Category Archives: Projects
Laser-Induced Dewetting: Stabilizing a Dynamic Liquid Mask for Fiber Engraving
1. The Idea So I spent last night digging into laser-induced dewetting at midnight to figure out how to get a clean fiber engraving on a coin without dealing with nasty slag and heat-affected zones. The goal is basically using…Read More
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 3: Capacitor & Switch Math and Fab
In Part 2, I showed you the core components. Now it’s time to prove with math that these components will actually generate a powerful pulse, and then design the two parts that achieve the nanosecond speed: the capacitor’s size and the Spark Gap’s structure, and get the design mostly in place for initial powerup and test.
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/
N2 TEA Laser Build – Part 1: What Is That?
[latexpage] The workbench is getting weird this week. (Yes, that’s my Thunder Laser engraver, I know, I know—it’s not supposed to be a workbench! 😅) This is the first in a series of posts where I break down the science…Read More
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.
President Dwight D. CB Base Resto-Mod Part 3
🔬 Part 3: Documentation and Cleanup Complete – The Final Blueprint (This post directly follows the investigative findings detailed in President Dwight D. CB Base Resto-Mod Part 2.) This post marks a crucial phase transition! We executed the Initial Restoration…Read More
President Dwight D. CB Base Resto-Mod Part 2
🔬 Part 2: Cracking the Case – Board ID, PLL, and Hidden Mods! You can find President Dwight D. CB Base Resto-Mod Part 1 here. The moment of truth arrived! I cracked open the President Dwight D. base station, ready…Read More
President Dwight D. CB Base Resto-Mod Part 1
🎙️ Resurrection of a Classic: President Dwight D. CB Base & Astatic D-104 TUP9 Resto-Mod! Stoked to finally crack open my President Dwight D. CB Base Station! This rig, a decade-long resident of the garage, fired right up a few…Read More
The Flamethrower
Intro Okay so this isn’t actually laser related (though I could add a red dot pointer to it i suppose!) but it involves high voltage, fire, and more… so the boys and I are going to build a flamethrower. We…Read More