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Introduction to Speakers

Piezoelectric speaker

What you see in the picture above is a piezoelectric speaker – a tiny, electrically controlled diaphragm. On the back is a small crystal. When there is power flowing through the crystal, the size changes, bending the diaphragm. The change in the diaphragm is what causes sound and music as we know it. Today, let’s go through how we can make music with a piezo and Arduino.

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News

Patrick Litchy’s Multicolor style

Patrick is an artist of some renown, and on his way to Transmediale in Berlin he shared on his blog the secret of the unique Makelangelo coloring scheme he invented for his pictures of random internet cats.

Patrick Litchy cat

Read about it here.

Patrick! Should we build “Litchy style” right into the Makelangelo?

News

Big Mess of Wires, the DIY 8-bit CPU

Big Mess Of Wires

If you ever get sick of modern computers, you can always restart from scratch and build your own CPU. There’s even a group of enthusiasts online who do that just for fun. They’re so fond of old tech they still have a web ring. Hello, 1995!  You make me feel young again.

I think my favorite part of Steve’s incredible work is this quote from his project goals: “Keep the hardware complexity to a minimum. I’m not an electrical engineer.”  Which is funny, because the voices in my head say “I couldn’t do that even if I was an electrical engineer.” and then “Not with that attitude.”  Steve is a great example of willpower put into action, my friends.  On a long enough timeline that’s all it takes, like Andy Dufrane digging that tunnel in <i>The Shawshank Redemption</i> or going to the moon.

For all the schematics, design plans, and encouragement check out The Big Mess Of Wires.

News

Miniature hydraulic quad walker

Ingo with Modell Technik Hausl in Germany built this drool-worthy quad walker. I wonder if it’s made with parts from 1:14 scale RC construction vehicles?

All I know is I want to take apart six of those construction backhoes and use the digging arms to make a hydraulic crab walker.

News

January 2015 class: Arduino + RFID

Sign up now for my first class of 2015: learning RFID.

10 early birds and 5 late comers will get to explore our Arduino RFID starter kit. It included all kinds of goodies to put together and play with. There’s enough parts in here to automate your home aquaponics system or build a really tiny game of Tetris. sensors, joysticks, noise makers, motors, lights, and more.

Some programming knowledge and your own laptop are required. Please have Arduino software installed before arrival to save everyone time.

Find all the details on Eventbright.