Want to do something totally different this weekend? Have a pile of LEGO® blocks lying around? How about making an ice cream maker!? Then, how about home-made S’mores ice cream? Want the flavor of the fire-toasted marshmallows? Try making your own liquid smoke!
If you don’t want to try your hand at making the LEGO® ice cream maker, you can use a traditional ice cream maker and then use either dry ice or liquid nitrogen for the freezing.
For S’mores ice cream, the base consists of whole milk, heavy cream, sugar, chocolate syrup, medium-sized marshmallows and liquid smoke. You can buy liquid smoke or make your own. If you buy liquid smoke the ingredients should only be “water, smoke.” Really, that’s all. Making your own liquid smoke requires about $20 in ingredients and is best done with chemistry equipment in a lab. This will allow you to create a closed system to capture the liquid smoke and to heat it safely. Buying your liquid smoke is cheaper, takes less time, and is a little safer…
Ready to make the S’mores ice cream? Combine the base ingredients, pre-chill it, put it in your LEGO® machine and it will all – including your LEGO® machine – go into your freezer. Once the base is set, stir in graham crackers, toasted and cut into pieces. Serve with hot fudge or chocolate syrup – add whipped cream, cherries or nuts if you like. Yum….
Cooking for Geeks: Real Science, Great Hacks, and Good Food, by Jeff Potter. Engineering Library TX715 .P88201
Did you know that we have Course Reserve titles for 93 classes?
What happens if you can’t remember the title of the reserve book you need for your class? We have several ways to access the Reserve information from our webpage. Under our banner are several links, one of which is Course Reserve. It is easy to search by using the drop-down menu. You are given the option of searching a multiple of ways. For example you may search by course title, instructor name, course name or number and more. Select the drop-down you wish to use, type the information in the search box and it will take you to InfoHawk and a listing of all the titles reserved for that particular instructor. Click on the Location field in the InfoHawk brief record and you can check to see how many copies of that title we have, if they are already checked out and when they are due back.
Another easy way to access information about Course Reserve titles is to go our homepage and click on the drop-down menu for Services. Clicking on Course Reserves will take you to an ICON Link or a link to the Main Library Course Reserve search page.
You know the title of the book and the professor’s name, so all you need to do is stop in at the library and ask the helpful staff at the Circulation Desk! You’ll need is your student ID card (or the number if you know it), the name of the professor and the title of the book. Each Reserve book can be checked out for 2 hours, if it is checked out within 2 hours of closing it won’t be due until an hour after we open the next day. The fine is $2.40/hour up to $40.
Come explore our library and find that Course Reserve title you need!
Classes have started, football season is here – as much as we hate to admit it – fall (and winter!) are upon us. Maybe it is time to look at how much – and where – our living spaces use energy. This may not sound like a fun way to spend a weekend, but think of the money you could be saving! If you leave in a dorm or rent an apartment, you may not think these energy tips pertain to you, but there are many things you can do to help shrink your carbon footprint.
How many times did your parents tell you to “turn off the lights” when you left a room?” They were right – turning off lights when not in use can save a lot of energy. One way to do that is with a timer – not only with lights, but with appliances you know you use at a certain time each day. Dimmer switches, energy efficient light bulbs and, if you live in a home, motion detectors also can save a significant amount of energy/money. Another trick is to keep your lamps away from the thermostat – the heat from the lamp can cause the air conditioner to run more frequently. A programmable thermostat, much like a timer switch, can also save energy and money.
Power Monitor. Tool Library Box XX
Another thing you might want to do is figure out how much energy it takes to run the major appliances in your home. There are tables that can help you estimate costs for a home, but why not use the Power Monitor from our Tool Library. The power monitor will help you discover your “phantom” electrical use. Many household devices use power, even when turned off. It is easy to use – plug the power monitor into the wall socket and then plug the device into the power monitor. It measures the power usage for the entire time it is plugged in. An easy fix for using too much electricity are electrical power strips. Simply turn off the power strip when the device is not in use. These can save money if you are in a home or apartment where you are responsible for paying your own electric and heating bills.
