Not yet projects
This page contains ideas and projects where you can contribute if any of them catches your eye. All of these projects are open for anyone to undertake (or participate in, if they are already started). If you've never been to Forskningsavdelningen, we hope that knowing that you can contribute and have fun while doing what you love may give you an incitement to pay us a visit!
[edit] Time since reset sign
One button, large display. XXXX hours since someone reset this sign. Studio 60 on Sunset Boulevard has such a sign, which counted number of seconds until next show. Big pressure-maker!
[edit] Rotary-woofer
I have a crashed RC helicopter.
It would be cool to repurpose this as a rotary-woofer - even though the results would likely not be anywhere near the real thing.
A rotary woofer is a type of subwoofer capable of reproducing frequencies from roughly 20hz down to 0hz. No, that's not a typo - a rotary woofer IS capable of maintaining DC pressure in the room.
It is unique in that instead of a cone it uses a fan whose blades can be rotated to either push air into or draw it out of a room. When installed in the wall between the attic, garage or similar (which will act as an infinite baffle) it can maintain a constant flow of air thus increasing or decreasing the pressure in the room as it constantly makes up for air that escapes from the room through doors and windows.
It is one of the only ways to reproduce the subsonic frequencies of for for example thunder strikes or earthquakes but even things as subtle as mildly blowing wind creates subsonic frequencies that, if reproduced, will greatly enhance the listening experience. Way cool...
Contact: STG
[edit] Geocaching electronics-caches
A fun way to promote forskningsavdelningen to tech-head geocachers. We have all of the equipment to build one of each of these caches, except for the locking mechanism. Ideas on how to implement this are very welcome!
Battery-cache
Requires a battery.
Will open when a battery is connected to the box.
Hack-cache
Requires a computer with usb-cable and terminal program.
Powered by USB. Contains a microcontroller terminal that prompts you to solve some kind of problem that may range from a simple question to anything you could come up with.
Code-cache
May require a battery (if the current one is dead).
Opens when a code (obtained by solving a puzzle in the cache description) is entered either via switches or a keypad.
Audio-cache
May require a battery (if the current one is dead).
Allows playback of a previously recorded message, and recording a new one.
Contact: STG
[edit] Networked Serial Server
Currently, we have projects that are in need of a stable serial to ethernet interface. These include the SMS center, and the Flip-disc display. We should build an embedded server. We have eZ80F91 ethernet-module boards available, that are *very* simple to adapt for this purpose. A board with two headers, a 3.3V regulator, a 6-pin programming header and possibly additional UARTs (the board already has two) and a few MAX232's or similar is all that is required. This could be done in an afternoon at our space.
As for the software there is already a preemptive multitasking RTOS and a fully featured network stack with an HTTP server available for this platform. All we need to do is to write some basic web pages and tcp/udp services.
Contact: STG
[edit] 20kpps X-Y laser projector/scanner
Laser projector gear has dropped significantly in price over the last few years. I'm getting a 20kpps X-Y galvo with associated control electronics, which is a good start. While red and green laser sources are still expensive when you need more than the few milliwatts found in ordinary laser pointers, the blue lasers from the A-140 Casio/Nichia pocket projector have dropped to roughly $50 - and they are rated at a minimum of 1000mW! Many $50-range green lasers rated at 5mW can also be overdriven to at least 15mW using regulating electronics and a peltier based cooling system. With additional lasers, blankers and prisms we could - in time - have a full-colour projector.
Contact: Mackt/Kopimi, STG
[edit] PET-Gaming Computer Module
Still alot of hardware and software that needs be done, but feel free to code whatever you like for the system! Visit the project site.
Contact: STG
[edit] -insert colour here- box
EIB (European Installation Bus) is Sweden's most common building automation system. It uses low-speed, unencrypted, serial communications over a separate pair of wires that run just behind any EIB power outlet or other EIB device. A microcontroller, tranformer and radio modem could easily be built into a small case with would attach to the required wires in just seconds using splice connectors. EIB has not made any changed their protocol since 1984, despite being informed about the potential security problems with the system.
[edit] Resources on EIB
The KNX standard is a descendant of the EIB protocol.
Names under which the EIB standard is being promoted and used (non-exhaustive list): Domotik, HES (Home Electronic System), i-Bus EIB, ImmoCAD, Instabus, Powernet, Tebis.
Originally launched on Twisted Pair communication, EIB now supports all relevant field-bus media including Powerline and Radio Frequency. EIB.net introduces automation-level capability based on Ethernet.
Austrian academic lab for home automation have created some EIB.net things.
Contact: ?
[edit] Open Streetmap house number keypad, bike-mounted
Adding a numeric keypad to a bike's handlebar: punch in house numbers as you pass them by, when you GPS-locate the houses. This is great for the Open Street Map next step: addressing.
Contact: ?
[edit] Build a CNC machine
http://www.finkbuilt.com/blog/ has built one, and it looks sweet.
CNC machines can be built in a variety of flavours and some of the required components can be sourced in our space, all we need now is some dedication! :)
The Mantis 9.1 CNC Mill is a very small unit, which looks sweet. Neat MIT-created instructions exist.
Contact: Jimbo
[edit] Script GIMP using Python
Scripting Gimp using the Python-Fu scripting environment. We can make crazy diplomas, your-face-on-a-dollar-bill and more!
Contact: OlleOlleOlle
[edit] Program the C64
Contact: ?
