Sure, Prime day is happening now, but where’s the DIY fun in that?
Here’s a GitHub tutorial on how to build your own Alexa powered speaker.
DIY Alexa with the ESP32 Want to build your own Alexa? All you will need is an ESP32 and Microphone board. Demo video and code walkthrough is available here on YouTube I’m using a microphone breakout board that I’ve built myself based around the ICS-43434 – but any microphone […]
Yesterday, the East Coast was hit hard by a tropical storm that left millions without power.
That got me thinking (and searching) about off-grid alternatives, which led me to jehugarcia’s video on his home DIY Powerwall project.
In this video, GreatScott! takes a closer look at a commercial 5V USB portable solar power charger.
After measuring its output power and pretty much “short reviewing” the product, I will try to make my own DIY version that should cost around the same while outputting more power! Let’s get started!
In this livestream, Andy and I talk about why Data Engineering may be the next hot career, how Microsoft’s culture has changed, and Frank’s solar power experiments.
USB Type C is great until you have to use dongles.
DIY Perks shows us how to fix this.
Get those soldering irons ready! 
DIY Perks shows you how to build a 4K home projector to bring that movie theater experience home, as it could be a while before regular cinemas open.
As a bonus, there’s a great description of the science behind projection.
The Hook Up puts 10 indoor cameras to the test to figure out which one gives the most features while retaining your privacy.
My top 3 choices for those without the ability (or desire) to block cameras from the internet:
- EufyCam Pan & Tilt (Ships June): https://www.eufylife.com/activities/indoorcampreorder
- IoTeX UCAM (Ships July): https://ucam.iotex.io/
- WyzeCam V2 (Shipping Now): https://amzn.to/2ZVdTWZ
Unbox Therapy found a use for $700 Apple wheels in a video that will bring a smile to your face.
I love the innovation and passion shown by the 3D printing and maker community during the pandemic.
The 3D Handyman shows you how to make a respirator with a Food-Safe 100% Silicone seal for about $2.75 in materials.
Be sure to read his safety information.
The 3D Handyman shares an interesting technique to address the mask shortage in light of the COVID pandemic.
However, there are safety concerns you should take seriously. Highlights added.
I’m sharing this video here to inspire folks to use the tools and expertise at their disposal to fight this awful disease.
WARNING! The activated carbon layer of the MERV 16 filter used in this video appears to contain fiberglass!
Other home air filters may also contain Fiberglass! Do not use fiberglass based materials for breathing devices! One possible test is if you can melt the filter material into a plastic blob with a standard lighter it is likely a synthetic material. If the material can not be melted, there is a high likelihood that it is fiberglass. That said, it can be very difficult to determine what these filters are made of and some may be a small percentage fiberglass. Use extreme caution when making any type of breathing device! Emailing the manufacturer may be the only way to find out what the filter is made out of.
There are lots of materials that can be loaded into this and other 3D printed mask designs. According to “tests at Missouri University and University of Virginia, scientists found that vacuum bags removed between 60 percent and 87 percent of particles.” This article also mentions “A 600 thread count pillow case captured just 22 percent of particles when doubled, but four layers captured nearly 60 percent.” This may indicate that a double layer of a MERV 12 filter (or lesser rated filters) may have much better filtration performance than just a single layer. ALSO “The problem with air filters is that they potentially could shed small fibers that would be risky to inhale. So if you want to use a filter, you need to sandwich the filter between two layers of cotton fabric.” Good advice! https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/05/well/live/coronavirus-homemade-mask-material-DIY-face-mask-ppe.html
It appears many 3D printed masks do not have enough filter surface area and negate the manufacturer filtration ratings and can actually lead to CO2 build up in the mask cavity and in your body. This particular design appears to have enough surface area to function without these issues. However, keep this in mind and if you choose to wear a device like this
REMOVE IT if you feel light headed, dizzy, headache, confusion, etc. (Carbon Dioxide Poisoning) and NEVER wear a mask while sleeping.
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