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Electronic Components
Experimenting with Cuprous Oxide diodes
Pete Friedrichs, author of the can't-be-recommended-highly-enough Voice of the Crystal and Instruments of Amplification (which I review in MAKE Volume 21), has posted online his two-part article "Fun With Homebrew Cuprous Oxide Diodes," which originally appeared in the Xtal Set Society Newsletter. In it, he shows you how to build an old-school Cuprous Oxide-based radio detector (diode) using little more than some metal scraps, misc hardware, and garden shed/kitchen chemicals. The results don't sound all that compelling, but given the crudity of the components... And the detector stand you build in the process can be used for experiments with other natural semiconducting materials. And Peter always does such a lovely job on these builds. It's like a piece a tech art, cobbled together from junkbox bits.
Fun With Homebrew Cuprous Oxide Diodes
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MAKE Volume 21 is the Desktop Manufacturing issue, with how-to articles on making three-dimensional parts using inexpensive computer-controlled manufacturing equipment. Both additive (RepRap, CandyFab) and subtractive (Lumenlab Micro CNC) systems are covered. Also in this issue: instructions for making a cigar box guitar, building your own CNC for under $800, running a mini electric bike with a cordless drill, making a magic photo cube, and tons more. If you're a subscriber, you may have your issue in hand already, and can access the Digital Edition. Otherwise, you can pick up MAKE 21 in the Maker Shed or look for it on newsstands near you!
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Published: 2010-03-05 18:00:00
Do Hybrid Cars Emit Excessive Radiation?
Author: Ariel Schwartz
Should we add hybrid cars to the list of things that emit unsafe amounts of radiation? A research committee funded by Israel's Ministry of Environmental Protection thinks so. The committee studied radiation emitted from various hybrid vehicles over the past nine months with some disturbing results: the current generation Prius is safe, but the Honda Insight, Civic Hybrid, and previous generations of Prius's all emit "surplus" radiation.
According to The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), any extended exposure to electromagnetic fields higher than 2 mG can possibly cause cancer, while the Israeli Ministry of Health believes 4 mG is the maximum amount of allowable radiation. In a study conducted last year by Israeli Web site Walla! Cars, the Prius, Honda Insight, and Civic Hybrid all released 100 mG of radiation during acceleration. Normal driving of the Prius emitted between 14 and 30 mG of radiation.
The Israeli Ministry of Environmental Protection will probably release the results of its nine-month-long study this week, with hybrids classified in three radiation groups. One possible barrier to the study's release: the car companies involved. Israeli Toyota and Honda dealers have already hired lobbying companies to prevent the study from being seen by the world. Take that as you will.
[Via The Truth About Cars]
 
Published: 2010-03-02 13:51:12
Understanding Marine Radars
Marine radars are devices that can be of great assistance to boaters and cruise captains that are navigating their way through miles and miles of open sea. A radar is a device that relies on electromagnetic waves in order to identify various entities in order to determine where a ship is on a map or where other objects are located in proximity to the ship.
Published: 2010-02-19 15:49:19
What Are Marine Radars and How Can They Help?
Marine radars are gadgets that are used to help navigate ships through seas, rivers and oceans. Technically speaking, the radar is made possible by electromagnetic waves. They can identify geological factors like range, speed, direction and altitude and in relation to all approaching objects, including other ships, islands or approaching weather systems. Marine radars emit electromagnetic waves which are then reflected by the target and then returned to the source and amplified.
Published: 2010-02-19 15:40:37
What to Do With Excess Components?
A few decades ago, having a lot of excess electronic components was not really a problem because there was a vibrant retail market for them so it was fairly easy to find buyers for excess components. However this has changed now that the cost of producing finished electronic products is so low that most people do not have any reason to built or repair their own electronics. Similarly, the rise of Internet retailers has really undermined the idea of selling electronic components offline.
Published: 2010-01-21 17:49:59
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