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Archive: Instructables
February 2, 2009
Algae bioreactor from recycled water bottles
Here's a really neat energy project:
In this instructable, we describe how to build a photo-bioreactor that uses algae to convert carbon dioxide and sunlight into energy. The energy that is produced is in the form of algae biomass. The photo-bioreactor is built from plastic recycled water bottles. By using algae as a biofuel, we can increase the world's supply of oil while at the same time we decrease the amount of atmospheric carbon dioxide used during its production. The resulting product is a sustainable biofuel whose carbon footprint is neutral inasmuch as the CO2 produced on consumption is essentially balanced by the CO2 used in its production. In this instructable, we first make the carbon dioxide delivery system, then mount the water bottles on a rack, and then inoculate the bottles with algae. After letting the algae grow for a week, we extract the biomass.
Posted by Becky Stern |
Feb 2, 2009 09:00 PM
DIY Projects, Green, Instructables |
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Uses for plastic bottles
This Instructable has a bunch of ideas for reusing plastic (PET) bottles. Some of them are obvious (a grain scoop and a parts bins), some are more novel (a mosquito trap and a plant coldframe). Above are biscuit/cookie cutter, a butter churn, an LED light bulb, and an electric fence insulator.
Quick and easy homestead uses for Plastic Bottles (PET)
Posted by Gareth Branwyn |
Feb 2, 2009 01:09 PM
Green, Instructables |
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January 30, 2009
Cross country ski stroller
Aptly named Instructables user dirtydiaperchanger made this X-country ski stroller with relatively inexpensive materials. I hope my brother is reading, since he's got a little one up in Maine where there's five feet of snow.
Posted by Becky Stern |
Jan 30, 2009 11:00 AM
DIY Projects, Instructables, Kids, Transportation |
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January 29, 2009
Best of Instructables excerpt: Mousebot revisited
Here's another Make: Books PDF excerpt. This one comes from the Best of Instructables, which is a compilation of some of the most amazing projects from Instructables, the world's biggest show and tell. This excerpt is kind of special to us. In it, former Make intern Jacob McKenzie riffs on a project by Gareth Branwyn, Lead Editor for this book:
Gareth Branwyn's "Mousey the Junkbot," from MAKE Volume 02, is a fun introduction to robotics. So fun, that I've created this expanded documentation of a Mousey build from start to finish, with a few extra tips and tricks you won't find in the magazine project. This how-to is best understood after reading the original article, found on page 100 of Volume 02 (or in The Best of MAKE collection), however it is probably not required.
Mousey is a simple bot that uses two "eyes" to sense light and then turns towards the light it detects. A single large "whisker" is mounted on the front to detect collisions. A collision with a wall will cause the bot to reverse and turn, then take off in another direction. This project is pretty cheap if you have a mouse to use, the other parts can be obtained for less than ten dollars.Mousey requires several parts that we can conveniently borrow from a donor mouse, its eyes and its whisker. Open up the mouse and locate the components that we'll be harvesting, the momentary switch and the infrared emitters. The emitters are the components in the clear package (Figure C)...
Follow this link for the full excerpt.
Previously:
- Making Things Talk excerpt: distance ranging
- Eccentric Cubicle book excerpt: improvisational fabrication
- Fashioning Technology book excerpt: Sewing Soft Circuits
Buy Best of Instructables in the Maker Shed today! (Use code 2009OX on checkout for a 10% discount for the week of January 26, 2009.)
Instructables.com has become one of the most popular magnets for makers and DIY enthusiasts of all stripes. Now, with more than 10,000 projects to choose from, the Instructables staff, editors of MAKE: Magazine, and the Instructables community itself have put together a collection of technology how-to's from the site. The Best of Instructables Volume 1 includes plenty of clear, full-color photographs, complete step-by-step instructions, and tips, tricks, and new build techniques you won't find anywhere else!
Posted by Brian Jepson |
Jan 29, 2009 09:00 PM
Instructables, Maker Shed Store |
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Craftsman/Instructables workshop of the future contest winners
Give a community the motivation of a $20,000 grand prize, and they can produce a lot of great tutorials. That's just what Instructables and Craftsman did, and they selected one winner and ten finalists whose Instructables are all worth a good read. Several have been featured on MAKE, but not the one on extracting honey! The grand prize winner was how to convert your honda accord to run on trash. Check out the rest of the winners.
More:
Posted by Becky Stern |
Jan 29, 2009 09:00 PM
Instructables |
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HOW TO - Raft from plastic bottles
Instructables user Weissensteinburg made this raft by collecting plastic bottles for pontoons, and shows you how to make your own, too.
Posted by Becky Stern |
Jan 29, 2009 07:30 AM
DIY Projects, Green, Instructables |
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January 28, 2009
HOW TO - Choose a microcontroller
Instructables user westfw has a very in-depth guide about different microcontrollers which includes the differences between the different architectures and practical tips.
Posted by Becky Stern |
Jan 28, 2009 07:00 AM
Electronics, Instructables |
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January 27, 2009
DIY sonar garment - Bat detector jacket
DIY sonar garment - Bat detector jacket... Lynne writes-
Sonar garment to assist the visually impaired with navigating the built environment. Made from Lilypad main board, LV-MaxSonar ultrasonic range finder and a LilyPad vibeboard. The range finder can be set to locate a solid object X distance in front of the user and turn the vibeboard on alerting the user to stop before walking into a solid object.