A high energy user is your refrigerator. It runs 24/7 for years – even that small dorm-size refrigerator. The electric motor and air compressor take a lot of energy to run. So, what can you do? Check your the temperature in the refrigerator. Ideally your refrigerator temperature should be between 35 and 41° F. Your freezer should be around -18ºC which is-0.4ºF. These temperatures are best for keeping food fresher longer, slow the growth of bacteria and keep your food from getting freezer burn. Another easy refrigerator fix is simply making sure the door seals are kept clean. Evenly spacing out items in the refrigerator and keeping it full will help keep energy costs down, too. If you don’t have enough food in the refrigerator placing sealed and empty refrigerator containers can help. When you open the refrigerator door, the cool air stays in the container and is not lost through the open door. Keeping a pitcher of cold water will not only help even out the cooling in the refrigerator, it will keep you from running water long enough to get it cold. Vacuum your refrigerator coils regularly and – as David Findley says in Do it yourself home energy audits – don’t “sightsee in the refrigerator.”
Water usage is another way to reduce your carbon footprint and save money. Easy things such as taking showers and not baths; take shorter and cooler showers; turn off the water while brushing your teeth; only wash full loads of clothing and wash in cold water. A common misconception is that it takes warm/hot water to kill germs, but is really the detergent and not the water temperature. Also use drying racks instead of dryers.
There are also ways to use “gray water,” the water from washing dishes, doing laundry, and other things like dehumidifiers. That water is safe to use on plants and in yards. Using gray water reduces water usage and prevents it from ending up in streams and rivers.
If you live in your own home, you can do a “pressure test” to find energy leaks in your windows, doors, and around wall sockets. Energy Efficient Homes for Dummies (pg 92-98) has complete step-by-step instructions for doing the test and how to stop those leaks.
Spend a little time this weekend doing a quick energy check, because whether you live in a house, apartment or dorm, there are DIY projects that can help you save money and reduce your impact on the world around you.
Engineering Library TJ163.5 .D86 F523 2010
Resources:
Findley, David S. 2010. Do it yourself home energy audits: 140 simple solutions to lower energy costs, increase your home’s efficiency and save the environment. New York : McGraw Hill. Engineering Library TJ163.5 .D86 F523 2010
Do it yourself home energy audits. June 24, 2013. Energy.gov
8 easy projects for instant home energy savings. Feb/March 2008. Mother Earth News.
Rehfeld, Barry J. 2011. Home sweet zero energy home: what it takes to develop great homes that won’t cost anything to heat, cool or light up, without going broke or crazy. Gabriola, B.C : New Society Publishers. Engineering Library TJ163.5 .D86 R44 2011
Lubeck, Aaron. 2010. Green restorations : sustainable building and historic homes. Gabriola, B.C. : New Society Publishers. Engineering Library TH4816 .L82 2010
For more intense energy-saving projects: Top 10 best do-it-yourself green projects. 2015. The Green Optimist.
Are you looking for resources pertinent to your Engineering major? Check out all the subject guides we have available right from our webpage. The “Subject Guides” tab will take you to a number of helpful links and information. What you need to know is all located in one convenient place. The A to Z links will take you to links for library-wide scholarly journals, magazines, and databases.
As you begin to look ahead and plan your research for the semester, we can help from the beginning to the end. No matter what your engineering major is, you can start your research by searching Compendex. It is the most comprehensive bibliographic database of scientific and technical engineering research available, and it covers all engineering disciplines. It includes millions of bibliographic citations and abstracts from thousands of engineering journals and conference proceedings. When combined with the Engineering Index Backfile (1884 – 1969), Compendex covers 120 years of core engineering literature. An Xpress class on Compendex will be held on November 19th from 2:30 t0 3:00 in the Engineering Library multipurpose room.
We also have a subject guide on Standards which explains standards and where to find detailed information about them. There are also links to websites where you can begin your search. There is even a section on how to cite standards in your paper. The Standards Xpress class will be held on October 8th, from 2:30 to 3:00 in the Engineering Library multipurpose room..
