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Firmata link between processing and arduino

The simplest way to get processing and the arduino to talk is by loading the
standardFirmata sketch onto the arduino. This recognizes whether pins are inputs or outputs based on the processing code.

Then on processing I am using a simple code to display data
firmataReadAnalogMultipleandDigital.pde which reads analog pins and a digital pin

DC motor control with 556 timer

Using a 556 timer chip, control of a DC motor using PWM works well - this from the pages of MAKE: 23. Used to drive a Solarbotics gearbox motor, also excellent for changing timing delays and with 2 pots can adjust interval and also duration of pulses.

I used this to press the shutter button on a hacked Canon A70 camera for a timelapse camera.

Deck vegetable gardening

from homegrownevolution blog



SIP hacker and horticultural Internet hero Josh Mandel's original pdf instructions for how to make your own.

Mandel's revised instructions with thoughts on how to eliminate the use of PVC plastics when building a SIP.

Where to buy a SIP: earthbox.com. Even if you build your own, you should follow the Earthbox company's user guide for how to fill the box, what kind of soil to use and how to fertilize.

For a nice example of rooftop and window gardening with SIPs see the Green Roof Growers of Chicago.

Ohio State University Extension Service's list of vegetable varieties for container gardening. These are varieties with smaller root systems that do well in small pots.

Firmata link between processing and arduino

Now running a sketch in processing that reads the values of 3 sensors, actually potentiometers for testing. Displays values as bars in processing, and the circle is colored RGB by these values.

Welcome to whirlyworld blog

Migrating to blogger from word press - lets see how that goes

Arduino based dissolved oxygen probe

BFC Tav Rocks

Originally uploaded by whirlymark

The benthic flux chamber on the ocean floor with the dissolved oxygen probe installed. An arduino microcontroller records the data and saves it to an EEPROM in a underwater housing. This one at Tav Rocks near Key largo worked like a charm.

Pinhole camera in Times Square

timeSquareDownSt, originally uploaded by whirlymark.

My P-Sharan Wide angle pinhole camera worked like a charm in Time Square. Colors look great as well

Firmata and contro of arduino from PC

Good explanation of firmata using processing and also here, and then the version for Visual Basic

Laser cut clock wheels and gears

Authenticity in the Age of its Technological Reproducibility
Sang Hyeon Cho
IM Master

Through this clock Cho explored the possibilities of making authentic objects in a technological age. I also have to point out the impressive use of laser cutting. (Try out your own design with Ponoko Make.)

Degradation over time

Great display of fungal degradation over time using plastics:



Continuous Bodies
Maurizio Montalti
IM Master

For this project Montalti worked with a group of scientists to explore the possibilities of using fungi to solve problems. The images show experiments with decomposing plastic. On the left in the second image is what the experiment looked like in December 2009, and on the right is what it looks like now, 10 months later. Considering we hear so much about how long it takes plastic to decompose, these experiments could have enormous benefit.