250 lines
74 KiB
Plaintext
Executable File
250 lines
74 KiB
Plaintext
Executable File
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";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:0:"";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:0;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:7:{s:0:"";a:7:{s:5:"title";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:35:"Taking a Spirograph Mill for a Spin";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:0:"";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:0;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"link";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:68:"https://hackaday.com/2024/08/31/taking-a-spirograph-mill-for-a-spin/";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:0:"";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:0;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:8:"comments";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:76:"https://hackaday.com/2024/08/31/taking-a-spirograph-mill-for-a-spin/#respond";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:0:"";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:0;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:7:"pubDate";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"Sat, 31 Aug 2024 17:00:03 +0000";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:0:"";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:0;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:8:"category";a:5:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:13:"classic hacks";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:0:"";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:0;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}i:1;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:9:"Toy Hacks";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:0:"";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:0;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}i:2;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:5:"gears";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:0:"";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:0;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}i:3;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:4:"mill";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:0:"";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:0;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}i:4;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:10:"spirograph";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:0:"";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:0;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"guid";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:30:"https://hackaday.com/?p=704833";s:7:"attribs";a:1:{s:0:"";a:1:{s:11:"isPermaLink";s:5:"false";}}s:8:"xml_base";s:0:"";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:0;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:11:"description";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:2885:"<div><img width="800" height="450" src="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/What-Happens-When-You-Use-a-Kids-Toy-on-a-Milling-Machine-YouTube-0-12-56.jpeg?w=800" class="attachment-large size-large wp-post-image" alt="A milling machine with an attached pantograph following the various intricate patterns of a spirograph on the bench next to it. The spirograph is a series of acrylic gears and brass connecting bars mounted on a wooden base." style="margin: 0 auto; margin-bottom: 15px;" decoding="async" fetchpriority="high" srcset="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/What-Happens-When-You-Use-a-Kids-Toy-on-a-Milling-Machine-YouTube-0-12-56.jpeg 1920w, https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/What-Happens-When-You-Use-a-Kids-Toy-on-a-Milling-Machine-YouTube-0-12-56.jpeg?resize=250,141 250w, https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/What-Happens-When-You-Use-a-Kids-Toy-on-a-Milling-Machine-YouTube-0-12-56.jpeg?resize=400,225 400w, https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/What-Happens-When-You-Use-a-Kids-Toy-on-a-Milling-Machine-YouTube-0-12-56.jpeg?resize=800,450 800w, https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/What-Happens-When-You-Use-a-Kids-Toy-on-a-Milling-Machine-YouTube-0-12-56.jpeg?resize=1536,864 1536w" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" data-attachment-id="705022" data-permalink="https://hackaday.com/2024/08/31/taking-a-spirograph-mill-for-a-spin/what-happens-when-you-use-a-kids-toy-on-a-milling-machine-youtube-0-12-56/" data-orig-file="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/What-Happens-When-You-Use-a-Kids-Toy-on-a-Milling-Machine-YouTube-0-12-56.jpeg" data-orig-size="1920,1080" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="What Happens When You Use a Kids Toy on a Milling Machine – YouTube – 0-12-56" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/What-Happens-When-You-Use-a-Kids-Toy-on-a-Milling-Machine-YouTube-0-12-56.jpeg?w=400" data-large-file="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/What-Happens-When-You-Use-a-Kids-Toy-on-a-Milling-Machine-YouTube-0-12-56.jpeg?w=800" tabindex="0" role="button" /></div>Spirographs can make some pretty groovy designs on paper, but what if you want to take it a step further? [Uri Tuchman] has used the pantograph on his milling machine <a href="https://hackaday.com/2024/08/31/taking-a-spirograph-mill-for-a-spin/" class="read-more">…read more</a>";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:0:"";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:0;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:32:"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/";a:1:{s:7:"creator";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:13:"Navarre Bartz";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:0:"";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:0;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:40:"http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/";a:1:{s:7:"encoded";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:4510:"<div><img width="800" height="450" src="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/What-Happens-When-You-Use-a-Kids-Toy-on-a-Milling-Machine-YouTube-0-12-56.jpeg?w=800" class="attachment-large size-large wp-post-image" alt="A milling machine with an attached pantograph following the various intricate patterns of a spirograph on the bench next to it. The spirograph is a series of acrylic gears and brass connecting bars mounted on a wooden base." style="margin: 0 auto; margin-bottom: 15px;" decoding="async" srcset="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/What-Happens-When-You-Use-a-Kids-Toy-on-a-Milling-Machine-YouTube-0-12-56.jpeg 1920w, https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/What-Happens-When-You-Use-a-Kids-Toy-on-a-Milling-Machine-YouTube-0-12-56.jpeg?resize=250,141 250w, https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/What-Happens-When-You-Use-a-Kids-Toy-on-a-Milling-Machine-YouTube-0-12-56.jpeg?resize=400,225 400w, https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/What-Happens-When-You-Use-a-Kids-Toy-on-a-Milling-Machine-YouTube-0-12-56.jpeg?resize=800,450 800w, https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/What-Happens-When-You-Use-a-Kids-Toy-on-a-Milling-Machine-YouTube-0-12-56.jpeg?resize=1536,864 1536w" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" data-attachment-id="705022" data-permalink="https://hackaday.com/2024/08/31/taking-a-spirograph-mill-for-a-spin/what-happens-when-you-use-a-kids-toy-on-a-milling-machine-youtube-0-12-56/" data-orig-file="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/What-Happens-When-You-Use-a-Kids-Toy-on-a-Milling-Machine-YouTube-0-12-56.jpeg" data-orig-size="1920,1080" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="What Happens When You Use a Kids Toy on a Milling Machine – YouTube – 0-12-56" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/What-Happens-When-You-Use-a-Kids-Toy-on-a-Milling-Machine-YouTube-0-12-56.jpeg?w=400" data-large-file="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/What-Happens-When-You-Use-a-Kids-Toy-on-a-Milling-Machine-YouTube-0-12-56.jpeg?w=800" tabindex="0" role="button" /></div><p>Spirographs can make some pretty groovy designs on paper, but what if you want to take it a step further? [Uri Tuchman] has used the pantograph on his milling machine to <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DJUZ8Xv4QRc" target="_blank">duplicate the effect in harder materials</a>.</p>
