All posts by Steve Dickie

arduino, electronics, processing

Arduino – eeePC Nightmare!!!

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So, I decided to totally change the way I teach my electronics class. It will now center around the Arduino microcontroller, a platform that uses an Atmel ATmega 64/128 microcontorller. Anyway, I don’t really have enough laptops to go around, so I scrounged some funds together and bought two of the Asus eeePC 2G Surfs. I figured these would be just about perfect.

Problem #1: Java, which is needed for Arduino doesn’t come on the 2G Surf. So, after searching for a way to get it on the 2G Surf for a few hours I find it. It installs and all is good.

Problem #2: To really make the Arduino sing I also need Processing. Unfortunately there’s not enough room left to fit it.

Problem #3: After a bit more searching I find a way to delete stuff I’m never going to need (like Chinese language support) from the eeePC. Unfortunately this makes no space available to me.

Apparently there are two main partitions on the eeePC. One for the user to do whatever they want and one that the user really can’t touch. All the programs come installed in the one the user really can’t touch.

Solution? After maybe 10 hours yesterday and another 7 hours today I think I may have this licked. I’ll write up process and post it to FLOSScience for those interested. If I’m right I should be able to capture am image of my one working one and put it on the other one. This would take less than 5 minutes, otherwise I’ll be looking at at least another 2-3 hours to get the other one set.

Better Solution? Get the 4G version ($50 more).

arduino, electronics, programming

Arduino or PICAXE?

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This is a pretty geeky post… You’ve been warned.

Among the courses I teach is electronics. It is a one semester course, where we cover basic theory in the first half of the semester and students breadboard circuits for the second half of the semester. I inherited the course and its general structure from the previous electronics teacher and it seems to work pretty well.

Anyway, I’ve been thinking about changing it. I’ve been wanting to incorporate microprocessors into the course for some time, but I’ve been daunted with either the price tag or for the cheap stuff with the technical know-how that I just don’t have. By bringing in microprocessors I can also get students doing some programming . Additionally, a lot of electronics these days includes embedded microprocessors.

Enter the PICAXE and Arduino micro-controllers. Both can be had relatively cheaply and are fairly easy to program. Unfortunately I discovered these at about the same time. If I only knew about one of them I’d have been content to buy a bunch and get to work redesigning my course. As it stands right now, I have no idea which one to choose. So I’m writing this post to get my ideas down and I’m partly hoping for some insight from potential experts.

PICAXE: The PICAXE micro-controller is a Pic based chip that has a bootloader loaded onto it allowing for a very simply programming cable to be used. It can be programmed using a form of basic or with a flow chart based interface. There are some great guides online for its use, but they’d have to be edited a bit to make them usable for my course. There are multiple versions of this chip with different numbers of inputs/outputs. The programming is slightly different from chip to chip.

Pros: Cost. The chip (8M) itself costs less than $4. Theoretically students could easily make permanent projects with this. Basic programming: I know basic and basic programming is relatively easy.

Cons: The 8M, the chip I’d focus on, is a bit limited. There are other chips we could add in, but their structure is different. Apparently limited availability. I’d really have to plan ahead to ensure I had the supplies I’d need (unless I want to order from the UK). Windows only.

Arduino: This board is really a Basic Stamp replacement. I’d thought it was going to be outside of the price range I’d set for the course, but then I found a supplier who supplies a version that I can get for $11/board in bulk. The programming for this chip is in a C++ like language. There is also a lot online support for this board and at least one project designing a course in basic electronics with the Arduino as the platform.

Pros: Expandability. This chip has some wickedly cool potential. It interfaces circuitry directly with a computer easily, making it possible to create circuits that control or respond to functions on the computer. Support for Mac, WinXP, and Linux.

Cons: I don’t know C++ or any other object oriented programming language. More expensive so it would cost more for students to make permanent projects.

I guess the bottom line is the PICAXE is probably simpler to start using but while the Arduino has a steeper learning curve at the start it allows for more advanced functions more easily. At least I think. Right now I’m leaning towards the Arduino. I’ve already got one independant student working with the PICAXE. I’ll get a couple working with the Arduino this semester as well and see what they all think.

physics, probeware

My Stuff from the NECC

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Well, as of this morning my handouts still haven’t appeared on the ISTE-NECC site for my session, so I’ve converted my pdf files to jpg and uploaded them to Picasa Web Albums (owned by Google).

Here are all the handouts I had posted to the backboard behind my table. I created them using Comic Life on my MacBook.

