Littlebits de Verão! E Placa de Madeira ultra-fina, Impressão 3D facilitada, novas do Terrafugia, e abrir a Porta da Garagem com o Smartphone!

A cada vez maior Gama de kits modulares de Electrónica LittleBits, Kits que encaixam como Legos, mas são muito mais divertidos, esta rica ideia posta em prática oferece-vos esta campanha de Verão:

About littleBits

littleBits is a playful universe without limits to what you create. There’s no soldering, no wiring, no programming. Just snap together for prototyping, learning & fun! Learn More

http://littlebits.cc/

A Inventables oferece-vos estas Placas de Madeira, ultra-finas, para as vossas Engenhocas:

Leopardwood

An exotic hardwood with naturally spotted coloring

Leopardwood is also known as Lacewood, or Brazilian Lacewood. It is primarily sourced from Chile and Brazil. The heartwood varies from light orange to reddish brown. The appearance is highly-figured with a “lace-like” appearance. The wood is of medium strength and bends well. It is prized for inlays, fine furniture and decorative pieces. It is an excellent choice for turning. Leopardwood weighs around 39 lbs per cubic foot.
Because this is a natural material, the color and pattern will vary slightly from piece to piece. Please see the thickness tolerance below and note that thickness will change based on conditions like humidity.

https://www.inventables.com/technologies/leopardwood--2

 

 

 

 

O MIT vem-nos facilitar a vida, quando Imprimirem em 3D, com vários Materiais, com este programa, separando os dados que seguem para a Impressora, de forma a que só o que é necessário a um dado momento, lá esteja, permitindo assim mais de um Material ser impresso na mesma Impressão, sem paragens.

Mas, como se isso não fosse suficiente, este Programa permite várias graduações de dureza, NO MESMO MATERIAL, mesmo se o Material não seja flexível por si!

 

MIT's new software increases the speed and flexibility of multi-material 3D printing

Lakshmi Sandhana

Although 3D printing technology has progressed in leaps and bounds in recent years, most printers are still only capable of printing a solid object out of a single material. That's fine if you want to produce a plastic object with the same density throughout, but what if you want to use multiple materials in the one object or alter its internal architecture to vary its density and therefore its flexibility? A team at MIT's Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Lab (CSAIL) has developed a new software pipeline that makes both these things possible.

http://www.gizmag.com/3d-printing-multiple-materials/28525/

 

 

 

Boas notícias para os mais cépticos, o Automóvel/Avião, Terrafugia já foi demonstrado em Público, o que faz sempre um belo Espectáculo:

Terrafugia Transition flying car makes first public flights

David Szondy

There was a ray of hope recently for those who are looking forward to a car that’s a bit more Blade Runnery as Terrafugia's Transition flying car made its first public flights at EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. There, the Terrafugia team conducted two 20-minute flight demonstrations and also showed off the capability for the Transition's wings to be folded up so it can be driven about like a car.

Classed as a light sports plane by the United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the Transition is also a road-legal vehicle. Technically, it isn’t a flying car so much as a roadable airplane capable of carrying a pilot/driver and one passenger. The company sees it as a way for private pilots to cover that “last mile” between a small airport and their destination without using a taxi of hauling along a motor scooter.

http://www.gizmag.com/terrafugia-public-flight-demonstration/28701/

 

 

Para os mais distraídos, e/ou os mais comodistas, que tal abrir e fechar a porta da Garagem com o Smartphone?

Tem ainda a vantagem adicional d o estado da porta, aberta ou fechada, ser registado com uma mensagem de texto no télélé, de forma a que vocês possam ter a certeza, seguir viagem sem chatices, e também, dormir descansados!

É bom!

Electric Imp Garage Door Opener

MidnightMaker

I've lost count of the number of times we have set off on a trip only to have to turn back to check to see if we remembered to close the garage door. This ‘ible shows you how to connect the Electric Imp to your garage door opener, how to control your garage door from your iPhone and how to check the status of the door from anywhere. Every time the door is opened or closed a sensor is triggered, and a text is sent to a predefined group of phones so that you are always "in the know" as to door status. Commercially available options and kickstarter campaigns abound but this solution is easy enough to hack together yourself for small $ outlay.

This is an entry for the Remote Control, Weekend Projects and I Could Make that contests. Thanks in advance for your vote! 

 http://www.instructables.com/id/Electric-Imp-Garage-Door-Opener/

Rhino Rotor, 3D Fallout, Ray Gun, e Dyson, o Fascínio da procura da Perfeição... E uma cabeça de Crocodilo!