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<p>[Tuchman] starts with a quick proof-of-concept using an actual plastic Spirograph toy to make sure it isn’t a totally unworkable idea. Unsurprisingly, the plastic is too flexible to give a highly detailed result on the MDF test piece, so he laser cut an acrylic version as the next prototype. This provided much better stiffness, but he needed to adjust gear ratios and ergonomics to make the device more usable.</p>
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<p>The final iteration uses a combination of laser cut acrylic and machined brass components to increase rigidity where needed. A hand-turned knob for the crank adds a classy touch, as does the “Spiromatic 2000” brass plate affixed to the wooden base of the mechanism.</p>
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<p>This isn’t the first spirograph-related project we’ve seen. How about one made of <a href="https://hackaday.com/2017/06/29/making-spirographs-with-lego-and-math/">LEGO Mindstorms</a>, another <a href="https://hackaday.com/2021/12/10/arduino-drives-faux-spirograph/">using Arduino</a>, or one that makes these <a href="https://hackaday.com/2023/06/05/op-amp-contest-generate-spirograph-shapes-using-only-op-amps-and-math/">patterns on your oscilloscope</a>?</p>
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<p><span id="more-704833"></span></p>
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<p><iframe title="What Happens When You Use a Kids Toy on a Milling Machine" width="800" height="450" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/DJUZ8Xv4QRc?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe></p>
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<p>Thanks to [DjBiohazard] for the tip!</p>
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But they have a rich <a href="https://hackaday.com/2024/08/31/make-your-own-point-contact-transistor/" class="read-more">…read more</a>";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:0:"";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:0;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:32:"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/";a:1:{s:7:"creator";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:10:"Jenny List";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:0:"";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:0;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:40:"http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/";a:1:{s:7:"encoded";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:4086:"<div><img width="800" height="450" src="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/point-contact-featured.jpg?w=800" class="attachment-large size-large wp-post-image" alt="" style="margin: 0 auto; margin-bottom: 15px;" decoding="async" loading="lazy" srcset="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/point-contact-featured.jpg 800w, https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/point-contact-featured.jpg?resize=250,141 250w, https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/point-contact-featured.jpg?resize=400,225 400w" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" data-attachment-id="704971" data-permalink="https://hackaday.com/2024/08/31/make-your-own-point-contact-transistor/point-contact-featured/" data-orig-file="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/point-contact-featured.jpg" data-orig-size="800,450" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="point-contact-featured" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/point-contact-featured.jpg?w=400" data-large-file="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/point-contact-featured.jpg?w=800" tabindex="0" role="button" /></div><p>Beyond the power variant, it sometimes seems as though we rarely encounter a discrete transistor these days, such has been the advance of integrated electronics. But they have a rich history, going back through the silicon era to germanium junction transistors, and thence to the original devices. if you’ve ever looked at the symbol for a transistor and wondered what it represents, it’s a picture of those earliest transistors, which were point contact devices. A piece of germanium as the base had two metal electrodes touching it as the emitter or collector, and as [Marcin Marciniak] shows us, <a href="https://www.elektroda.pl/rtvforum/topic4066672.html" target="_blank">you can make one yourself</a> (Polish language, <a href="https://www-elektroda-pl.translate.goog/rtvforum/topic4066672.html?_x_tr_sl=auto&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=nl&_x_tr_hist=true" target="_blank">Google Translate link</a>).</p>
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<p>These home made transistors sacrifice a point contact diode to get the small chip of germanium, and form the other two electrodes with metal foil glued to paper. Given that germanium point contact diodes are themselves a rarity these days we’re guessing that some of you will be wincing at that. The video below is in Polish so you’ll have to enable YouTube’s translation if you’re an Anglophone — but we understand that the contact has to be made by passing a current through it, and is then secured with a drop of beeswax.</p>
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<p>A slight surprise comes in how point contact transistors are used, unlike today’s devices their gain in common emitter mode was so poor that they took instead a common base configuration. There’s a picture of a project using three of them, a very period radio receiver with bulky transformers between all stages.</p>
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<p>If you’re interested in more tales of home made early transistors, <a href="https://hackaday.com/2016/02/15/do-you-know-rufus-turner/">read our feature on Rufus Turner</a>.</p>
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<p><span id="more-704957"></span></p>
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<p><iframe loading="lazy" title="Prosto z labu - samodzielnie wykonany tranzystor ostrzowy (point-contact transistor)" width="800" height="450" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/cMxjU2ytlek?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe></p>
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<p>Thanks [Dr.Q.] for the tip.</p>