I also have them as pdf files. If you’d like a copy of the pdfs just shoot me an email and I’ll send them along (falconphysics@gmail.com)

You may also want to see my step by step instructions over on instructables.com

physics, probeware

Me at the NECC

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I’ve been hurriedly getting my stuff together for the upcoming NECC. I’d be doing great as far as time goes if it weren’t for the fact that I’m also working with a team of students who are trying to finish their invention project. They won a Lemelson-MIT InvenTeams grant and will be presenting their project in Boston from June 19th thru the 23rd. I’ll be going with them, which will be cool, but I’m running out of time!!!

Any way, on with my stuff. I’ve been uploading directions to Instructables.com. This site is pretty cool and they have a competition running right now where the best project wins a laser cutter. While I don’t think I’ll win the laser maybe they will send me a free T-Shirt. Although if I do somehow with the laser cutter the science club next year will have the best fund raisers ever.

Below you will find links to the projects I’ve submitted so far. I will have at least one or two more to put up yet before I’m ready for Atlanta.

I’ve been contemplating ways I can use Instructables in class. I’ve used some of the projects either for demos or student projects, but I haven’t had students upload their own yet. Their had been a problem with the Instructables web site and our network firewall, but this seems to have been resolved. Next year I’ll have to use this. I just have to figure out a good way that won’t swamp the site with 90 projects for the same thing.

physics

CD Diffraction and quick fun bits for teaching light

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Well, the FOCUS Workshop/DMAPT Meeting was Awesome!!! I learned lots, and have probably already forgotten some great stuff.

I presented CD Diffraction and there was a question about how to remove the label from the back of a CD. I’ve never been good at this, and said as much. Some people just have the knack while most don’t. One of the audience members came to my rescue. He is one of the editors of ArborScientific’s Cool Stuff Newsletter (which is great btw). In Newsletter 22 they covered CD Diffraction and the used packing tape to remove the label.

Apparently you can just wrap the tape, sticky side out, around you hand and then just press down on the label and the tape will peel it off. Brilliant!!! The added bonus is you aren’t left with little foil bits scattered around the classroom.

More Diffraction
Find the diameter of a hair.

  1. Point a laser pointer at a hair. You will see a diffraction pattern on the wall.
  2. How do you line it all up? Tape the hair to the laser so that it is draped over the front.
  3. Measure the distance to the screen and the distance from the laser spot to the bands.
  4. Plug the numbers into the same formula from the CD Spacing activity from my last post.

Model DNA X-Ray Diffraction.

  • Same instructions as above, but use a 2-ply thread instead of a hair.
  • The 2-ply thread is a double helix
  • Shine on a screen or piece of paper
  • You should see a pattern similar to the X-Ray Diffraction picture that led to the discovery of DNA’s structure.
  • The picture to the right is Rosalind Franklin’s picture that was used by Watson and Crick.

I’ll try to post more stuff from the Workshop over the next few days.

physics

DMAPT Optics – CD Diffraction

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The Detroit Metropolitan Area Physics Teachers will be meeting at the University of Michigan today (Feb. 3, 2007). We are being hosted by the FOCUS Center.

As a part of the meeting we, the physics teachers will be sharing our own tips, labs, and demos with the other teachers as well. I will be sharing a cool use for old CDs. You know, the ones you used for backups and don’t need anymore or ones that didn’t burn correctly.

CDs use a diffraction grating to align the laser with the data on the disk. This is why we see rainbows on the bottom of the disks. You can use this property to make a simple spectroscope. A spectroscope allows you to see the spectrum of light you’re looking at. You’ve probably seen a demonstration of a prism separating white light into a rainbow of colors. A spectroscope will do the same thing. The fun part is that all lights do not give off the same spectrum. You will see distinct bands rather than a continuous spectrum.

There are several links on the web showing you how to make a CD Spectroscope, my favorite is one by Alan Schwabacher at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

I’ve but a few of these together. In general the more time you spend the nicer it will look, but you only need about 5 minutes to make a functional spectroscope capable of illustrating the differences between incandescent and fluorescent lights.

Another fun thing to do with old CDs (or DVDs) is to experimentally determine to groove spacing. Diffraction Gratings work because they have a series of fine grooves, too small for us to see. CDs are not truly diffraction gratings as they have no grooves, but actually have lines of pits that effectively act as a grating. The colors are separated due to interference. At smaller angles the shorter wavelengths of light will constructively interfere so we see violets and blues while at higher angles we see constructive interference in the longer wavelengths.