O Programa Rhino, de remome mundial, e tão usado nos FabLabs, vem agora oferecer-vos um Plugin para desenharem as vossas Asas e Hélices!

Vão fazer o Donload ao seu Blogue, onde também está o novo Curso para saberem como desenhar para Impressoras 3D caseiras, que atenção, Affonso Orciuoli anuncia no seu Facebook, e de certeza que houve, ou haverá cursos iguais nos FabLabs de Portugal.

Rhino Rotorblade - Airfoil and Rotor Generator 

The Rhino Rotorblade project – A NACA airfoil shape and rotor generator plugin for Rhinoceros 5. This free plugin allows the generation of cross-section profiles for NACA airfoils. It also allows the easy and user friendly assembly of cross-sections to form wings and rotors in the form of surface CAD models.

Rhino D+O+F and Type A Machines

Rhino DOF - Design, Optimization & Fabrication with Type A Machines

  http://blog.rhino3d.com/

 

Como o Jogo Fallout já tem muitos Fâs, eis esta "arma", um Ponteiro Laser, na realidade, mas um Ponteiro muito mais divertido!

Podem imprimi-la em 3D, e ter um artigo de Colecção, para o Futuro:

 

A 3D printable AEP7 laser pistol (Fallout)

dragonator

 

A fully 3D printable version of the AEP7 Laser Pistol from fallout 3 and New Vegas. It can be printed in around 30 hours and requires 1kg of material. It requires a lot of support and is challenging to print, but the pay-off is most certainly worth it.

http://www.instructables.com/id/A-3D-printable-AEP7-laser-pistol-Fallout-1/

Faz lembrar o meu Ponteiro Laser, cujos planos já estão à venda no excelente Site de Jon Cantin, Woodmarvels.com, faz algum tempo...
Atenção, o meu Ponteiro é mais para Professores, e Conferencistas:

 

Edgar the Inventor

Edgar is a Portuguese inventor who won the Gold Medal in Geneva (2002) for his Triosk (Kiosk on wheels for the disabled) as well as several other awards and medals across Europe for his ideas. He has worked with computers since the Spectrum 48Ks and been on the net since the 80s. He is the author of the book "Prototypes: To build a prototype without giving up" and the popuar site, "Build your stuff", in English, https://sites.google.com/site/buildyourstuff/ , and a Prototype building Blog, Faz você mesmo, in Portuguese, http://faz-voce-mesmo.blogspot.com.

Ray Gun

Only one moving part, the trigger but you can easily configure it with a laser diode to produce the light as seen in the video.

http://cncking.com/collaborations/laser-cutter/edgar-the-inventor/ray-gun.html 

 

http://cncking.com/collaborations/laser-cutter/edgar-the-inventor/ray-gun.html

Vão lá, e ponham a vossa Máquina de corte Laser CNC a bom uso:

http://cncking.com/collaborations/laser-cutter/edgar-the-inventor/ray-gun.html

Está bem, os Dyson, são Aspiradores mais caros, mas são Aspiradores como deve de ser... E feitos para durar!

Assistam à Filosofia da Dyson, tão bem expressa neste vídeo, uma verdadeira Paixão por Inventar.
A Grâ-Bretanha está de parabéns, com estes Engenhocas:

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KCn10bkLnAI

E por falar no nosso amigo Jon Cantin, que tal...

Uma CABEÇA DE CROCODILO?

Muaháháhá

Eis uma ideia que marca, para organizarem a vossa tralha, e aprenderem a fazer corte de Fresa CNC, usando um método de encaixe que é fascinante de ver:

ShopBotting a Croc Head Organizer: Proof of Concept

Store stuff in this organizer inspired by a croc's head! http://CNCKing.com/ distributes AI, CDR, EPS, DXF, STL, DAE, PartWorks and PDF files and scaled measurement free templates.

https://www.facebook.com/joncantin

Pololu é Maestro! E um braço Ciborg, e Transformers Nintendo

Eis algo que faz de qualquer um um Mestre de Robótica;

Permite-vos criar Robots com movimentos programados, Máquinas que fazem de tudo, controladas por não importa o quê, e com botões, sensores, e o que mais, ligam motores, comandam Servo-motores, para o que queiram!

