This is [Lee von Kraus'] new experimental propulsion system for an underwater ROV. He developed the concept when considering how one might adapt the Bristlebot, which uses vibration to shimmy across a solid surface, for use under water. As with its dry-land relative, this technique uses a tiny pager motor. The device is designed to vibrate …
‘Vortex-drive’ for underwater ROV propulsion
Firing rocket engines in the wrong direction — this is only a test
LVL1 has a new rocketeering group. This rocket engine testing platform is the first project to come out of the fledgling club. The purpose of the tool is to gather empirical data from model rocket engines. Having reliable numbers on thrust over time will allow the team to get their designs right before the physical build even …
Engine Hacks: Build a turbojet from junkyard parts
Turbo chargers from cars are readily available and easily modified, so why not modify a turbo into a jet engine? While [Mike]‘s junkyard jet made the rounds on the Internet over a decade ago, the theory behind the homebrew turbojet is still sound. After pulling a turbo out of a 1983 Nissan Pulsar, [Mike] built …
Human-powered quadcopter flies live tomorrow
A team from the University of Maryland will be taking their human-powered helicopter to the air tomorrow. The current flight record for this type of vehicle is just over 19 seconds of flight at a height of about 8 feet. What surprises us about this attempt is that they’re not pedaling just one main rotor. It …
Who’s Stealing Your China Trade Secrets?
The Wall Street Journal’s Joseph Sternberg recently wrote an interesting article, entitled “China WikiLeaks Itself” and subtitled, “Perhaps the threat of cyber crime will finally lead to a long-awaited intellectual-property epiphany.” The thrust of the…
A different take on electric motor cars
[Craig Carmichael] has been hard at work on his electric hub motor for cars. Unlike typical electrical vehicles the plan is to bypass the transmission, differential, and everything else all together by connecting directly to the hub of the wheel. The goal of giving greater thrust and still allowing the use of a gas engine …
