Category Archives: Projects

N2 TEA Laser Build – Part 4: Circuit & Safety Wiring

Circuit & Safety Wiring. The most critical step now is the wiring. We need to complete the Blumlein circuit and, most importantly, prepare the wiring for the Safety that makes this kit more suitable for classrooms, etc… Triple-Threat Safety Imperative: READ THIS FIRSTTHIS PROJECT INVOLVES THREE DISTINCT LETHAL/HARMFUL HAZARDS. DO NOT ATTEMPT REPLICATION WITHOUT ADVANCED HIGH-VOLTAGE EXPERIENCE AND PROPER VENTILATION.1.  Lethal High Voltage: The  circuit is lethal. NEVER touch the circuit when power is applied. All components must be contained within a grounded, non-conductive enclosure with safety interlocks before operation.2.  Harmful UV Radiation: The laser emits deep ultraviolet () light (around ). This radiation is invisible, damaging to the retina, and can cause skin burns. NEVER look into the beam or at the spark without certified UV-blocking eye protection.3.  Toxic Ozone Production: The high-energy discharge generates ozone () gas (a toxic air pollutant). Operation must be limited to short bursts and always performed in a well-ventilated area or under forced exhaust. Classroom Use: Replication in any educational setting requires direct, professional supervision and a fully interlocked safety enclosure system.

N2 TEA Laser Build – Part 2: The 10 kV Concept

N2 TEA Laser Build – Part 2: The 10 kV Concept – Okay, I'm ready to pull back the curtain! I'm building a Nitrogen (N2) TEA (Transversely Excited Atmospheric) Laser. This is a high-performance physics experiment that relies on a single principle: speed. We use 10,000V to create an electrical pulse so fast it tricks the nitrogen gas (present in the open air, in this case) into emitting an invisible UV laser beam.. More here: https://brianbell.net/n2-tea-laser-build-part-2-the-10-kv-concept/

Reviving a Vintage Alarm with Meshtastic – Part 1: The Plan

When my family and I moved into our new house, we found a legacy DSC Alarm Panel and its suite of wireless sensors already installed. Since the system was outdated, unmonitored, and completely disconnected from modern alert systems, I opted to remove it. However, the hardware itself—a testament to its vintage engineering—was robust and still functional. I decided that instead of tossing it, I would transform this robust, inherited system. This multi-part series isn’t just about cleaning up an old alarm; it’s about transforming it into an off-grid, resilient, and intelligent security guardian using the Meshtastic mesh networking protocol! My ultimate goal is to create a fully self-reliant, peer-to-peer notification system that can alert me even when the internet is down, power is out, or cellular networks are jammed. I am taking this abandoned, time-tested wireless DSC system and giving it a powerful, modern, digital voice.