Vejam esta apresentação, onde uma Geek toda fresquinha, vos explica as capacidades fantásticas desta Engenhoca:

New Video: Getting Started with the Maestro Servo Controller

Emily, an engineer at Pololu, put together a short video demonstrating how easy it is to use some of the key features of our Maestro USB servo controllers. If you want to get a better sense of what the Maestro is capable of or need help getting started with it, check out the video!

http://www.pololu.com/update1308

Porque um pouco de diversão é bom, eis como construírem o vosso Braço Ciborg, com nem mais nem menos que uma Metralhadora Gatling, com este Instructable:

Gattling Gun Cyborg Arm

M.C. Langer

Maker Faire. I couldn't go only with one Cyborg Arm. Nah! I had to go with TWO FREAKING HEAVY CYBORG ARMS!

So, I made the second one. It's like the first one, just changing the pincers for some kind of gattling gun, that spins at high velocity and has a red led, giving the "FIRE" effect.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Gattling-Gun-Cyborg-Arm/

E para surpreender toda a Malta, eis como fazer Transformers Nintendo, com Lego!

LEGO Nintendo 64 Transformers

Baron von Brunk

Created specifically for the Toy Brick Contest in the summer of 2013, I present to you my latest LEGOformers: Ultra Hexacon and Tetragon, the transforming Nintendo 64 and controller, along with their transforming game pak minions Hot-Shot, and Mecha Kong! These original LEGO models are made in near-perfect size and proportions to authentic N64 components, and can transform completely — by “transform completely”, I mean each robot can transform from N64 accessory to robot and back without detaching/removing parts, with the exception of Tetragon’s controller cord. Ultra Hexacon is to this date, my most durable and articulated Transformer model built, with great flexibility and joint strength; he can also stand and be posed without falling over or having pieces break off. With the exception of the custom stickers/labels, every single piece in these toys are 100% LEGO — bricks, plates, slopes, tiles, wedges, and Technic parts. No glue, paint, cutting, nor 3rd party custom pieces.

http://www.instructables.com/id/LEGO-Nintendo-64-Transformers/

Dia de Instructables, e é só coisas práticas!

Quem tiver um Quintalzinho que seja, vai precisar algum dia disto, para não falar em Caves, e todo o resto...

A Bomba de Àgua pifou?

Vai de dar à Bomba à mão!
E atenção, vão ter duas dicas pelo preço de clicarem numa! Também ensina a fazer umas Válvulas porreiríssimas!
É bom!

How To Make A PVC Water / Air / Vacuum Pump!

The King of Random

In this project you'll learn how to make a customizable PVC hand pump that will create vacuum suction, pump water, or compress air.

A pre-requisite to making the pump will be 2 homemade check valves.  You can learn how to make these cheap PVC check valves here!

http://www.instructables.com/id/How-To-Make-A-PVC-Water-Air-Vacuum-Pump/

E corda, já pensaram como fazer Corda da grossa? Eis como a fazer, da maneira mais fácil, e fica porreira!

Rope Making

Mrballeng

Rope making has been around for a very long time. While there are more complicated ways to go about it, this set up is one of the simpler ways. All you really need is a few coat hangers and a couple scraps of wood.
The twine I’m using measures about 1/8”. Six lines of it made a 3/8” rope. Twelve lines made a 1/2” rope.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Rope-Making/

Continuamos com o melhor Instructable sobre como fazer o vosso Moldador de Vácuo, este usa coisas que se encontram aos pontapés, para fazer algo que tem mil e um usos, com aquecimento, molda placas de Plástico, sem aquecimento, molda placas de Oogoo acabado de fazer, por exemplo:

Vacuum Forming Rig

stechi

I wanted to produce a vacuum forming machine that would allow me to do small parts, just for experimenting.  I wanted to go for a self-contained unit with its own heater and vacuum pump.  I know you can do a lot with an oven and vacuum cleaner, but my challenge was to do something neater than that, a self-contained machine.

I won’t go into how vac forming works, because there are plenty of explanations on the internet.  But the main concerns are to hold the plastic sheet, to heat it, to hold it on an airtight moulding table (platen) and to reduce the air pressure to make the moulding.  In short, the heater softens the plastic sheet that is held in the frame. Then the frame is lowered onto the platen, where the object is.  The vacuum pump underneath then draws out the air under the sheet so that the plastic forms the shape of the object; it cools and the job is done.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Vacuum-Forming-Rig/

E nos vossos Projectos envolvendo Laser, eis como fazer em casa um Módulo como deve de ser, caixa, lente, parafusos para ajustamentos, e tudo:

Homemade laser module

pinomelean

You all know that when making a laser device, the most difficult part it's focusing without buying a module.
So here it is, a complet guide about how to make a focusable laser module with parts you have lying around.
Everybody havs heared about aixiz module, but they're expensive, at least if you know you can do something similar for free.

