# Ep 279: Solar Flares, Flash Cells, and Free Airline WiFi

- Show: [Hackaday Podcast](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast)
- Published: 2024-07-12
- Length: 51m
- Episode: 279
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2024-07-12-ep-279-solar-flares-flash-cells-and-free-airline-wifi
- Listen: https://hackaday.libsyn.com/ep-279-solar-flares-flash-cells-and-free-airline-wifi

## Summary

Hosts Elliot Williams and Al Williams discuss the bankruptcy of Shapeways, analyzing how falling capital costs for metal 3D printing and competition from cheap PCB services eroded its niche. They review several hacks, including Robert Heaton's 'Pi Sky Wi-Fi' which smuggles data via airline frequent flyer name fields, and a candle-powered LED lantern using Peltier elements. The episode also covers cavity filters, thermite iron casting, and long-form articles on the Solar Dynamics Observatory and flash memory technology.

## Chapters

- [0:06](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2024-07-12-ep-279-solar-flares-flash-cells-and-free-airline-wifi#t=6) Shapeways Bankruptcy and Metal Printing Economics
- [8:08](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2024-07-12-ep-279-solar-flares-flash-cells-and-free-airline-wifi#t=488) Pi Sky Wi-Fi: Smuggling Data via Airline Name Fields
- [14:33](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2024-07-12-ep-279-solar-flares-flash-cells-and-free-airline-wifi#t=873) Samsung Camera Cloud Dongle and Aviation Hobbies
- [26:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2024-07-12-ep-279-solar-flares-flash-cells-and-free-airline-wifi#t=1560) Cavity Filters and Candle-Powered LEDs
- [35:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2024-07-12-ep-279-solar-flares-flash-cells-and-free-airline-wifi#t=2100) Thermite Foundry and Quick Hacks
- [43:26](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2024-07-12-ep-279-solar-flares-flash-cells-and-free-airline-wifi#t=2606) Solar Dynamics Observatory and Flash Memory Explainer

## Topics

- [Wireless & RF](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/wireless-and-rf)
- [Materials & manufacturing processes](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/materials-and-processes)
- [Prototyping & iteration](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/prototyping)
- [Chips, FPGAs & semiconductors](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/chips-and-fpgas)
- [Maker community & events](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/maker-community)

## Most relevant to

makers and hobbyists

## Mentioned

- Shapeways (company)
- Pi Sky Wi-Fi (product)
- Robert Heaton (other)
- Solar Dynamics Observatory (product)
- Nate Sales (other)
- Cody's Lab (other)
- George (other)
- Samsung (company)
- Peltier generator (chip)
- BBC micro (product)
- Numatron tube (chip)
- 555 timer (chip)
- Forrest Mims (other)
- RadioShack (company)
- VA5MUD (other)
- Dan Maloney (other)
- Alec Teal (other)
- Technology Connections (other)
- Tom Lodchowski (other)
- Supercon (other)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Space Difficulties and Lost Heroes - Wanzing Workshop Whemmle](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2014-11-06-space-difficulties-and-lost-heroes-wanzing-workshop-whemmle) (The Amp Hour)
- [314: Why Are Wings Needed in Space?](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2019-12-20-314-why-are-wings-needed-in-space) (Embedded.fm)
- [Vecordious Vacation Variorum](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2012-02-14-vecordious-vacation-variorum) (The Amp Hour)
- [100: Unintentional Radiator](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2015-05-06-100-unintentional-radiator) (Embedded.fm)
- [Boeing, PCBs & Startups - Awful Airplane Aeration](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2013-01-29-boeing-pcbs-startups-awful-airplane-aeration) (The Amp Hour)

## Citing this page

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