In order to determine the groove spacing you need only an old CD a single point light source (light bulb) and a ruler. The whole activity is outlined in a guide put together by General Atomics. You’ll want the section on the Electromagnetic Spectrum, specifically lab 3b.

In the basic setup you want the light behind you. You hold the CD up and try to center the reflection of the light in the center of the CD (i.e. in the hole so you can’t see it). Then while keeping the reflection in the hole you slowly bring the CD closer to your eye until you see a circular rainbow extending around the whole CD (you have to get it pretty close to your face, so your head may obscure part of the light). You then simply measure the distance from the CD to your eye and the distance from the center of the CD to a band of color that you know the wavelength for. In the General Atomics activity they use 450 nm for violet. I will often use red (620 nm) as well. You then plug the data into the formula and you get your answer.

Another way you can do this activity is to peel the label off the disk. I’m not very good at this, but I know it can be done. You can then look through the CD at the light. Again, you center the light in the hole and bring the disk towards your face. Sometimes when you buy a stack of CDs they will include one with no label. The picture below was taken through one of these.

You can even see where there are some scratches on part of the disk. Interestingly the violet band does not show up in the picture. I could see it, but the ccd in my camera failed to capture it.

physics, probeware

Instructables

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I’ve been enjoying many of the projects on Instructables from some time. Today I contributed my first project.

Instructables is a site for people to “share what they do and how they do it.” It is an incredible site. There are projects on nearly any subject you can think of including: cooking, electronics, robotics, catapult making, programming, paper airplane making… the list goes on and on. Anyone can see them, but if you create a login ID you can comment on the projects or ask questions of the project creators. A login is also required to submit your own projects.

The project submission process is no more complicated than writing a blog entry and there is the possibility to collaborate on projects through the site, although I haven’t tried this yet. Even if you don’t use the collaboration tools on the projects, the ability to leave and receive comments can lead to an informal collaboration. Within a few hours of posting my project it had already been commented on and I was able to elaborate a bit to make everything more clear.

My project deals with the creation of the solar cell probeware I’ve outlined previously. In the future I’ll be adding more instructables detailing how to use the probe and software (Audacity and Visual Analyser) for a variety of lab activities or teacher demonstrations.

I’m considering incorporating this site in future student building projects. I’ve already referenced it for my electronics students and some students searching for good science fair projects.

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probeware

Way Cool Probeware

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I just managed to acquire more HOBO data loggers. Now I need to play with them so I can demo them at the meetings I’ll be presenting at in October (DMAPT Oct. 3, MDSTA Oct. 21, and hopefully MiAAPT Oct. 14). I’ve played with some of their other products before and have been impressed with their ease of use, portability, and affordability. Now I’m even more impressed.

About a year ago Onset Computers and the HOBO Depot released their first pendant logger, which measures light and temperature. The pendant loggers are fully sealed and waterproof. They communicate with the computer through an optical coupler plugged into a USB port. There is a magnetic switch inside the pendant to tell it when it is in the coupler. The switch can be used, with a magnet, to trigger the logger to begin taking data.

The basic HOBO interface is easy to use and quick to master. You plug the HOBO into the computer and then use the HOBO software to configure the logger. You “launch” the logger and put it somewhere you want to record data. The logger will collect and store data until its memory is full or you connect it to the computer again. The data are stored and plotted. The data can also be exported into Excel or another spreadsheet to be analyzed.

Until recently the main focus of the HOBO loggers has been environmental (light, temp, humidity). The newest logger is aimed squarely at physics. The new pendant measures acceleration/gravity. It contains a three axis accelerometer and is capable of collecting data much more quickly than the older loggers. The g-pendant can take up to 100 samples per second. The older loggers won’t log data faster than once a second.

G-Pendant Stats:

  • Max 3 g in any one direction (very easy to max out)
  • Should survive a drop from 3.5 m
  • Accuracy: 0.753 m/s^2
  • Operating range -20 Deg. C to 50 Deg. C
  • Submersible up to 30 m
  • Weight 18 g
  • Cost – Complete Kit: $99 (until January), Individual Pendant: $69 (volume discount available)

I put the G-Pendant in the hands of a couple students I had in physics last year to see what they could do with it. After extensive training (about 2 minutes worth) they were off and running and having lots of fun. Below you can see the results of one of their experiments.

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probeware

Cheap Probeware

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iScience Project is clearing out their stock of Serial Hobos for really low prices, but you have to act before August 25th, 2006.

Officially it’s an Auction with a minumum bid of $18 for a kit or $35 for buy it now (normally $139/kit).

