand USD. So naturally, he decided he would build her a …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/08/17/midi-harp-looks-pretty-sharp/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/08/17/midi-harp-looks-pretty-sharp/
[Julien] is one of those cool dads who shows his love with time invested rather than money spent. His daughter plays the harp, and you would not believe the price of concert harps. Even the cheap ones are several thousand USD. So naturally, he decided he would build her a …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/08/17/midi-harp-looks-pretty-sharp/)