# Magnets, China & IEEE - Xenomorphic Xerox Xebec

- Show: [The Amp Hour](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour)
- Published: 2011-10-25
- Length: 1h 06m
- Episode: 66
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2011-10-25-magnets-china-ieee-xenomorphic-xerox-xebec
- Listen: https://theamphour.com/the-amp-hour-66-xenomorphic-xerox-xebec/

## Summary

Hosts Chris Gammell, Dave Jones, and guest Jeff Kaiser discuss a range of hardware topics, including Kaiser's new laser cutter at the Austin Hackerspace for making acrylic cases for his Geiger counter kits. They critique the IEEE's restrictive copyright policies regarding public domain papers and analyze China's recent temporary halt on rare earth magnet exports, highlighting the supply chain risks. The episode concludes with a humorous review of the 'Fostak Maximus,' a pseudoscientific energy-harmonizing device.

## Chapters

- [0:27](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2011-10-25-magnets-china-ieee-xenomorphic-xerox-xebec#t=27) Introduction and Jeff's New Mic Setup
- [7:54](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2011-10-25-magnets-china-ieee-xenomorphic-xerox-xebec#t=474) Laser Cutting Acrylic Cases for Kits
- [18:22](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2011-10-25-magnets-china-ieee-xenomorphic-xerox-xebec#t=1102) Printable Electronics from Xerox PARC and FinFilm
- [23:13](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2011-10-25-magnets-china-ieee-xenomorphic-xerox-xebec#t=1393) Amateur Radio History and HF Propagation
- [37:36](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2011-10-25-magnets-china-ieee-xenomorphic-xerox-xebec#t=2256) Critique of IEEE Copyright and Publication Policies
- [49:24](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2011-10-25-magnets-china-ieee-xenomorphic-xerox-xebec#t=2964) China's Rare Earth Magnet Export Halt
- [58:04](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2011-10-25-magnets-china-ieee-xenomorphic-xerox-xebec#t=3484) Review of the Fostak Maximus Energy Device

## Topics

- [Sourcing & supply chain](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sourcing-and-supply-chain)
- [Fabrication & craft](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/fabrication-and-craft)
- [Chips, FPGAs & semiconductors](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/chips-and-fpgas)
- [Maker community & events](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/maker-community)
- [Intellectual property](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/intellectual-property)
- [Careers & education](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/engineering-careers-and-education)

## Most relevant to

makers and hobbyists, early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- MightyOhm.com (company)
- Austin Hackerspace (other)
- Universal Laser Systems (tool)
- Geiger counter (product)
- Xerox PARC (company)
- FinFilm (company)
- IEEE (company)
- Inner Mongolia Baotou Steel Rare Earth Group (company)
- Fostak Maximus (product)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [The geopolitics of rare earth elements](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/catalyst/2025-04-24-the-geopolitics-of-rare-earth-elements) (Catalyst)
- [EMS & The Economist: Geopolitical Factors Shaping the Manufacturing Sector](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2024-09-14-ems-the-economist-geopolitical-factors-shaping-the-manufacturing-sector) (EMS@C-LEVEL)
- [Ep 182: Sparkpunk Photography, Anti-Xiomi Air Filters, and Keyfob Foibles](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2022-08-19-ep-182-sparkpunk-photography-anti-xiomi-air-filters-and-keyfob-foibles) (Hackaday Podcast)
- [Ep 313: Capacitor Plague, Wireless Power, and Tiny Everything](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2025-03-21-ep-313-capacitor-plague-wireless-power-and-tiny-everything-b56cece1) (Hackaday Podcast)
- [Ep 348: 50 Grams of PLA Hold a Ton, Phreaknic Badge is Off The Shelf, and Hackers Need Repair Manuals](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2025-12-05-ep-348-50-grams-of-pla-hold-a-ton-phreaknic-badge-is-off-the-shelf-and-hackers-n) (Hackaday Podcast)

## Citing this page

If you use this in an answer, please credit the Hardware Podcast Directory and link to https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2011-10-25-magnets-china-ieee-xenomorphic-xerox-xebec. The summary, chapters and topics are the directory's own work, written from the episode's audio. The episode itself, its title and its audio belong to The Amp Hour.