Tag: Science

Warmth for Science Geeks

I know a number of our American readers are unreasonably warm and toasty in some kind of freakish heatwave, but those of us in the Frigid North (and, one presumes, also in some parts of the southern hemisphere) still have over a foot of snow to deal with. So forgive me, oh sufferers of 80+ degree temperatures, for sharing this awesome thing I found! (Consider it a possibility for very early start on making a Christmas list?)

These scarves, made by Becky Stern (homepage, Etsy) display elemental emission spectra. Silicon, uranium, and mercury are currently in stock, but you can also get a custom one of any other element you like, with some delay and possibly a little extra cost. (I found this applet linked from the Wikipedia page, if you want to choose an element that appeals to you. I definitely want Cobalt, no question.)

Gather ’round children, as I weave you a tale of isotropes and kilowicks…

Developed in 1869 by the Russian chemist Dmitri Mendeleev to help illustrate commonalities in the various properties of elements, the Periodic Table has been both boon and bane to high school chemistry students around the world (my own experiences fell definitely to the “bane” side.)

Fast forward about 140 years, and we have a more modern version, and infinitely more useful, thanks to James the ComputerSherpa. In his first Visual Design class he came up with this little beauty – the Periodic Table of Storytelling.

Periodic Table of Storytelling, by ComputerSherpa

James really did his research, turning to TVTropes.org for inspiration and information on “tropes” –  which TVTropes defines as “devices and conventions that a writer can reasonably rely on as being present in the audience members’ minds and expectations.” Writers (and Hollywood types) can use these fictional elements to craft endless variations of story lines. Being a wiki, TVTropes has vast quantities of information and discussion threads, so James’ graphical version of the Periodic Table is a real timesaver.

Beyond the concept as a whole, I love the examples at the bottom, illustrating how one might describe certain shows, movies, games, etc, using formulas based on this Periodic Table.  For instance, when you combine:

  •  A Five-Man Band (5ma – made up of a Hero, Lancer, Smart Guy, Big Guy, and a Chick)
  • Conflict (C)
  • The Empire (Emp)
  • Dragon-The Chosen One-You Have Failed Me (DraNeoFai)

…and you get Star Wars. Not sure about the “Dragon” element on this one, but then, I have mentioned my chemistry is not my super power.

James very kindly put the image up for purchase as a poster – it would be fun to sit around with a bunch of geeks and work out formulas for various shows and book storylines. Maybe I’ll have to get one for my son to take to college in the fall, for he will surely find himself a gang of geeks to hand out with, and I wouldn’t want them to run out of things to talk about.

[Via: BitRebels]

Germy Genius

http://cornflowerbluestudio.blogspot.com/2012/02/petri-dish-mini-quilt.htmlI am in love (that’s the only Valentine’s reference you’re getting. I’m one of those awful smug-coupled types who ignores Val’s day because they can have romance any old day they want. Sorry.) with this Petri dish mini quilt by Rachel over at  Cornflower Blue Studio.

It uses all different kinds of embroidery thread and quilting to make it a really touchable textured piece – perfect for people like me who always want to poke the squishy agar but normally have to refrain for fear of contamination; this one you can play with all you like.

Rachel is entering this piece into The Festival of Alabama Fibre Arts, where she will also be teaching a hyperbolic crochet class. I’m sure we all wish her well with the competition, and all of us not living in the Southern US are a little jealous that we won’t get to come learn from such an uber-geek-crafter.

Cornflower Blue Studio – Rachel’s blog

Cornflower Blue Studio Etsy Shop (Rachel also sells from her blog)

Mini Petri Dish Quilt

Festival of Alabama Fibre Arts

READER SUBMISSION: Amigurumi Bacteriophage

e-coli killer Never heard of a bacteriophage? That makes two of us. Rachael Penzo wants to change all of that! Calling them “the coolest thing in the entire universe”, she explained that bacteriophage is, in fact, a virus that attacks bacteria, e-coli in particular. She made this adorable “Teeto” (T2 is a type of bacteriophage) to pay homage to these little e-coli killers, and sent me several pictures of her Amigurumi Bacteriophage from her photobucket account.

Sadly, Rachael doesn’t have them on a blog, so this picture will have to suffice. He’s a cute little “bug” isn’t he?

EDIT: Ask and ye shall receive! Rachael decided to feature TeeToo here on Craftster, so you can read more about him and see more photos! She also mentions that this little guy will be featured in the Science Museum‘s Stitched Science display in Central London.

Tutorial Tuesday! Teddy Bear Labcoat!

Another one from me, on the Geeky Sweetheart blog you can now find a  pattern and tutorial to make a super cute lab coat … for your teddy bear!

I was asked by a friend to make this, and was surprised to find that there didn’t seem to be any patterns or tutorials on the internet, BAD internet. Anyhow, since I had to draft the pattern myself I thought I’d share it with you all.

Come on Geekcrafters, lets do SCIENCE!

 

Slime Mold Quilt

You know you’re a geek when you say something like: “I’d love it if some one made me a microbe quilt”. That’s exactly what waggonswest‘s Mini Art Quilt Swap 4 partner said, and this is the result! It’s not very often you get to say how pretty mold is. The quilt is based on a picture from the Scientific American webpage. Waggonswest painted, fused, embroidered, and beaded this quilt, making it an epic work of art.