A motley collection of ideas
I came across the printed circuit board for this circuit completely by accident. It looked like an interesting and clever little design, and I had more than enough suitable parts lying around in my component drawers, including a pile of spare relays. So I decided to build one and measure what it could actually do. … Read more
Different types of tea release their flavor compounds at different rates: delicate green teas reach their peak after about 3 minutes, while robust black teas often need closer to 5, and strong herbal infusions may benefit from the full 7. Steeping too briefly can leave the flavor underdeveloped, while leaving the leaves in too long … Read more
Anyone even slightly familiar with electronics knows the NE555 IC. This almost iconic timer circuit was designed in the summer of 1971 by Hans R. Camenzind, a Swiss-born electrical engineer who taught at Northeastern University in Boston. Yes, we’re the same age! It’s not the “greatest” IC because it’s the largest in size or the … Read more