Ep 131: Have a Heart, Transputer Pi, Just the Wing, and a Flipped Cable Fries Radio

Hackaday Podcast · 13 Aug 2021 · 42m · Episode 131

What this episode covers

Hackaday editors Mike Szczys and Elliot Williams discuss a Tesla Megapack fire, highlighting the challenges of grid-scale lithium-ion battery safety and the massive water volume required to cool thermal runaway. They review several hardware hacks, including running original Tamagotchi ROM on an STM32 microcontroller, a flying wing aircraft design that replaces windows with LCD screens, and a troubleshooting case where a flipped RJ12 cable fried a Yaesu radio due to missing reverse polarity protection. The episode also covers using a laser to remove a Bayer filter from a camera sensor for spectrometry, emulating Transputer architecture with an RP2040, and software libraries for ESP8266 proximity sensing and Wi-Fi management.

Other shows on the same ground, closest first.

  • The Spark Gap · 1h 04m

    The Spark Gap - Episode 44

    Hosts Carl and Corey discuss a grab bag of embedded electronics topics, starting with their new remote recording setup using Shure and MXL microphones. They review the TI ADS1263 32-bit ADC and the Lattice iCE40 FPGA ecosystem, highlighting the open-source Project Ice Storm toolchain. The hosts then critique the Raspberry Pi Zero's limited I/O and the safety issues surrounding lithium-ion batteries in 'hoverboards', before Corey airs a grievance about poor PCB differential pair routing practices.

  • The Amp Hour · 1h 11m

    Magical Fire Bags

    Hosts Chris Gammell and Dave Jones discuss the engineering failures behind the Samsung Galaxy Note 7 battery explosions, attributing them to insufficient physical tolerance for battery swelling in a rigid aluminum enclosure. They analyze the rise and fall of Pebble and MakerBot as cautionary tales of startup hype and the risks of relying on third-party IoT service layers. The episode also covers the enduring relevance of the 8051 microcontroller, the complexity of historical chip documentation, and Ben Krasnow's use of off-the-shelf eBay components for rapid prototyping.

  • The Amp Hour · 1h 14m

    Pneumatic Tubes, Straight To The Home

    Dave Jones and Chris Gammell discuss recent tech hype, including debunking viral claims about the 'Water Cube' dehumidifier and beta-voltaic 'nuclear diamond' batteries. They cover the merger of Evil Mad Scientist and Bantam Tools, a side-channel security vulnerability affecting ESP32 microcontrollers, and the acquisition of a used TVM pick-and-place machine. The conversation also touches on power grid issues, CAD software choices like Fusion 360 and Onshape, and the failure of solar roadways.

  • The Amp Hour · 1h 04m

    Use The Protection Circuit

    Dave Jones of EEV Blog and Chris Gammell of Contextual Electronics discuss the technical and logistical challenges of hardware development. They detail a Gerber file compatibility issue with JLC PCB when using Altium's plane layers, the high cost of prototyping with custom components like transformers and connectors, and the critical safety implications of using unprotected 18650 lithium cells. The conversation also touches on the cancellation of the Open Source Hardware Summit in China, the rise of USB 4, and the precision required for home-milled PCBs.

  • The Amp Hour · 1h 15m

    Space Difficulties and Lost Heroes - Wanzing Workshop Whemmle

    Hosts Chris Gammell and Dave Jones discuss the recent Antares rocket explosion, the Hackaday Prize space trip controversy, and the passing of Tom Maglioli from Car Talk. They also cover U-beam's wireless charging technology, Dr. Greg Shaver's ultrasound chip startup, and DIY projects including a Tony Stark Halloween costume and reflow oven modifications.

The summary, chapters and topics are generated from the episode’s audio by this directory, not written by Hackaday Podcast. The episode itself belongs to its publisher.