Harvard Robotlab: Popup-Bots

A clever idea of manufacturing robots in a popup-book like fashion.
Who knows maybe we soon 3D-print these popup-robots at home...

FreeD- handheld digital milling with force feedback

The FreeD is a hand-held, digitally controlled, milling device that is guided and monitored by a computer while still preserving the craftsperson's freedom to sculpt and carve. The computer will intervene only when the milling bit approaches the planned model. Its interaction is either by slowing down the spindle speed or by drawing back the shaft; the rest of the time it allows complete freedom, letting the user to manipulate and shape the work in any creative way.

The idea of the FreeD is to allow designers to engage with the physical material and not just with the CAD environment, and to let them do their interpretations to the virtual model. By that, designers can create something that is one of a kind, unique based on a generic design.

 Check out the MIT Media Lab Site for more Information

For next christmas I wish an electron accelerator

Todd Johnson produces "Shockfossils", Lichtenberg figures, that are carved in acrylic by the immense power of  a rented electron accelerator. After charching the acrylic it passes the 5 million volt electron accelerator, then the acrylic needs to be hit with a hard object. Immediately after the stroke a discharge happen and builds tiny structures of the electrons traveling through acrylic. He can even cover parts with lead masks to control where the effect happens. The Shockfossils are then mounted on a wooden holder and lit by LED's, a commercial product...

This is just awesome, I'd like to see this process live.