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";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:0:"";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:0;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:7:{s:0:"";a:7:{s:5:"title";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:46:"Universal Power Bank Customized To Your Liking";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:0:"";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:0;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"link";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:79:"https://hackaday.com/2024/08/31/universal-power-bank-customized-to-your-liking/";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:0:"";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:0;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:8:"comments";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:88:"https://hackaday.com/2024/08/31/universal-power-bank-customized-to-your-liking/#comments";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:0:"";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:0;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:7:"pubDate";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"Sat, 31 Aug 2024 11:00:00 +0000";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:0:"";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:0;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:8:"category";a:11:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:13:"Battery Hacks";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:0:"";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:0;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}i:1;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:7:"battery";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:0:"";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:0;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}i:2;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:12:"battery bank";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:0:"";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:0;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}i:3;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:6:"charge";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:0:"";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:0;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}i:4;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:11:"open source";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:0:"";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:0;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}i:5;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:5:"power";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:0:"";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:0;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}i:6;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:10:"power bank";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:0:"";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:0;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}i:7;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:5:"solar";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:0:"";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:0;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}i:8;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:3:"usb";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:0:"";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:0;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}i:9;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:5:"USB C";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:0:"";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:0;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}i:10;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:5:"usb-a";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:0:"";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:0;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"guid";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:30:"https://hackaday.com/?p=704942";s:7:"attribs";a:1:{s:0:"";a:1:{s:11:"isPermaLink";s:5:"false";}}s:8:"xml_base";s:0:"";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:0;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:11:"description";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:1945:"<div><img width="800" height="600" src="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/power-bank-main.jpg?w=800" class="attachment-large size-large wp-post-image" alt="" style="margin: 0 auto; margin-bottom: 15px;" decoding="async" loading="lazy" srcset="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/power-bank-main.jpg 1067w, https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/power-bank-main.jpg?resize=250,187 250w, https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/power-bank-main.jpg?resize=400,300 400w, https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/power-bank-main.jpg?resize=800,600 800w" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" data-attachment-id="704962" data-permalink="https://hackaday.com/2024/08/31/universal-power-bank-customized-to-your-liking/power-bank-main/" data-orig-file="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/power-bank-main.jpg" data-orig-size="1067,800" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"1"}" data-image-title="power-bank-main" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/power-bank-main.jpg?w=400" data-large-file="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/power-bank-main.jpg?w=800" tabindex="0" role="button" /></div>One of the most troubling trends of almost every modern consumer product that uses electricity is that the software that controls the product is likely to be proprietary and closed-source, <a href="https://hackaday.com/2024/08/31/universal-power-bank-customized-to-your-liking/" class="read-more">…read more</a>";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:0:"";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:0;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:32:"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/";a:1:{s:7:"creator";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:15:"Bryan Cockfield";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:0:"";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:0;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:40:"http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/";a:1:{s:7:"encoded";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:3720:"<div><img width="800" height="600" src="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/power-bank-main.jpg?w=800" class="attachment-large size-large wp-post-image" alt="" style="margin: 0 auto; margin-bottom: 15px;" decoding="async" loading="lazy" srcset="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/power-bank-main.jpg 1067w, https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/power-bank-main.jpg?resize=250,187 250w, https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/power-bank-main.jpg?resize=400,300 400w, https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/power-bank-main.jpg?resize=800,600 800w" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" data-attachment-id="704962" data-permalink="https://hackaday.com/2024/08/31/universal-power-bank-customized-to-your-liking/power-bank-main/" data-orig-file="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/power-bank-main.jpg" data-orig-size="1067,800" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"1"}" data-image-title="power-bank-main" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/power-bank-main.jpg?w=400" data-large-file="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/power-bank-main.jpg?w=800" tabindex="0" role="button" /></div><p>One of the most troubling trends of almost every modern consumer product that uses electricity is that the software that controls the product is likely to be proprietary and closed-source, which could be doing (or not doing) any number of things that its owner has no control over. Whether it’s a computer, kitchen appliance, or even a device that handles the electricity directly, it’s fairly rare to find something with software that’s open and customizable. <a href="https://hackaday.io/project/197666-universal-powerbank" target="_blank">That’s why [Traditional-Code9728] is working on a power bank with an open-source firmware</a>.</p>