That buys you a small device (half the size of a deck of cards) that will record temperature, light, and humidity. It also comes with an external temperature probe on a 6′ lead (so you can take two temps at the same time).

Hobo’s are pretty cool. You plug them into the computer and use their software to set them up (what type of data to record and how often a reading is taken). Then you unplug it and leave it where you’re collecting data. Once done you plug it back in and download the data to the computer.

These are cheap enough you could send them home with your kids for at home experimentation. There are hundreds of activities on the iScience Project page to use with Hobos if you can’t think of any yourself.

They also have a loaner program so you can borrow Hobo’s before you buy and there is usually some sort of contest you can enter to win a Hobo as well.

I’ve played with some Hobo’s and will be more than happy to share my thoughts with you. AFAIK the serial ones are Windows only. They do sell USB ones that will work with Mac OS 10.2 or later (but they’er not super cheap right now)

Here’s the info for the auction:

The Auction will begin now and end at 12 noon EST on Friday August 25, 2006. You will be notified by email within 24 hours 1) when you are the high bidder and 2) when you have been outbid. On Friday August 25 from 8AM until Noon (EST) you will be notified instantly. There will be a minimum bid of $18 per kit and $10 per individual HOBO to cover the cost of a new battery, shipping and the full 1 year warranty that will come with your HOBO. You can also use the “Buy it Now” option to own it immediately. All transactions must be on a Visa, Mastercard, AMEX or a school PO.

FAQ – What is demo stock at The HOBO Depot and Onset Computer Corporation? Any product that ever has been returned used or unused and any product that ever had a blemish or misprint on the casing. All of our demo stock has fully functioning components that we warrant for a full year. If any product is not working we guarantee we will replace it ASAP. All of these products come with a PC serial port connection and serial port cable (9 pin trapezoid). You would either need an available serial port (older computers have them) or a new serial to USB Keyspan adapter ($39 at any store that sells computers). All of these kits come with free PC Boxcar 4.3 software which is compatible with Win98 to WinXP and one free serial (9 pin) cable and one new battery.

So here you go – just put in your bid (minimum $18 for kits & $10 for the individual HOBO units).

#1) “Brand New” boxed serial HOBO Henry Kits – Minimum Bid =$18, My Bid =_$, or Buy it Now = $35 Each (Sells for $139) Includes (1) H08-004-02 HOBO data logger (Temp/RH/Light/Ext), (1) 6 Ft External Temp Cable, (1) PC Serial Cable, (1) HOBO Henry & Activity Book, 300 Labs on CD, (1) BoxCar PC Software

#2) Demo Serial Intro Kits – Minimum Bid =$18, My Bid =_$, or Buy it Now = $30 Each (Sells for $139) Includes (1) H08-004-02 HOBO data logger (Temp/RH/Light/Ext), (1) 6 Ft External Temp Cable, (1) PC Serial Cable, (1) BoxCar PC Software

#3) Demo HOBOs only – Minimum Bid =$10, My Bid =_$, or Buy it Now = $18 Each (Sells for $95) Includes (1) H08-004-02 HOBO data logger (Temp/RH/Light/Ext) or any HOBO on this web page and that is all. We assume you want the H08-004-02 unless you indicate differently. Great place to stock up on class sets.

#4) Demo External 6 Foot Temperature sensor TMC6- HA (same specs as TMC6-HD that replaced the HA) – Minimum Bid =$10, My Bid =_$, or Buy it Now = $18 Each (Sells for $30) Includes (1) TMC6-HA Sensor and that is all.

#5) Demo HOBO H9 Shuttle Data Transporters H09- 003-08 – Minimum Bid =$18, My Bid =_$, or Buy it Now = $30 Each (Sells for $159) Includes (1) H09- 003-08 HOBO H9 Shuttle Data Transporter – Perfect for collecting the data out in the field for up to 50 of your Demo HOBOs on one Shuttle (Palm like HOBO data storage).

Auction Contact Information
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
email: rich@hobodepot.com
phone: 877-564-4377
web: http://www.hobodepot.com

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physics, probeware

Do solar cells react fast enough?

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A friend asked me this question when I shared my idea of using one as a light probe. I replied by asking are they fast enough for what?

Here is my VCR remote control. The first track is channel up and the second is channel down. If you look close you can see differences in the patterns. The IR from the remote is easily picked up by the solar cell.

The second picture shows the fluorescent light in my basement and my computer monitor respectively. The monitor is set to 85 Hz, I was able to determine this in Audacity. Actually I got a value of 84.8 Hz, but I figure that’s close enough.