This project was inspired by attending the unveiling of the award winning facilities for Anchor Center for Blind Children designed by star architect Maria Cole. During my visit one of the former students came up to speak with me because she could 'see' what I was wearing (a confetti fabric coat) and she too wanted to design clothes. Just goes to show ya never know where the next project is coming from!
Posted by Phillip Torrone |
Jan 27, 2009 09:55 AM
Arduino, DIY Projects, Electronics, Instructables |
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LEGO valve stem cap
Instructables user imaseahawksfan made these LEGO valve stem caps for his motorcycle. I think they look great, and this technique is easily translated to all sorts of valve stem caps. I'm thinking they would look great on my bicycle!
Posted by Becky Stern |
Jan 27, 2009 07:00 AM
DIY Projects, Instructables, LEGO |
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January 26, 2009
Lake bouys from plastic bottles
Instructables user Patenteux du Nord details the construction of these attractive lake bouys:
My parent's cabin does not have drinkable tap water, so we use a lot of water bottles, juice bottles and all kind of bottles (my father prefers beer bottles). There is also no recycling system in this area, so we have to bring all these containers back home. I found a way to reuse them (using only my father's tool box) by turning them into a useful, good looking and entertaining buoy for the lake. They can be used as seats for exhausted swimmers, anchor for your kayak or rock warning... It is also really fun to try to run on them like in a Japanese game show...
Posted by Becky Stern |
Jan 26, 2009 09:00 PM
DIY Projects, Green, Instructables |
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Postal scale from old CDs
I found this interesting instructable about making a postal scale from old CDs. The completed scale seems accurate enough for most peoples needs. Check out the link for more information about the build, including how to accurately calibrate the final scale using quarters.
More about making a Postal scale from old CDs
Posted by Marc de Vinck |
Jan 26, 2009 03:00 AM
DIY Projects, Green, Instructables |
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January 23, 2009
Geodesic Dome Greenhouse
YES-2-Tech, part of a program called Youth Exploring Science (YES) at the Saint Louis Science Center, published an instructable about making geodesic greenhouses. They write:
Working and building the domes has been exciting, but also very beneficial. We traveled around St. Louis teaching kids and adults about the purpose and functions of the greenhouses. Also, we supervised the building of domes at different community centers. With a geodesic dome greenhouse, you can extend the growing season of your plants and protect them from the harsh weather outside.
Posted by Becky Stern |
Jan 23, 2009 12:00 PM
DIY Projects, Instructables |
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January 21, 2009
Build a climbing wall in your garage
Instructables user kraker89 made this really sweet climbing wall in his garage. He documented his process and insights very well; it makes me want to build one!
Posted by Becky Stern |
Jan 21, 2009 09:00 PM
DIY Projects, Instructables |
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January 20, 2009
HOW TO - Ondes Martenot from a game controller
Devin created a digital version of the classic ondes Martenot electronic instrument using a USB Gametrak controller -
Like the Ondes, I wanted the controller to give continuous and fluid pitch adjustments, a deep volume control, and offer a range of timbres.Definitely an interesting project should you find one of the controllers for cheap - The OndestrakAll of the materials needed for this project are a Gametrak video game controller, a copy of the programming environment Max/MSP (found at Cycling '74), and a few sundry pieces available at any hardware store.
Posted by Collin Cunningham |
Jan 20, 2009 05:00 AM
Instructables, Music |
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January 19, 2009
Cell phone solar panel
Here's an Instructable on adding a supplemental solar panel to a mobile phone. Doesn't seem like it crazily increases battery life, but certainly can't hurt.
(via Ecofriend)
Posted by Luke Iseman |
Jan 19, 2009 04:00 PM
Green, Instructables |
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January 15, 2009
Safety alarm clock
Instructables user dylan2106 writes:
I often find getting out of bed in the morning a bit tricky. When i have somewhere to be at a certain time, i get up pretty reliable. However when I want to get up it always seems that I manage to turn off my alarm clock before fully waking up. Put it on the other side of the room? Multiple alarms? Sooner or later I acclimatise, and fall back to old habits... This instructable will hopefully show you how to put your alarm under lock and key! This is the safety alarm clock.
Posted by Becky Stern |
Jan 15, 2009 09:33 PM
DIY Projects, hacks, Instructables |
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Soda bottle herb garden
The Tap'd Instructables contest is generating some really cool entries, including this soda-bottle-based herb garden:
Any suggestions on maximum plant size that will work with this much soil space?
Posted by Luke Iseman |
Jan 15, 2009 04:00 PM
Green, Instructables |
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Converting a generator to run on propane
This Instructable is interesting because it lets you run a gas generator on propane and also might serve as an introduction to adapting fuel inputs more broadly.
Anyone know whether this would work as-is with methane instead of propane?
Posted by Luke Iseman |
Jan 15, 2009 10:00 AM
Green, Instructables |
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Honey extractor
Doozer_not_fraggle put together an Instructable for a honey extractor made from an old washing machine. I know a lot of you keep bees - have you come up with clever ways to extract honey?
Posted by Patti Schiendelman |
Jan 15, 2009 07:00 AM
Instructables |
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January 14, 2009
Solar thermal hydroponic system
Here's a brilliantly simple Instructable on using the sun as your pump for a hydroponics system.
According to the Instructable, clouds passing in front of the sun creates enough change in light to make the pump run. Has anyone seen scaled-up versions of this? Seems like it could be a great way to create some water pressure for harvested rainwater...
Posted by Luke Iseman |
Jan 14, 2009 04:00 PM
Green, Instructables |
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