This module is not recomended for laser diodes over 300mW, because lens can melt and it's not the best heatsink.

the goals I wanted to achieve are:
-Make it easily focusable.
-Make it with household parts.
-make it nice and durable.

I'm very happy with the final results, the module acts as heatsink and it can focus the laser to a single burning point or a beam.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Homemade-laser-module/

Fabriprint, Isicalc, HackRF, e GrafiCalc 7.0

Uma boa notícia, podem comprar as vossas impressoras 3D, da série UP!, de 720,00 € a 1 789,00 €, em Portugal, através da Fabriprint.

Tambem comercializam outras máquinas de interesse para Engenhocas, como Cortadoras de Vinil, Prensas Térmicas, e Soldadoras Automáticas:

A Fabriprint

Saiba tudo o que podemos fazer por si!

Somos fabricantes de papel para plotter CAD e GIS.
Distribuímos consumiveis, material de exposição e toda uma vasta gama de equipamentos de impressão digital:
- Impressoras para todos os formatos (grande, médio e pequeno);
- Plotters de Recorte;
- Laminadoras;
- Guilhotinas;
- Dobradoras;
- Encadernadoras
- Prensas de Estampagem.
Prestamos Assistência técnica a Plotters.

A excelente relação qualidade/preço é a nossa bandeira e estamos certos de possuir a capacidade para colocar à sua disposição a solução mais adequada às suas necessidades.

Entregamos em 24 horas na morada que nos indicar.

A competência técnica e os excelentes preços que lhe oferecemos pela qualidade são o nosso segredo!

http://www.fabriprint.pt/impressoras-e-plotters-1/impressoras-3d.html?gclid=CIzw_rTz8LgCFTLMtAoduUsAQQ

 

Também as Impressoras da 3DSystems são representadas em Portugal, neste caso, pela Isicom, por isso podem comparar ao vivo, várias opções, das duas Marcas.

Mas, atenção, a Isicom tem, para além destas Impressoras 3D Pessoais, também uma gama de Impressoras 3D Profissionais, e ainda uma gama de Impressoras de Producção!

Vejam só esta maravilha:

A impressora 3D Systems ProJet ™ CP 3000 produz modelos em cera, ideais para moldes de fundição, produzindo protótipos definitivos funcionais.
A impressora 3D Systems ProJet ™ CP 3000 combina todas as características gerais da série ProJet com o exclusivo material de cera RealWax VisiJet ® CP200 ™. Este material permite obter modelos 100% em cera, com um nivel de acabamento superficial de alta qualidade. A precisão e a qualidade de acabamento são também possíveis graças ao material de suporte solúvel.
A espessura da camada (36 microns), aliada à simplicidade de remoção do material de suporte (solúvel) permitem dar um passo em frente em termos de precisão e acabamento.
Todas estas características fazem da impressora 3D Systems ProJet ™ CP 3000 a escolha ideal para aplicações desde a indústria aeroespacial, automóvel, electrónica entre muitas outras.

Eis o Site:

A Isicom é Distribuidor Certificado 3DSystems para Portugal


Foi com muito orgulho que a Isicom completou o processo de Certificação de Venda e Assistência Técnica dos produtos da 3D Systems Corporation.

A 3D Systems Corporation foi fundada em 1986, com a invenção do primeiro sistema de Prototipagem Rápida por Estereolitografia (SLA, Stereolithography). Hoje é o único fabricante com mais de 400 patentes registadas e titular de todos as tecnologias de prototipagem existentes.

Se ainda não sabe como escolher a impressora 3D indicada para si, consulte-nos, a nossa equipa comercial irá ajudá-lo a identificar as características ideais.

No serviço pós-venda, esta certificação garante que os nossos técnicos adquiriram as competências necessárias para ajudá-lo nas melhores condições.

Exija um parceiro certificado!

http://www.isicom.pt/3dsystems-impressoras-3d-pessoais

Se não me engano, é uma excelente ideia para Macanudos, e Hackers, este HackRF, com o GNU Radio, que pode ser utilizado para vários fins como Analizador de Espectro, e expansível para muitas mais coisas:

Hands on with HackRF

Andrew Back

First hands-on experiences with the low cost SDR platform.

