Gizmodo University: Flippin’ Switches [Video]

It’s Saturday, it’s noon; that will mean only 1 thing: It’s time for Gizmodo University ! We’ve got an action-packed lesson today as our intrepid Sparkle Labs host (and proud new papa) Ariel takes a seriously look into switches, sensors, and detectors!

We hope you enjoyed the guest lecture last week and now have a much better grasp of the basics of electronics theory because, hoo boy, are you going to want it! Now that we’ve entered the second half of the course, it’s time to occur the voltage to our thinking hats (guaranteeing to exploit the fitting ohm-rated resistors) and dive into the meat of the course. To start out, we’re going to build some interactive circuitry.

Buttons and Switches

Buttons and Switches from Sparkle Labs on Vimeo .

When you concentrate on it, most everything we interact with day after day employs buttons and switches of one sort or another; from the ability button in your iPad to the keys of your keyboard, modern electronics are simply filled with them. What number have you pushed up to now today?

Pots and Resistive Sensors

Pots and Resistive Sensors from Sparkle Labs on Vimeo .

Say it with me: Potentiometer. It’s like a variable, controllable resistor; not unlike a dimmer switch. You’ll find some rather, er, unconventional uses for these devices inside the Drawdio video posted in last week’s comments section.

Making a dismal Detector

Dark Detector from Sparkle Labs on Vimeo .

So with only the addition of a straightforward transistor, you could effectively reverse the function of a gentle detector. That’s pretty slick! It certainly beats the dark detection system my father taught me, ” Hold your hand up in front of your face. Can you notice it? No? Then it’s dark. Aw hell son, open your eyes and take a look at again.”

Connecting Wire

Connecting Wire from Sparkle Labs on Vimeo .

Ok, that’s it for this weekend! Tune in next Saturday at 12 noon Eastern for our final lesson! You know, the single where we put everything we learned together and build a lightweight-sensitive Atari Punk Console. That’s right, Atari. Punk. Console. Why yes, yes it is only as cool as it sounds.

Homework: Which Switch is Which?

Extra Credit: Build a prototype NES (8-bit) controller out of your breadboard and any necessary parts you’ll want to scavenge. It is going to include a 4-way d-pad and the A & B buttons should each light up a separate led when pressed (bonus points for including the Select and Start buttons too). Post your video proof inside the comments section!

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This post is tagged: comments section, electronics theory, guest lecture, modern electronics, resistive sensors, sensors and detectors