# An Interview with Zach Fredin

- Show: [The Amp Hour](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour)
- Published: 2017-01-06
- Length: 1h 49m
- Episode: 330
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2017-01-06-an-interview-with-zach-fredin
- Listen: https://theamphour.com/330-an-interview-with-zach-fredin/

## Summary

Zach Fredin of NeuroTinker explains how he and partner Joe Berto built NeuroBytes, open-source electronic neuron simulators using ATtiny44A and ATtiny88 microcontrollers, to teach neuroscience in high schools and colleges. They secured an NSF SBIR grant by demonstrating commercial viability through pilot runs with Keytronic EMS, navigating strict R&D spending rules and component shortages like the doubling price of Atmel chips. The team is now developing curriculum and preparing for Phase 2 funding while managing manufacturing challenges with JST connectors and firmware optimization on STM32 platforms.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2017-01-06-an-interview-with-zach-fredin#t=0) Introduction: Zach Fredin and NeuroTinker
- [2:01](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2017-01-06-an-interview-with-zach-fredin#t=121) Origin Story: SketchUp Plugin to Electronic Neurons
- [8:17](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2017-01-06-an-interview-with-zach-fredin#t=497) Partnership with Joe Berto and NSF SBIR Grants
- [18:19](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2017-01-06-an-interview-with-zach-fredin#t=1099) Grant Application Strategy and Acceptance Rates
- [29:20](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2017-01-06-an-interview-with-zach-fredin#t=1760) Phase 1 Completion and Phase 2 Planning
- [33:23](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2017-01-06-an-interview-with-zach-fredin#t=2003) Manufacturing with Keytronic EMS and Component Sourcing
- [45:14](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2017-01-06-an-interview-with-zach-fredin#t=2714) Hardware Design: ATtiny88, STM32, and PCB Aesthetics
- [50:14](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2017-01-06-an-interview-with-zach-fredin#t=3014) NeuroBytes Connectivity: JST Connectors and Cable Logic
- [1:04:51](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2017-01-06-an-interview-with-zach-fredin#t=3891) Connector Reliability Testing and Durability Concerns
- [1:10:15](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2017-01-06-an-interview-with-zach-fredin#t=4215) Educational Market: High Schools, Colleges, and Curriculum
- [1:19:37](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2017-01-06-an-interview-with-zach-fredin#t=4777) New Hardware: FLIR Lepton and ESP32 Exploration
- [1:28:14](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2017-01-06-an-interview-with-zach-fredin#t=5294) Prototyping Philosophy and Soldering Techniques

## Topics

- [Crowdfunding & preorders](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/crowdfunding)
- [Manufacturing partners & offshoring](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/manufacturing-partners)
- [Microcontrollers & dev platforms](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/microcontrollers-and-platforms)
- [Sourcing & supply chain](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sourcing-and-supply-chain)
- [PCB design & layout](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pcb-design)
- [Embedded firmware](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/embedded-firmware)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- NeuroTinker (company)
- NeuroBytes (product)
- ATtiny44A (chip)
- ATtiny88 (chip)
- STM32F0 (chip)
- Keytronic EMS (company)
- JST (other)
- FLIR Lepton (chip)
- ESP32 (chip)
- Hackaday (other)
- SketchUp (other)
- National Science Foundation (company)
- Boston College (company)
- Boston Dynamics (company)
- Little Bits (company)
- Adafruit (company)
- SparkFun (company)
- Seeed Studio (company)
- DigiKey (other)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [44: Light Up Strikes Back](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2014-03-26-44-light-up-strikes-back) (Embedded.fm)
- [372: The Motivation of Creativity](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2021-05-06-372-the-motivation-of-creativity) (Embedded.fm)
- [90: Stick It in a Pumpkin](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2015-02-26-90-stick-it-in-a-pumpkin) (Embedded.fm)
- [359: You Can Never Have Too Many Socks (Repeat)](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2022-11-18-359-you-can-never-have-too-many-socks-repeat) (Embedded.fm)
- [388: Brains Generate EMF](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2021-09-30-388-brains-generate-emf) (Embedded.fm)

## Citing this page

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