# Ep 283: Blinding Lasers, LEDs, and ETs

- Show: [Hackaday Podcast](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast)
- Published: 2024-08-09
- Length: 1h 02m
- Episode: 283
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2024-08-09-ep-283-blinding-lasers-leds-and-ets
- Listen: https://hackaday.libsyn.com/ep-283-blinding-lasers-leds-and-ets

## Summary

Hackaday editors Elliot Williams and Al Williams discuss a variety of hardware hacks, starting with a cautionary tale about laser safety involving a high-power neodymium YAG laser that damaged a vehicle and injured personnel. They then explore creative uses of LEDs as light sensors for data transmission, a Raspberry Pi Pico-based USB sniffer, and a method for over-molding wires using hot glue and 3D printed molds. The episode concludes with reflections on CRT aesthetics in pixel art and long-form articles on DIY 'cyborg' time-management devices and the HF Global Communications System (HFGCS) used for nuclear command and control.

## Chapters

- [0:01](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2024-08-09-ep-283-blinding-lasers-leds-and-ets#t=1) Introduction and Supercon 2024
- [6:01](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2024-08-09-ep-283-blinding-lasers-leds-and-ets#t=361) Laser Safety Incident and Best Practices
- [16:50](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2024-08-09-ep-283-blinding-lasers-leds-and-ets#t=1010) Detecting Faster-Than-Light Travel
- [19:03](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2024-08-09-ep-283-blinding-lasers-leds-and-ets#t=1143) Programming LEDs as Sensors
- [28:03](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2024-08-09-ep-283-blinding-lasers-leds-and-ets#t=1683) Raspberry Pi Pico USB Sniffer
- [29:58](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2024-08-09-ep-283-blinding-lasers-leds-and-ets#t=1798) CRT Artifacts and Pixel Art Nostalgia
- [37:04](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2024-08-09-ep-283-blinding-lasers-leds-and-ets#t=2224) Over-molding Wires with Hot Glue
- [40:55](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2024-08-09-ep-283-blinding-lasers-leds-and-ets#t=2455) Quick Hacks: Odometers, Trackpads, and EMPs
- [45:08](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2024-08-09-ep-283-blinding-lasers-leds-and-ets#t=2708) Can't Miss: DIY Cyborg Time Management
- [51:35](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2024-08-09-ep-283-blinding-lasers-leds-and-ets#t=3095) Can't Miss: HFGCS Nuclear Communications

## Topics

- [Debugging & failure analysis](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/debugging-and-failure-analysis)
- [Sensors & measurement in products](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sensors)
- [Microcontrollers & dev platforms](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/microcontrollers-and-platforms)
- [Industrial & consumer product design](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/industrial-design)
- [Materials & manufacturing processes](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/materials-and-processes)
- [Careers & education](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/engineering-careers-and-education)

## Most relevant to

makers and hobbyists

## Mentioned

- Supercon (other)
- Taco Bell (company)
- McDonald's (company)
- neodymium YAG laser (other)
- LIGO (other)
- CHOO3 (chip)
- Raspberry Pi Pico (chip)
- Wireshark (tool)
- Cool Retro Terminal (tool)
- Apollo workstation (other)
- Wordstar (tool)
- HFGCS (other)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Our First Call In Show](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2015-11-06-our-first-call-in-show) (The Amp Hour)
- [184: Not Likely, Possible, or Safe](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2017-01-18-184-not-likely-possible-or-safe) (Embedded.fm)
- [50.0000 Ohms](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2024-05-31-50-0000-ohms) (The Amp Hour)
- [85: Stalked by Hoopers and Engineers](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2015-01-21-85-stalked-by-hoopers-and-engineers) (Embedded.fm)
- [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)

## Citing this page

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