Our Patent subject guide explains everything from what a patent is, what can be patented and what you need to know for a patent application. There is also detailed information on how and where to search and how to cite patents. The Xpress class, Learn Patent Searching, will be held on October 22 and is a basic introduction to patent searching. It will be held in the Engineering Library multipurpose room from 2:30 to 3:00 p.m.
Wondering about product liability, but have no idea were to even begin looking? We can help with that, too! Our Product Liability subject guide will help you find out about laws and regulations, find links to useful blogs, and find out what books we have here in our own library. A few of the other subject guides cover Engineering Ethics, ADA and Universal Design, and a Citation Guide.
Be sure to check out the Xpress classes that we offer. Each class provides valuable information about the resources that are available to you. Librarians will introduce you to the tools and provide you with a basic understanding of how they may be used. The instructors are more than willing to talk with you personally, answer your questions and help you find the resources that will be most helpful to you.
Prepare yourself for this semester’s projects – explore our website and check out all the information that is available in the subject guides!!
The last long weekend of the summer – Labor Day – is upon us. Don’t you really want to do something fun and different? Have any of those swimming pool noodles lying around?
You may not want to store them over the winter – so why not make your own airframe, floating, flying quad? Make: technology on your time can walk you through the steps and in no time you’ll have a sturdy, airframe, quadcopter that can fly and float!
Quadcopter photo from Makezine.com. Behold the Noodle Copter project.
The April/May 2015 issue (vol. 44) of Make will not only help you make an inexpensive fun drone for the whole family, it has several articles on drone races, drone derby guidelines, 3-D printed racing drones and tricopters. This issue, in fact, has DIY instructions for 5 multicopters!
There is also information about making your DIY drone watertight and protecting it from the elements. Each project has a list of materials, tools, and estimate of the cost and time involved in creating your very own DIY drone. The Noodle Copter requires pool noodles, battery, flight control board, among other things. The specific size and types of items and tools needed are specifically listed.
Mark Harrison, the designer of the Noodle Copter, uses it as a trainer. He says “I can’t imagine much you could do to break a pool noodle!” Perfect if you want to try your hand at flying a drone for the first time, or to get better at it before you use the more expensive ones. Harrison has also filled a Noodle Copter with LEDs making it possible to fly it at night.
Did you know that we have a Tool Library?? We are one of the few academic libraries in the country that have one! There are hand tools, measuring tools, LabQuest, technology tools AND a MaKey MaKey! All available to for you to check out! Check our Circulation Policy for complete details and information.
11 Piece Computer Toolkit
Tired of digging around trying to find just the right tool to separate those little plastic pieces while working on your computer? We’ve got an 11-piece computer tool kit – complete with scissor clamp tweezers and 2 nylon spludgers! Looking for just the right size Hex Key while you are putting together your new furniture? We have both an SAE set and two metric sets. We have pliers, a socket set (standard and metric), wrenches and screwdrivers, including a screwdriver set specifically for video games! Be sure to check our hand tool section!
Or maybe you want to find out how much it is going to cost to run your refrigerator, sound system, television, gaming console and computer all at the same time? We have a power monitor that can show you the operating costs of household appliances. Need to measure your room to see if that new couch will fit? Check out our Laser Distance Measurer. It has a 100′ range and has +/- 3/22″ accuracy. We have a number of measuring tools – light meters, sound meters, infrared thermometers, Each tool has a link to a pdf file of the user manuals.
LabQuest 2 available in our Tool Library
We have the LabQuest 2 complete with the tools needed to use it. The LabQuest Force Plate will measure the forces that are developed with stepping, jumping and other human-scale actions; the EKG sensor will measure the electrical waveforms produced during the contraction of the muscle – helping you determine the axis of the heart, and investigate the effect of the central nervous system has on reflex amplitude. Check out all the LabQuest tools we have available. Each tool also has the user manual in pdf form and is available from the link.
We have Raspberry Pi 2 in our technology tool section! A credit-card sized computer created for learning and experimentation! Check out our August 28th blog specifically on Raspberry Pi!