HackRF is a compact software-defined radio peripheral that can transmit and receive half-duplex on any frequency from 30MHz right up to 6GHz, and with a maximum bandwidth of 20MHz. It's affordable, USB powered, supported by GNU Radio, and incredibly useful even if you don't have an interest in SDR (think spectrum analyser, and (vector) signal and arbitrary waveform generator!)

http://www.designspark.com/eng/blog/hands-on-with-hackrf

E para terminar, lembro-vos que o Programa Grafcalc permite-vos desenhar peças e sistemas, sem necessidade de complicados cálculos matemáticos; desenhem uma peça, e o programa diz-vos, interactivamente, como ela reagirá, e até, como tem de ser modificada para cumprir a sua função!

Escape from the limitations of mathematical software for engineering design! 

Let’s face it, geometry and calculations are inseparable aspects of engineering design.

Yet, until now, engineers have been obliged to use two separate tools for solving design challenges – one to define geometry the other to perform calculations.

This is a tedious, disconnected, error-prone process that inhibits innovation. GrafiCalc® is breakthrough software that combines the disciplines of sketching, calculations, and goal-driven optimization in a single application that enables you to simulate and solve a wide range of engineering design challenges with unprecedented ease, speed, and accuracy, while making informed decisions. GrafiCalc Key Benefits Automate design calculations

Backsolve geometry to satisfy stated design goals Collect transient design data for Excel analysis Perform Interactive kinematic simulation Perform virtual manufacturing simulation

www.datacad.de

 

 

Bhold! E um Livro sobre Fablabs, Leopoly, e um Relógio do caraças

Dica do Blog da Sculpteo, a Bhold é um Centro de Design, mas está, de raiz, criado para a era da Prototipagem Rápida, e para criar :

bhold launches a design house committed to innovative, user-centric designs!

There has been lots of progress in 3D printing. Ranging from new businesses, new repositories, new amazing 3D printed objects, it has been hard to keep track of everything. But since last week, we’re in touch with Susan Taing, the founder at bhold, and we have to say we’re quite fond of the way she sees the future of 3D printing with her new startup.
Unlike most of the new attempts in 3D printing, bhold doesn’t count on crowdsourced content to grow its user base. The company defines itself as a design house and aims to be a design hub for 3D printed objects. The goal is to create innovative and user-centric designs, that are directly thought for 3D printing and not for traditional manufacturing. In house designers are working around the latest materials available in 3D printing, with the aim to let anyone use it in its every day life.
 

http://blog.sculpteo.com/2013/08/08/bhold-launches-a-design-house-committed-to-innovative-user-centric-designs/

Dica de Eduardo Lopes via Garagem Fab Lab da DigiFabUSP, eis um Livro sobre a Fab Lab, a Prototipagem Rápida, e é Grátis, e em Português...

livro/book – Fab Lab: A Vanguarda da Nova Revolução Industrial

Fabien Eychenne e Heloisa Neves 

Apoiado pelo Editorial Associação Fab Lab Brasil, e seguindo os princípios do conhecimento compartilhado e aberto, este livro encontra-se disponível para download e pode ser também impresso…

 

http://livrofablab.wordpress.com/

Outra dica da Sculpteo, é o Leopoly, um Site com um Programa 3D, já havia, mas o que não havia é o LeoNardo, o Programa Offline, que eles oferecem, tudo isto com a modificação online de outros Modelos que o Site já tem, o que permite a qualquer um criar Modelos para a Impressão 3D!

Sculpteo teams up with Leopoly!

Since you’re probably fond of 3D printing yourself, you already know TinkerCAD and 3Dtin, two easy to use online 3D tools that help you create models directly in your browser. But since the end of June, the 3D software company Leonar3Do introduced a new way to easily create designs in your browser with their website Leopoly. In our opinion, such tools are the key to broader 3D printing adoption.

And in deed Leopoly is probably the gateway to let anyone access professional creation tools without having any knowledge. It works as a WebGL browser based 3D modeling tool and lets you create and edit 3D objects in the browser. It’s incredibly easy to use, and you only needs a few tries to understand how it works.

http://blog.sculpteo.com/2013/08/07/sculpteo-teams-up-with-leopoly/

...E eis um Relógio Digital do caraças, que vocês podem fazer, porque é dum Instructable, e em Papel!

Neste caso, é melhor verem o Video, é impressionante!

Digital/Analog Clock - Arduino + PaperCraft

alstroemeria

In this instructable we will be recreating a clock inspired by Alvin Aronson's original design. When I first saw this clock I was very impressed by how clean an elegant the design was I immediately wanted to recreate this effect. I hope some of you feel the same and use this as a guide to be one-step closer to having one of your own

Essentially, we have a seven segment clock where instead of LED's we have digits moving in and out of the pane, the shadow created by these digits will allow the user to read the time against the white on white digits. By using 28 servos, we can use a arduino to first process the current time and then push the digits out accordingly through the motor controller. more will be explained in the later pages.