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<p>From a hardware perspective the power bank is fairly open as well, with a number of options for connecting this device to anything else that might need power. It sports a bidirectional USB-C port as well as a DC barrel plug, either of which can either charge other devices or receive energy to charge its own battery. These ports can also accept energy from a solar panel and have <a href="https://hackaday.com/2022/08/03/maximum-power-point-tracking-optimizing-solar-panels/">MPPT</a> built in. There’s also dual USB-A ports which can provide anywhere from five to 12 volts at 25 watts, and a color screen which shows the current status of the device.</p>
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<p>While this is a prototype device, it’s still actively being worked on. Some future planned upgrades to the power bank include a slimmer design, charge limiting features to improve battery life, and more fine-tuned control of the output voltage and current on the USB-C port. With all of the software being open-source, as well as the circuit diagram and 3D printing files, it could find itself in plenty of applications as well. This power bank also stays under the energy limits for flying on most commercial airlines as well, but if you don’t plan on taking your power bank on an airplane then you might want to try out <a href="https://hackaday.com/2024/01/10/usb-c-power-supply-pushes-almost-2-kw/">this 2000-watt monster</a> instead.</p>
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";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:0:"";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:0;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:7:{s:0:"";a:7:{s:5:"title";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:52:"The Computer We All Wish We’d Had In The 8-Bit Era";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:0:"";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:0;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"link";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:82:"https://hackaday.com/2024/08/31/the-computer-we-all-wish-wed-had-in-the-8-bit-era/";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:0:"";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:0;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:8:"comments";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:91:"https://hackaday.com/2024/08/31/the-computer-we-all-wish-wed-had-in-the-8-bit-era/#comments";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:0:"";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:0;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:7:"pubDate";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"Sat, 31 Aug 2024 08:00:06 +0000";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:0:"";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:0;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:8:"category";a:5:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:14:"Retrocomputing";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:0:"";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:0;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}i:1;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:9:"74-series";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:0:"";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:0;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}i:2;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:6:"isetta";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:0:"";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:0;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}i:3;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:22:"retargetable microcode";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:0:"";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:0;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}i:4;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:3:"ttl";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:0:"";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:0;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"guid";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:30:"https://hackaday.com/?p=703792";s:7:"attribs";a:1:{s:0:"";a:1:{s:11:"isPermaLink";s:5:"false";}}s:8:"xml_base";s:0:"";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:0;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:11:"description";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:1827:"<div><img width="800" height="450" src="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/isetta-featured.jpg?w=800" class="attachment-large size-large wp-post-image" alt="" style="margin: 0 auto; margin-bottom: 15px;" decoding="async" loading="lazy" srcset="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/isetta-featured.jpg 800w, https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/isetta-featured.jpg?resize=250,141 250w, https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/isetta-featured.jpg?resize=400,225 400w" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" data-attachment-id="704939" data-permalink="https://hackaday.com/2024/08/31/the-computer-we-all-wish-wed-had-in-the-8-bit-era/isetta-featured/" data-orig-file="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/isetta-featured.jpg" data-orig-size="800,450" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="isetta-featured" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/isetta-featured.jpg?w=400" data-large-file="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/isetta-featured.jpg?w=800" tabindex="0" role="button" /></div>The 8-bit home computers of yore that we all know and love, without exception as far as we are aware, had an off the shelf microprocessor at heart. In 1983 <a href="https://hackaday.com/2024/08/31/the-computer-we-all-wish-wed-had-in-the-8-bit-era/" class="read-more">…read more</a>";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:0:"";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:0;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:32:"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/";a:1:{s:7:"creator";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:10:"Jenny List";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:0:"";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:0;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:40:"http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/";a:1:{s:7:"encoded";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:3585:"<div><img width="800" height="450" src="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/isetta-featured.jpg?w=800" class="attachment-large size-large wp-post-image" alt="" style="margin: 0 auto; margin-bottom: 15px;" decoding="async" loading="lazy" srcset="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/isetta-featured.jpg 800w, https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/isetta-featured.jpg?resize=250,141 250w, https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/isetta-featured.jpg?resize=400,225 400w" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" data-attachment-id="704939" data-permalink="https://hackaday.com/2024/08/31/the-computer-we-all-wish-wed-had-in-the-8-bit-era/isetta-featured/" data-orig-file="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/isetta-featured.jpg" data-orig-size="800,450" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="isetta-featured" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/isetta-featured.jpg?w=400" data-large-file="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/isetta-featured.jpg?w=800" tabindex="0" role="button" /></div><p>The 8-bit home computers of yore that we all know and love, without exception as far as we are aware, had an off the shelf microprocessor at heart. In 1983 you were either in the Z80 camp or the 6502 camp, with only a relatively few outliers using processors with other architectures.</p>
