Here is an digital audio project that uses S/PDIF.

“Here’s a very trivial S/PDIF transmitter hack for portable MiniDiscs and other digital audio devices lacking S/PDIF output.

The s/pdif transmitter runs from +5V, 44kHz 16bit input at 384xfs, is set to consumer mode output, and doesn’t transmit any COPY bit (copyright protection disabled). The board can be connected directly to a PC motherboard, or via a Toshiba TOTX173 to an optical cable feed, or with a small transformer to a coax line.”

Rod Richards created a robot called Tank Bot, have a look at the details here. Video after the jump.

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Thinklabs has the first stethoscope where you might need to say “iPod not included” when showing pictures of it. Although the $495.00 version does come with a 2GB iPod.

Think you could build your own? You probably could, here is a reference to use as a head start.

“In a conventional stethoscope, the diaphragm vibration causes air pressure behind the diaphragm to change, which passes up the tubes as a sound wave to impinge pressure changes on the listener’s eardrums. Losses occur throught the tubing and there is no amplification.

Thinklabs developed a technology that replaces air pressure changes with electric field changes. Having captured diaphragm movement as an electrical signal, it can be amplified and processed with the full power of current technology. The resulting electrical signal is a perfect analog of the air pressure changes at the diaphragm of a traditional stethoscope, ensuring that the electrical signal truly captures the authenticity of stethoscope sound enabling you to use a Thinklabs stethoscope with no “ear re-training”.

Thinklabs diaphragm technology has been implemented as the Electromagnetic Diaphragm (EmD) used in Thinklabs stethoscopes. The EmD is coated internally with a conductive surface. Spaced behind the diaphragm is a metal plate which is charged to a high voltage, thereby setting up an electric field behind the diaphragm. As the diaphragm moves, the voltage on the plate changes due to changes in the electric field. The beauty of this solution is that the diaphragm moves exactly as it would in a conventional stethoscope, and therefore the vibratory response is identical. The result is a sound familiar to the clinician, but amplified and processed to extract the optimal frequency response.”

Via Red Ferret

Hacked Gadgets friend FastMHz has been busy doing all sorts of experiments, and this crazy mad scientist has captured it on tape for our enjoyment! Not sure if all fingers and toes are still accounted for, I think I would be hiding (cowering) behind something solid for most of these tests.

After watching the video those wall mounted can crushers seem so useless, I want to crush cans using a huge electrical discharge! I also have never seen a water capacitor, hopefully FastMHz can fill us in on how to build it and how well it works…

“I’ve just finished a new video my handheld air cannon, an electrothermal cannon (first one I’ve ever seen by a hobbyist), and exploding wires, along with another use for the induction launcher…also got some high power single stage coilgun shots in there…”

If you have a burnt out IC (integrated circuit) why not crack the thing open to what makes it tick before tossing it in the trash. Nick Chernyy from uBlog has provided some details on how to do it. Just so happens that I cracked open a power regulator myself not too long ago…

“Integrated circuits are very hard to design properly, so many people put substantial effort into doing layout, mask and process engineering. With this in mind, one rationale for uncapping chips is to look at the artwork that is otherwise concealed inside the package. For students who are interested in IC design, looking at dies can provide some insight into already proven designs. There is also some excitement in finding various easter eggs that the designers put in the masks. Finally, for simple enough chips, it is sometimes fun to see how the device works from a gate/transistor level.”

Thanks Nick.

Here is a list of 5 cool coil guns, either one would be fun to try out. Remember that coil guns can be dangerous, if you build one and shoot out your eye don’t say you weren’t warned.

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