Summer is in full swing, and for those of us who like to create ways to more fully enjoy it — rather than to simply lie around the beach idly sipping lemonade — here’s a roundup of some of the coolest (or should that say hottest?) stuff that we’ve seen lately on our favorite maker sites.
Fun in the pool. This appealingly terrifying crocodile solar pool sensor measures pool temperature, then transmits it via Wi-Fi to a mobile app or to a message queuing telemetry transport (MQTT) broker. It uses the Arduino programming environment and runs on solar power. Find the full instructions on Instructables.
Frozen yogurt LEGOs start with using non-toxic silicone to make a mold from the actual toys themselves. Source: InstructablesFun with lights. Hackster’s resident hardware nerd, Alex Glow, has just published this skateboard lighting guide to programming ground-lighting animation onto one’s ride using NeoPixel strips from Adafruit and the BBC Micro:bit. For further adventures, check out Alex’s comprehensive “blinkenlights” guide to using LED strips, microcontrollers and Arduino code to light up all kinds of things — from bicycles and scooters to people.
Fun with the sun. If little lights won’t cut it, there are some cool things one can do with what is essentially the biggest light of them all. The Arduino blog offers this guide to making a DIY solar panel that actively tracks the sun to maximize the power produced, as well as this window blinds controller that opens and closes automatically in time with the sun’s coming and going.
Fun with desserts. Instructables is replete with summer-celebratory treats that are equal parts scientific experimentation and artistic wonder. There is a color-changing ice cream that relies upon pH interactions with anthocyanis pigments found in nature to create its magic. The frozen yogurt LEGOs pictured above start with using non-toxic silicone to make a mold from the actual toys themselves. And a recipe for unicorn cupcakes features instructions on making edible glue and edible glitter. These are but a few of the recipes one can find — dare we say these represent just the tip of the iceberg?
Embrace summer with the maker spirit!
