The 555 Writ Large
Few electronic ICs can claim to be as famous as the 555 timer. Maybe part of the reason is that the IC doesn’t have a specific function. It has a …read more Continue reading The 555 Writ Large
Author Archives: Al Williams
DIY X-Rays Made Easy
Who doesn’t want an X-ray machine? But you need a special tube and super high voltage, right? [Project 326] says no, and produces a USB-powered device that uses a tube …read more Continue reading DIY X-Rays Made Easy
Double Your Printing Fun with Dual-Light 3D Printing
Using light to 3D print liquid resins is hardly a new idea. But researchers at the University of Texas at Austin want to double down on the idea. Specifically, they …read more Continue reading Double Your Printing Fun with Dual-Light 3D Printing
Embedded USB Debug for Snapdragon
According to [Casey Connolly], Qualcomm’s release of how to interact with their embedded USB debugging (EUD) is a big deal. If you haven’t heard of it, nearly all Qualcomm SoCs …read more Continue reading Embedded USB Debug for Snapdragon
Voltage Divider? Filter? It’s Both!
When we do textbook analysis, we tend to ignore the real-world concerns for the sake of learning. So, a typical theoretical voltage divider is simply two resistors. But if you …read more Continue reading Voltage Divider? Filter? It’s Both!
Ask Hackaday: Are You Wearing 3D Printed Shoes?
We love 3D printing. We’ll print brackets, brackets for brackets, and brackets to hold other brackets in place. Perhaps even a guilty-pleasure Benchy. But 3D printed shoes? That’s where we …read more Continue reading Ask Hackaday: Are You Wearing 3D Printed Shoes?
No Tension for Tensors?
We always enjoy [FloatHeadPhysics] explaining any math or physics topic. We don’t know if he’s acting or not, but he seems genuinely excited about every topic he covers, and it …read more Continue reading No Tension for Tensors?
Kids vs Computers: Chisanbop Remembered
If you are a certain age, you probably remember the ads and publicity around Chisanbop — the supposed ancient art of Korean finger math. Was it Korean? Sort of. Was …read more Continue reading Kids vs Computers: Chisanbop Remembered
Oscillator Negativity is a Good Thing
Many people who get analog electronics still struggle a bit to design oscillators. Even common simulators often need a trick to simulate some oscillating circuits. The Barkhausen criteria state that …read more Continue reading Oscillator Negativity is a Good Thing
Better Solid State Heat Pumps Through Science
If you need to cool something, the gold standard is using a gas compressor arrangement. Of course, there are definite downsides to that, like weight, power consumption, and vibrations. There …read more Continue reading Better Solid State Heat Pumps Through Science