We’ll start this event with a demo by Bob Blackstock from Laminar Sciences Corporation: he’ll be bringing and demoing some patent-pending “streaming birefringence” devices that produce extraordinarily interesting and colorful flow visualizations.
It’s like a combination of kaleidoscope, Etch-a-Sketch, and Lava Lamp with swirling colors spontaneously appear then disappear. Bob is exploring aesthetic and technical applications for these devices, including flow visualization for fluid mechanics and aerodynamics. After Bob’s demo, we’ll be breaking into an “Open Hack”: bring your scrap junk, ideas, in-progress devices, and completed projects. We’ll bring out the tables and tools and hack away and chat for about an hour.
At the end of the event, we’ll be announcing and taking registrations for our “Dorkbake” contest. Basically, people can register in the contest to have a month to build an oven using only a 100-watt incandescent for heat. The event finale is a cook-off to be held on February 3rd 2007, where contestantsare judged on flavor, engineering and aesthetics. MAKE and CRAFT are giving away subscriptions, Machine Project is giving away a free class or two, and some books. There may even be more prizes. Mark Frauenfelder and Carla Sinclair (MAKE and CRAFT editors) are going to judge. Other impressive judges are in the works. Contest details will be announced at the event.
And, as if this wasn’t enough encouragement, the winner of the contest will also win a photo of their project in the beautiful hardcopy of MAKE. So, come on out… and bring your friends, gear, and ideas.