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<p>But what if you could have both at once, without resorting to a machine such as the Commodore 128 with both on board? How about a machine with retargetable microcode? No, not the DEC Alpha, but the <a href="https://hackaday.io/project/190345-isetta-ttl-computer" target="_blank">Isetta from [RoelH]</a>— a novel and extremely clever machine based upon 74-series logic, than can not only be a 6502 or a Z80, but can also run both ZX Spectrum games, and Apple 1 BASIC. We would have done anything to own one of these back in 1983.</p>
|
||
<p>If retargetable microcode is new to you, imagine the instruction set of a microprocessor. If you take a look at the die you’ll find what is in effect a ROM on board, a look-up table defining what each instruction does. A machine with said capability can change this ROM, and not merely emulate a different instruction set, but be that instruction set. This is the Isetta’s trick, it’s not a machine with a novel RISC architecture like the <a href="https://hackaday.com/2019/03/25/how-the-gigatron-ttl-microcomputer-works/">Gigatron</a>, but a fairy conventional one for the day with the ability to select different microcode ROMs.</p>
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<p>It’s a beautifully designed circuit if you’re a lover of 74 logic, and it’s implemented in all surface mount on a surprisingly compact PCB. The interfaces are relatively modern too, with VGA and a PS/2 keyboard. The write-up is comprehensive and easy to understand, and we certainly enjoyed digging through it to understand this remarkable machine. We were lucky enough to see an Isetta prototype in the flesh over the summer, and we really hope he thinks about making a product from it, we know a lot of you would be interested.</p>
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";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:0:"";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:0;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:7:{s:0:"";a:7:{s:5:"title";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:27:"Putting a Pi in a Container";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:0:"";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:0;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"link";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:60:"https://hackaday.com/2024/08/30/putting-a-pi-in-a-container/";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:0:"";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:0;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:8:"comments";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:69:"https://hackaday.com/2024/08/30/putting-a-pi-in-a-container/#comments";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:0:"";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:0;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:7:"pubDate";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"Sat, 31 Aug 2024 05:00:49 +0000";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:0:"";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:0;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:8:"category";a:9:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:20:"Software Development";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:0:"";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:0;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}i:1;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:9:"container";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:0:"";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:0;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}i:2;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:16:"containerization";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:0:"";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:0;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}i:3;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:6:"docker";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:0:"";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:0;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}i:4;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:8:"hardware";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:0:"";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:0;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}i:5;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:5:"image";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:0:"";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:0;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}i:6;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:12:"raspberry pi";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:0:"";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:0;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}i:7;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:8:"software";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:0:"";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:0;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}i:8;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:14:"virtualization";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:0:"";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:0;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"guid";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:30:"https://hackaday.com/?p=704964";s:7:"attribs";a:1:{s:0:"";a:1:{s:11:"isPermaLink";s:5:"false";}}s:8:"xml_base";s:0:"";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:0;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:11:"description";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:1881:"<div><img width="800" height="548" src="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/docker-main.png?w=800" class="attachment-large size-large wp-post-image" alt="" style="margin: 0 auto; margin-bottom: 15px;" decoding="async" loading="lazy" srcset="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/docker-main.png 1168w, https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/docker-main.png?resize=250,171 250w, https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/docker-main.png?resize=400,274 400w, https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/docker-main.png?resize=800,548 