I've tried to keep the parts as simple as possible, using readily available parts without a deep knowledge of electronics one can begin to explore creating their own clock. I do not have 3D printer so construction will be done by way of papercrafting.

http://www.instructables.com/id/DigitalAnalog-Clock-Arduino-PaperCraft/

Robot Arduino, OfficePAK, Hidrogénio, e Raízes

Um Robot Arduino pronto-a-correr, é o que agora podem comprar, depois de tantas outras Engenhocas da Arduino...

É bom! 

Arduino announces its first ready-to-roll robot

Ben Coxworth

Arduino has made quite a name for itself over the past several years, with its single-board microcontrollers making their way into a wide variety of DIY electronic devices. Given that many of those devices have been robots, the company has now taken the next logical step forward – it’s released its first-ever complete robot.

Appropriately named the Arduino Robot, the 7 x 4-inch (178 x 102-mm) circular wheeled device utilizes two stacked Arduino boards. The Control Board, which sits on top, reads the various onboard sensors and causes the robot to react as programmed. The Motor Board, on the bottom, controls the motors that drive the two wheels. Two unpowered ball casters located opposite the wheels keep the robot propped up.

http://www.gizmag.com/arduino-robot/28600/

 

De manhã, passei pela simpática OfficePAK da Duque de Àvila, e não só se lá encontram os tradicionais Agrafos, e Tesouras, mas também placas de K-Line, Cartão tradicional, e Cabos USB de  ligação PC-Telemóvel, e uma carrada de Material Escolar e afins, incluíndo Materiasis que podem servir para sei lá que amis Engenhocas...

Por exemplo, não sei se lá há, mas podem obter 50 Ìmanes iguais para as vossas Experiências, se comprarem uma simples caixa de Ímanes para Placas de Memos de Escritório.

E como há destas Lojas por todo o lado, vão lá à Duque de Àvila, ou às suas Congéneres:

OFFICE PAK LISBOA AV. DUQUE DE AVILA 92A

Espaço Comercial com todos os artigos para escritórios, material escolar, carimbos, cartoes de visita etc

https://www.facebook.com/hajy786

Uma nova Técnica usa Sol e Água para produzir Hidrogénio, eis algo que promete, usando a Luz Solar concentrada, e Óxidos de Metais:

New technique for turning sunshine and water into hydrogen fuel

Lakshmi Sandhana

 

A new technique developed by a University of Colorado Boulder team converts sunshine and water directly into usable fuel. The technique involves concentrating sunlight in a solar tower to achieve temperatures high enough to drive chemical reactions that split water into its constituent oxygen and hydrogen molecules. In this way, the team says it should be able to cheaply produce massive amounts of hydrogen fuel.

The team's solar thermal system concentrates sunlight off a vast array of mirrors into a single point at the top of a tall tower to produce very high temperatures. When this heat is delivered into a reactor full of metal oxides, the oxides heat up and release oxygen. The reduced metal oxide now gains a chemical composition that makes it ready to bind with oxygen atoms. Introducing steam into the reactor, which can also be produced by heating water with sunlight, causes the compound to draw oxygen atoms out of the water molecules, leaving behind hydrogen molecules that can be collected as hydrogen gas.

http://www.gizmag.com/sunshine-and-water-into-fuel/28563/

Arrancar Raízes de Plantas daninhas, é uma dor-de-dentes, sei, que já vi fazer, olá, Lopes, mas agora, parece que vai ser menos difícil, e mais intuítivo:

Ring Weeder gets to the root of the manual weeding problem

Dave LeClair

Removing weeds can be annoying, especially in an area with a lot of plants. Ring Weeder slips over the user's index finger and allows for precision weed pulling all the way down to the root.

When taking a hands-on approach to weeding, the challenge is to make sure that the pesky invader is pulled all the way out, root intact. If it's not a clean extraction, there's a very good chance that the weed will just grow back and you'll have to try again.

Ring Weeder is worn like a ring over the gardening glove, and has a forked end that the gardener sticks in the ground behind the weed. The offending plant and root are then removed with a smooth dig and lift motion. It's a simple tool, but one that could prove to be a time saver for anyone who does a lot of gardening

http://www.gizmag.com/ring-weeder/28582/