We have another great way to experiment and interact with your computer – MaKey MaKey! You plug it into your computer and you can use everyday conductive objects as new inputs to perform actions! Want a banana piano? You can make one with MaKey MaKey! Or you can draw a joystick and use it to play video games. You can even learn how to send an email using alphabet soup…
The Tool Library is made possible through donations from Geb Thomas, the Engineering Electronic Shop and Engineering Computer Services. Be sure to tell them “Thank You!” – we really appreciate their help in making our Tool Library one of the best! We are frequently adding new tools, so be sure to check out the webpage regularly!
Come and explore our library and investigate our Tool Library!
Classes have started and you need a project to take your mind off all that homework you already have…. Try Raspberry Pi – it is more than just a yummy dessert!
It’s a small computer – credit-card sized – that is inexpensive and was designed with hacking and computer experimentation in mind. The introduction to Raspberry Pi Projects by Andrew Robinson and Mike Cook, likens learning to use computers with learning to cook – everyone should have those basic skills. That doesn’t mean that everyone will become professional chefs or computer programmers, but it is good to know those basics. Eben Upton developed Raspberry Pi while working with computer science students at Cambridge University. He found that students weren’t “tinkering” with their computers. So he developed an inexpensive – around $25 – computer that is designed to be hacked and used for experimentation. Raspberry Pi is a great way to learn the basics of Linux or Python programming, and electronics.
Raspberry Pi 2
Want to geocache from the comfort of your car? You can do that with Raspberry Pi! Maybe the only kind of pet you are allowed to have in your dorm or apartment is fish. Trying to maintain the proper water temperature can be tricky. So, make a smart, communicative thermometer to let you know when the water in your fish tank fluctuates to a dangerous degree. You can do it using Raspberry Pi. Or how about making a lamp that creates mood lighting, but can also check your Twitter messages? You can, with Raspberry Pi.
We have resources to help you get started with your Raspberry Pi experimentation. For the reader who has never used it before, Raspberry Pifrom the “Teach Yourself Visually” is available. For those ready for a more in-depth manual, check out Mastering the Raspberry Pi. We have books with Raspberry Pi projects and hacks that will walk you through working with both software and hardware, from games like Minecraft to controlling a LEGO robot to creating a one person band.
Piqued your interest? Want to try your hand at using a Raspberry Pi? We have one in the Tool Library! We also have many other tools to help you as you tinker and explore. The lamp that creates mood lighting and checks your Twitter account calls for a multimeter – we have that in the Tool Library, too. Incidentally, the mood-lighting-Twitter-checking lamp is called a “Giraffe Mood Lamp” in Make: raspberry Pi and AVR projects. You’ll have to check it out to find out why! Don’t have a Twitter account yet? We have Twitter for Dummies.
We have what you need to get started with Raspberry Pi – and it could be just the project you need for this weekend!
It’s hard to believe that the fall semester is about to begin! The campus is full of students eager to start classes and see all the changes that have occurred on the campus over the summer.
On our summer “vacation” we updated the Lichtenberger Engineering Library! We have 20 new computers, along with new chairs and computer tables. We also now have two scanners – the brand-new-just-added scanner is a high-speed, face-up book capture system that is as quick and easy to use as a copy machine. We also have two printers that are accessible from either your laptop or the library desktop computers. Both scanners, the print stations and the copier are all located together for easy access.
Pod 1: Complete with MediaScape!
We have a variety of spaces for all your studying needs. Besides the 20 new computers, we have 12 computers in the multi-purpose room and 2 pods for group study – one of which has a MediaScape. We have both group study tables and study carrels for individual use. The lower level is a quiet study space complete with study carrels, easy chairs, bean bag chairs, and gamer chairs. The 150,000 books in our collection are also located on the lower level and cover subject matter from Aeronautics to Z-80 Programming.
There is also a wonderful collection of DVDs – everything from Mythbusters, Junkyard Wars, How It’s Made, Extreme Engineering, and a host of other titles that are all available by asking at the circulation desk. Journal subscriptions cover everything from Road & Travel, SWE, Make Magazine, to The Journal of Theoretical & Applied Mechanics.