800w" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" data-attachment-id="704974" data-permalink="https://hackaday.com/2024/08/30/putting-a-pi-in-a-container/docker-main-2/" data-orig-file="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/docker-main.png" data-orig-size="1168,800" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="docker-main" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/docker-main.png?w=400" data-large-file="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/docker-main.png?w=800" tabindex="0" role="button" /></div>Docker and other containerization applications have changed a lot about the way that developers create new software as well as how they maintain virtual machines. Not only does containerization reduce <a href="https://hackaday.com/2024/08/30/putting-a-pi-in-a-container/" class="read-more">…read more</a>";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:0:"";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:0;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:32:"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/";a:1:{s:7:"creator";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:15:"Bryan Cockfield";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:0:"";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:0;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:40:"http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/";a:1:{s:7:"encoded";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:3456:"<div><img width="800" height="548" src="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/docker-main.png?w=800" class="attachment-large size-large wp-post-image" alt="" style="margin: 0 auto; margin-bottom: 15px;" decoding="async" loading="lazy" srcset="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/docker-main.png 1168w, https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/docker-main.png?resize=250,171 250w, https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/docker-main.png?resize=400,274 400w, https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/docker-main.png?resize=800,548 800w" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" data-attachment-id="704974" data-permalink="https://hackaday.com/2024/08/30/putting-a-pi-in-a-container/docker-main-2/" data-orig-file="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/docker-main.png" data-orig-size="1168,800" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="docker-main" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/docker-main.png?w=400" data-large-file="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/docker-main.png?w=800" tabindex="0" role="button" /></div><p>Docker and other containerization applications have changed a lot about the way that developers create new software as well as how they maintain virtual machines. Not only does containerization reduce the system resources needed for something that might otherwise be done in a virtual machine, but it standardizes the development environment for software and dramatically reduces the complexity of deploying on different computers. There are some other tricks up the sleeves as well, and <a href="https://github.com/ptrsr/pi-ci" target="_blank">this project called PI-CI uses Docker to containerize an entire Raspberry Pi</a>.</p>
|
||
<p>The Pi container emulates an entire Raspberry Pi from the ground up, allowing anyone that wants to deploy software on one to test it out without needing to do so on actual hardware. All of the configuration can be done from inside the container. When all the setup is completed and the desired software installed in the container, the container can be converted to an .img file that can be put on a microSD card and installed on real hardware, with support for the Pi models 3, 4, and 5. There’s also support for using Ansible, a Docker automation system <a href="https://hackaday.com/2020/04/24/raspberry-pi-cluster-shows-you-the-ropes/">that makes administering a cluster or array of computers easier</a>.</p>
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||
<p>Docker can be an incredibly powerful tool for developing and deploying software, and tools like this can make the process as straightforward as possible. It does have a bit of a learning curve, though, since sharing operating system tools instead of virtualizing hardware can take a bit of time to wrap one’s mind around. If you’re new to the game <a href="https://hackaday.com/2024/06/10/a-guide-to-running-your-first-docker-container/">take a look at this guide to setting up your first Docker container</a>.</p>
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";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:0:"";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:0;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:7:{s:0:"";a:7:{s:5:"title";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:60:"Symmetrical Gear Spins One-Way, Harvesting Surrounding Chaos";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:0:"";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:0;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"link";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:92:"https://hackaday.com/2024/08/30/symmetrical-gear-spins-one-way-harvesting-surrounding-chaos/";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:0:"";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:0;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:8:"comments";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:101:"https://hackaday.com/2024/08/30/symmetrical-gear-spins-one-way-harvesting-surrounding-chaos/#comments";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:0:"";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:0;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:7:"pubDate";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"Sat, 31 Aug 2024 02:00:15 +0000";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:0:"";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:0;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:8:"category";a:6:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:7:"Science";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:0:"";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:0;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}i:1;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:14:"electrowetting";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:0:"";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:0;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}i:2;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:11:"hydrophilic";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:0:"";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:0;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}i:3;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:11:"hydrophobic";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:0:"";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:0;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}i:4;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:7:"ratchet";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:0:"";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:0;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}i:5;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:7:"wetting";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:0:"";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:0;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"guid";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:30:"https://hackaday.com/?p=704973";s:7:"attribs";a:1:{s:0:"";a:1:{s:11:"isPermaLink";s:5:"false";}}s:8:"xml_base";s:0:"";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:0;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:11:"description";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:1988:"<div><img