Dorkbot SoCal 20 January 6, 2007

Laminar Sciences, Open Hack, with Dorkbake Contest Announcement / Registration

We'll start this event with a demo by Bob Blackstock from Laminar Sciences Corporation: he'll be bringing and demoing some patent-pending "streaming birefringence" devices that produce extraordinarily interesting and colorful flow visualizations. It's like a combination of kaleidoscope, Etch-a-Sketch, and Lava Lamp with swirling colors spontaneously appear then disappear. Bob is exploring aesthetic and technical applications for these devices, including flow visualization for fluid mechanics and aerodynamics. See http://www.laminarsciences.com/id11.html for videos of this gear in action.

After Bob's demo, we'll be breaking into an "Open Hack": bring your scrap junk, ideas, in-progress devices, and completed projects. We'll bring out the tables and tools and hack away and chat for about an hour. This is a great opportunity to get help with your almost/semi/barely/non functional projects. Beginners very welcome.

We'll also be announcing and taking registrations for our "Dorkbake" contest. Contestants have a month to build an desktop oven using only a 100 watt incandescent light bulb for heat. The event finale is a cook off to be held on February 3rd 2007, where contestants are judged on flavor, engineering and aesthetics. Make Magazine and Craft are giving away subscriptions, Machine Project is giving away a free class or two, and some books. There may even be more prizes. Mark Frauenfelder and Carla Sinclair (Make and Craft editors) are going to judge. Other impressive judges are in the works. Contest details will be announced at the event. And, as if this wasn't enough encouragement, the winner of the contest will also win a photo of their project in the beautiful hardcopy of Make magazine. Co-sponsored by Superbunker and MAKE magazine

dorkbot website
dorkbake website

Official Website: http://www.dorkbot.org/dorkbotsocal/