blog posts

• Relating E = 1240/lambda to Physics 212's equation

  by Prof. SchmitzDec 8, 2016 9:15 am |  25,830  Views

  In class, we learned that the energy (in eV) in a photon of wavelength lambda (in nanometers) is given by

  E = 1240/lambda

  In physics 212, it is given by E = h_bar nu (Greek symbol, looks like a v). We can get from this equation to ours by first replacing nu (radian frequency in rad/s) with 2*pi*f (f is frequency in cycles/s). Now replace f with c/lambda (speed of light over wavelength). Since h_bar is a modified Planck's constant (h/(2*pi)), the 2*pi cancels giving:

  E = h_bar v = h_bar (2PIf) = h c/lambda = 1240/lambda

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• Two Informational Videos about Transistor Physics

  by Prof. SchmitzOct 26, 2016 11:00 am |  47  Views

  Good BJT video, 7 minutes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ukDKVHnac4

  Good 6-minute video leading through n-channel MOSFETs: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IcrBqCFLHIY

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• Projection Mapping

  by Nikhil ParmarOct 22, 2016 8:00 pm |  82  Views

  I saw this video on YouTube of some research going on in the University of Tokyo in projection mapping. Pretty cool stuff!

  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-bh1MHuA5jU

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• Converse All Wah

  by Umaiyal SridasOct 14, 2016 12:45 pm |  13  Views

  I really liked the whole idea of the Converse All-Wah, because not only was it aesthetically pleasing, but it also seems much more useful for the guitar player.  With the wah-wah integrated into the shoe, the guitar player has much more control over the sound he/she is creating and has more mobility, as they are not planted to the spot with the wah-wah pedal.  I was wondering how long the flex sensor lasted and how far the shoe could bend without the flex sensor breaking.  If the shoe becomes ineffective after a while, would you have to replace the whole shoe or can you just replace the flex sensor easily?

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• Converse sneaker's wah-wah petal

  by Prof. SchmitzSep 30, 2016 9:15 am |  82  Views

  https://www.elektormagazine.com/news/wah-wah-in-converse-sneakers?utm_source=Elektor+United+States+%28English%29&utm_campaign=57ece155b9-Pimped_sneakers_Magic_Eye_for_Win_10_Shi9_29_2016&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_8b7374950c-57ece155b9-234900001&mc_cid=57ece155b9&mc_eid=89b3c2149f

  "Aptly named All Wah, the sneakers type "high-top Chuck Taylor" function just like a traditional wah-wah pedal, and can be connected to an amp and guitar using the dual plugs on the side of the shoes. It then uses microsensor technology [...]"

  This is a great example of using sensors and an understanding of electronics to do something cool! Final design project, anyone?!

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• Ohm or Cavindesh?

  by Prof. SchmitzApr 8, 2016 8:30 am |  33  Views

  https://www.elektormagazine.com/news/ohm-s-law-revisited

   

  "Who doesn’t know Ohm’s Law? I am not sure, but I think it is taught to (and immediately forgotten by) most children of around 14, 15 years old. Georg Simon Ohm, born in Germany in 1789, published his now famous findings in 1827. Some forty years later the unit of electrical resistance became the ohm and it stuck so well that we still use it today. But did you know that... "

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• Holoportation!

  by Prof. SchmitzMar 30, 2016 8:30 am |  120  Views

  Put your engineering caps on...How could this be made even more cool?

   

  http://www.geek.com/microsoft/holoportation-microsoft-creates-living-memories-with-virtual-3d-teleportation-1650777/

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• Engineering Open House (EOH) 2016

  by Prof. SchmitzMar 10, 2016 11:00 am |  244  Views

  Engineering Open House 2016: The STEM of Innovation http://eoh.ec.uiuc.edu/

  Recommended sites to see:

  2015-16 ECE110 Honors ProjectECE110 Honors Class Projects from the ECE110 Honors Section.

  29th Annual Mid. Robotics Creative Design Competition. Location and Time:March 11 (9 AM - 4 PM),March 12 (9 AM - 3 PM) Kenney Gym Annex

  The Six Minute ECE BoothThe Six Minute ECE BoothEta Kappa NuJoin HKN’s exciting introduction to the world of Electrical and Computer Engineering! Try our hands-on demos covering a whole range of topics--circuits, motors, and optics. ECEB First Floor AtriumECEB First Floor Atrium

  Project Andy - 3D Printed RobotsProject Andy - 3D Printed RobotsIEEECome interact with Andy, a life-size 3D printed humanoid robot. Control a prosthetic hand, learn about rapid prototyping robots, and take home your own Andy keychain!ECEB First Floor AtriumECEB First Floor AtriumTAG-EnergyTAG-Energy

  Are you involved in others you would like to mention?!

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• No, NASA did NOT confirm that the EMDrive is legit

  by Derek WoodNov 6, 2015 4:00 am |  3  Views

  http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/outthere/2014/08/06/nasa-validate-imposible-space-drive-word/#.Vjx__vmrTWI

  Remember when it was reported scientists had discovered faster than light neutrinos a few years ago? Except they didn't, since they used a slightly shorter cable in one of their instruments? This is basically that all over again.

  I don't mean to offend anyone, it's just I'm sick of seeing this story sensationalized by the Daily Mail, Popsci, and other online sources, and then seeing it leak onto more reputable media.

  NASA is trying to distance itself from this, which is kind of how the scientists behind the debunked FTL neutrinos handled it. They let people know they did an experiment which doesn't seem quite right, and now they want to make sure everything checks out. Because odds are very likely that the laws of physics are in fact sound. And "NASA" isn't behind this. It's 5 guys who work for NASA.

  Can't we all speculate about Star Wars 7 first, and come back to this after it's been reviewed and put under some more scrutiny?

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• Nasa confirms 'impossible' EmDrive thruster is legit

  by Adhem HinnawiNov 4, 2015 9:15 pm |  148  Views

  http://finance.yahoo.com/news/nasa-latest-tests-show-physics-230112770.html

   

  What were everyone's thoughts on further confirmation that the proposed EmDrive at NASA actually works? For those of you who don't know, the EmDrive is basically a proposed engine proposed by a physicist that works by bouncing microwaves off the small end of a cone, which creates thrust without a reaction occuring, breaking the laws of physics. 

  Initial lab tests of the drive were performed over a year ago to positive results, but of course, the scientific method tells us that an experiment must be repeatable. This past week gave us a little bit more hope that the proposed drive could be practical. If it were, trips to Mars could take weeks rather than the months, and the next solar system could be reached within 30 years time. What a wonderful time to be alive. 

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