width="800" height="450" src="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/brownian-ratchet.png?w=800" class="attachment-large size-large wp-post-image" alt="" style="margin: 0 auto; margin-bottom: 15px;" decoding="async" loading="lazy" srcset="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/brownian-ratchet.png 1268w, https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/brownian-ratchet.png?resize=250,141 250w, https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/brownian-ratchet.png?resize=400,225 400w, https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/brownian-ratchet.png?resize=800,450 800w" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" data-attachment-id="704985" data-permalink="https://hackaday.com/2024/08/30/symmetrical-gear-spins-one-way-harvesting-surrounding-chaos/brownian-ratchet/" data-orig-file="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/brownian-ratchet.png" data-orig-size="1268,713" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="brownian ratchet" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/brownian-ratchet.png?w=400" data-large-file="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/brownian-ratchet.png?w=800" tabindex="0" role="button" /></div>Here’s a novel ratchet mechanism developed by researchers that demonstrates how a single object — in this case a gear shaped like a six-pointed star — can rectify the disordered <a href="https://hackaday.com/2024/08/30/symmetrical-gear-spins-one-way-harvesting-surrounding-chaos/" class="read-more">…read more</a>";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:0:"";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:0;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:32:"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/";a:1:{s:7:"creator";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:11:"Donald Papp";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:0:"";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:0;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:40:"http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/";a:1:{s:7:"encoded";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:5376:"<div><img width="800" height="450" src="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/brownian-ratchet.png?w=800" class="attachment-large size-large wp-post-image" alt="" style="margin: 0 auto; margin-bottom: 15px;" decoding="async" loading="lazy" srcset="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/brownian-ratchet.png 1268w, https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/brownian-ratchet.png?resize=250,141 250w, https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/brownian-ratchet.png?resize=400,225 400w, https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/brownian-ratchet.png?resize=800,450 800w" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" data-attachment-id="704985" data-permalink="https://hackaday.com/2024/08/30/symmetrical-gear-spins-one-way-harvesting-surrounding-chaos/brownian-ratchet/" data-orig-file="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/brownian-ratchet.png" data-orig-size="1268,713" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="brownian ratchet" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/brownian-ratchet.png?w=400" data-large-file="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/brownian-ratchet.png?w=800" tabindex="0" role="button" /></div><p>Here’s a novel ratchet mechanism developed by researchers that demonstrates how a single object — in this case a gear shaped like a six-pointed star — can rectify the disordered energy of its environment into one-way motion.</p>
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<p><a href="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/brownian-ratchet-thumb.png" target="_blank"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" data-attachment-id="704984" data-permalink="https://hackaday.com/2024/08/30/symmetrical-gear-spins-one-way-harvesting-surrounding-chaos/brownian-ratchet-thumb/" data-orig-file="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/brownian-ratchet-thumb.png" data-orig-size="624,625" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="brownian ratchet thumb" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/brownian-ratchet-thumb.png?w=400" data-large-file="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/brownian-ratchet-thumb.png?w=624" tabindex="0" role="button" class="alignright size-thumbnail wp-image-704984" src="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/brownian-ratchet-thumb.png?w=250" alt="" width="250" height="250" srcset="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/brownian-ratchet-thumb.png 624w, https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/brownian-ratchet-thumb.png?resize=250,250 250w, https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/brownian-ratchet-thumb.png?resize=400,400 400w" sizes="(max-width: 250px) 100vw, 250px" /></a>The <a href="https://phys.org/news/2024-08-ratchet-mechanism-geometrically-symmetric-gear.html" target="_blank">Feynman–Smoluchowski ratchet</a> has alternating surface treatments on the sides of its points, accomplished by applying a thin film layer to create alternating smooth/rough faces. This difference in surface wettability is used to turn agitation of surrounding water into a ratcheting action, or one-way spin.</p>
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<p>This kind of mechanism is known as an active Brownian ratchet, but unlike other designs, this one doesn’t depend on the gear having asymmetrical geometry. Instead of an asymmetry in shape, there’s an asymmetry in the gear tooth surface treatments. You may be familiar with the terms hydrophobic and hydrophilic, which come down to a difference in surface wettability. The gear’s teeth having one side of each is what rectifies the chaotic agitation of the surrounding water into a one-way spin. Scaled down far enough, these could conceivably act as energy-harvesting micromotors.</p>
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<p>Want more detail? The <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-024-67383-1" target="_blank">published paper is here</a>, and if you think you might want to play with this idea yourself there are a few different ways to modify the surface wettability of an object. High voltage discharge (for example from a Tesla coil) <a href="https://hackaday.com/2024/08/01/secret-messages-on-plastic-just-add-tesla-coil/">can alter surface wettability</a>, and there are <a href="https://hackaday.com/2016/06/24/a-fountain-of-superhydrophobic-art/">off-the-shelf hydrophobic coatings</a> we’ve seen used in art. We’ve even seen <a href="https://hackaday.com/2024/02/09/droplet-watch-keeps-time-via-electrowetting/">an unusual clock that relied on the effect</a>.</p>
