# Ep 216: FETs, Fax, and Electrochemical Fab

- Show: [Hackaday Podcast](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast)
- Published: 2023-04-28
- Length: 47m
- Episode: 216
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2023-04-28-ep-216-fets-fax-and-electrochemical-fab
- Listen: https://hackaday.libsyn.com/ep-216-fets-fax-and-electrochemical-fab

## Summary

Hackaday editors Elliot Williams and Al Williams review the week's hacks, starting with the Hackaday Prize's assistive tech challenge, which highlights 3D-printed customizations for wheelchairs and dementia-friendly radio interfaces. They discuss a 1930s facsimile machine that transmitted images via phone lines using a rotating drum and photo tube, and a project using an ESP32 with the Talkie library to replicate 1980s speech synthesis. The episode also covers a slow movie player using neural networks to minimize e-ink ghosting, an electrochemical fabrication method for rocket engine cooling channels, and an op-amp noise generator triggered by static electricity. Finally, they analyze a thrift-store 1802-based computer and an article advocating for the underused FET in discrete designs.

## Chapters

- [0:02](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2023-04-28-ep-216-fets-fax-and-electrochemical-fab#t=2) Introduction: Hackaday Prize and Assistive Tech
- [3:55](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2023-04-28-ep-216-fets-fax-and-electrochemical-fab#t=235) Sound Quiz and 1930s Facsimile Machine
- [9:03](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2023-04-28-ep-216-fets-fax-and-electrochemical-fab#t=543) ESP32 Speech Synthesizer and Retro Tech
- [16:27](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2023-04-28-ep-216-fets-fax-and-electrochemical-fab#t=987) Slow Movie Player and E-Ink Dithering
- [21:18](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2023-04-28-ep-216-fets-fax-and-electrochemical-fab#t=1278) Electrochemical Fabrication for Rocket Engines
- [25:25](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2023-04-28-ep-216-fets-fax-and-electrochemical-fab#t=1525) Op-Amp Noise Generator and Power Rails
- [31:08](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2023-04-28-ep-216-fets-fax-and-electrochemical-fab#t=1868) Thrift Store 1802 Computer and Quick Hacks
- [40:47](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2023-04-28-ep-216-fets-fax-and-electrochemical-fab#t=2447) FETs vs BJTs and High-Side Switching

## Topics

- [Mechanical engineering](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/mechanical-engineering)
- [Embedded firmware](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/embedded-firmware)
- [Analog & power electronics](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/analog-and-power-electronics)
- [Prototyping & iteration](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/prototyping)
- [AI & machine learning](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/ai-and-machine-learning)
- [Materials & manufacturing processes](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/materials-and-processes)

## Most relevant to

makers and hobbyists

## Mentioned

- Hackaday Prize (other)
- ESP32 (chip)
- Talkie library (tool)
- e-ink (material)
- 1802 CPU (chip)
- LM 358 (chip)
- FET (chip)
- BJT (chip)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Electromaker of the Month Winners, Maker Music Festival, and more!](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-electromaker-show/2022-03-10-electromaker-of-the-month-winners-maker-music-festival-and-more) (The Electromaker Show)
- [474: The Doublemint Gum Remote Control](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2025-03-07-474-the-doublemint-gum-remote-control) (Making It)
- [Vintage Tractor goes EV, Beautiful 1978 Radio Upcycle, $10 EdgeAI Camera, and more!](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-electromaker-show/2025-01-30-vintage-tractor-goes-ev-beautiful-1978-radio-upcycle-10-edgeai-camera-and-more) (The Electromaker Show)
- [ESP32 iPod, Super Fast E-Ink, Generative AI on the Edge, and more!](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-electromaker-show/2023-10-25-esp32-ipod-super-fast-e-ink-generative-ai-on-the-edge-and-more) (The Electromaker Show)
- [MNT Pocket Reform, Apple E-Ink display, Pi Pico Midi Step Sequencer, and more!](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-electromaker-show/2022-09-28-mnt-pocket-reform-apple-e-ink-display-pi-pico-midi-step-sequencer-and-more) (The Electromaker Show)

## Citing this page

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