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";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:0:"";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:0;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:7:{s:0:"";a:7:{s:5:"title";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:35:"Dual-Port RAM For a Simple VGA Card";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:0:"";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:0;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"link";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:68:"https://hackaday.com/2024/08/30/dual-port-ram-for-a-simple-vga-card/";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:0:"";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:0;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:8:"comments";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:77:"https://hackaday.com/2024/08/30/dual-port-ram-for-a-simple-vga-card/#comments";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:0:"";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:0;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:7:"pubDate";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"Fri, 30 Aug 2024 23:00:03 +0000";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:0:"";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:0;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:8:"category";a:5:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:16:"Microcontrollers";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:0:"";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:0;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}i:1;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:11:"Video Hacks";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:0:"";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:0;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}i:2;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:13:"Dual Port RAM";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:0:"";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:0;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}i:3;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:3:"vga";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:0:"";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:0;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}i:4;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:8:"vga card";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:0:"";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:0;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"guid";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:30:"https://hackaday.com/?p=703771";s:7:"attribs";a:1:{s:0:"";a:1:{s:11:"isPermaLink";s:5:"false";}}s:8:"xml_base";s:0:"";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:0;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:11:"description";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:1892:"<div><img width="800" height="450" src="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/dual-port-vga-featured.jpg?w=800" class="attachment-large size-large wp-post-image" alt="" style="margin: 0 auto; margin-bottom: 15px;" decoding="async" loading="lazy" srcset="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/dual-port-vga-featured.jpg 800w, https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/dual-port-vga-featured.jpg?resize=250,141 250w, https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/dual-port-vga-featured.jpg?resize=400,225 400w" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" data-attachment-id="704933" data-permalink="https://hackaday.com/2024/08/30/dual-port-ram-for-a-simple-vga-card/dual-port-vga-featured/" data-orig-file="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/dual-port-vga-featured.jpg" data-orig-size="800,450" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="dual-port-vga-featured" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/dual-port-vga-featured.jpg?w=400" data-large-file="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/dual-port-vga-featured.jpg?w=800" tabindex="0" role="button" /></div>Making microcontrollers produce video has long been a staple of hardware hacking, but as the resolution goes up, it becomes a struggle for less capable silicon. To get higher resolution <a href="https://hackaday.com/2024/08/30/dual-port-ram-for-a-simple-vga-card/" class="read-more">…read more</a>";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:0:"";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:0;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:32:"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/";a:1:{s:7:"creator";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:10:"Jenny List";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:0:"";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:0;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:40:"http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/";a:1:{s:7:"encoded";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:3496:"<div><img width="800" height="450" src="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/dual-port-vga-featured.jpg?w=800" class="attachment-large size-large wp-post-image" alt="" style="margin: 0 auto; margin-bottom: 15px;" decoding="async" loading="lazy" srcset="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/dual-port-vga-featured.jpg 800w, https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/dual-port-vga-featured.jpg?resize=250,141 250w, https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/dual-port-vga-featured.jpg?resize=400,225 400w" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" data-attachment-id="704933" data-permalink="https://hackaday.com/2024/08/30/dual-port-ram-for-a-simple-vga-card/dual-port-vga-featured/" data-orig-file="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/dual-port-vga-featured.jpg" data-orig-size="800,450" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="dual-port-vga-featured" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/dual-port-vga-featured.jpg?w=400" data-large-file="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/dual-port-vga-featured.jpg?w=800" tabindex="0" role="button" /></div><p>Making microcontrollers produce video has long been a staple of hardware hacking, but as the resolution goes up, it becomes a struggle for less capable silicon. To get higher resolution VGA from an Arduino, [Marcin Chwedczuk] has produced <a href="https://github.com/marcin-chwedczuk/vga-experiments" target="_blank">perhaps the most bulletproof solution,</a> to create dual-port RAM with the help of a static RAM chip and a set of 74-series bus transceivers, and let a hardware VGA interface take care of the display. Yes, it’s not a microcontroller doing VGA, but standalone VGA for microcontrollers.</p>
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||
<p>Dual-port memory is a special type of memory with two interfaces than can independently be used to access the contents. It’s not cheap when bought in integrated form, so seeing someone making a substitute with off-the-shelf parts is certainly worth a second look. The bus transceivers are in effect bus-width latches, and each one hangs on to the state while the RAM chip services each in turn. The video card part is relatively straightforward, a set of 74 chips which produce the timings and step through the addresses, and a shift register to push out simple black or white pixel data as a rudimentary video stream. We remember these types of circuits being used back in the days of home made video terminals, and here in 2024 they still work fine.</p>
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<p>The display this thing produces isn’t the most impressive picture, but it is VGA, and it does work. We can see this circuit being of interest to plenty of other projects having less capable processing power, in fact we’d say the challenge should lie in how low you can go if all you need is the capacity to talk 74-series logic levels.</p>
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<p>Interested in 74-series VGA cards? <a href="https://hackaday.com/?p=704930&preview=true&preview_id=704930">This isn’t the first we’ve seen</a>.</p>
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