We have access to over 3,000 e-resources and online subject guides covering information for all the engineering majors. You can access IEEExplore, over 20,000 Standards, Patents, a citation guide, information on Engineering ethics, copyright and open access information. There is also a wide range of handbooks and digital publications, all available from the Lichtenberger Engineering Library homepage. You can search course reserves, databases and e-journals directly from our homepage, too. If you want more information about our resources and how they can be used, we offer Xpress Classes – short 30 minute introductory classes led by specialized librarians. Classes begin September 3rd and are held on Thursdays from 2:30 to 3:00 p.m. in the Library multi-purpose room. The final class will be held on November 19th. Each class is designed to help get you started using the various resources that will help you with your assignments and projects.
Raspberry Pi 2
We are also one of the only academic libraries in the country with a Tool Library! We have hand tools, LabQuest, measuring tools, and technology tools – wrenches, Hex Keys, Screwdrivers, Computer toolkit, calipers, angle locators, light meters, tubular spring scales, acoustic microphone, and an eyeball webcam to name a few. AND we have just added a MaKey MaKey Kit and Raspberry Pi 2!
Explore our homepage – with inks to new books, resources, our blog, and how to get help. Then come explore the library! We are at 2001 Seamans Center – just off the Student Commons. Our hours are listed on our homepage – so stop in!
Head Librarian, Kari Kozak and Informatics Librarian, Qianijn (Marina) Zhang, are available for research consultations and all our staff are available to help you find the resources you need! And don’t forget to “like” us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter and Pinterest!
Come see all we have to offer – we look forward to seeing you soon!
On July 26, 1990, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was signed into law. Iowa’s former senator, Tom Harkin, wrote the bill and Iowa City has held a celebration every year since then. The University of Iowa Council on Disability Awareness has planned a number of events to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of the signing of the ADA into law. This year’s celebration is scheduled to take place on the Pedestrian Mall, Saturday, July 25th from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Tara Fall, an Iowa native who now lives in California, is the keynote speaker and will speak at 1:30 p.m. She had a stroke while undergoing surgery for seizures when she was 27 years old. She now has prosopagnosia – “face-blindness.” She is the author of “Brainstorming: Functional Lessons from a Dysfunctional Brain.” Saturday’s festivities will also include music, dance, and booths.
Mobility disabilities often cause the person to look passive and dependent which reduces their opportunities for constructive engagement. ADA mobility requirements include ramps, accessible parking, and drinking fountains. But, it also has requirements for such varied public places as amusement parks, golf courses, children’s play areas, fishing piers and more. Assistive Technologies (AT) are continually being developed and refined for a wide-range of mobility needs and include wheelchairs, hearing aids, prosthesis and Voice Output Communication Aid (VOCA). When using AT a person with mobility impairments is better able to interact with the environment and the people around them, thus making them less dependent on others.
Physical limitations often includes the need for computer adjustments. For those with difficulties managing a mouse there are joysticks and trackballs. Eye trackers can also take the place of a computer mouse, and keyboards can be enlarged or color-coded. Websites can be difficult to navigate for many differing disabilities. Text-to-Speech can help those with visual impairments. Those with auditory challenges are unable to listen to audio-only recordings, or audio-visual recordings with no closed captioning or transcript available. The Web Accessibility Initiative has resources for people with disabilities, and those making and implementing policies.
Universal Design (UD) is the process of making things safer, easier and more convenient for everyone. UD addresses the wide spectrum of human abilities and designs for that diversity, thus making things easier for everyone. For instance, installing the ramps on the corners of sidewalks for people in wheelchairs has also benefited people pushing strollers. For a fascinating look at how UD is making life easier, we have Universal design: solutions for a barrier-free living.
There is a wide-range of abilities and needs for those with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). Video games using storytelling have been shown to help teach social skills to those with ASD. Video games have also been used in cognitive therapy for brain injury, physical therapy, and pain management. For more information on the use of video games with ASD check out Assistive technology research, practice, and theory, and for work with brain injuries refer to Assistive technologies and computer access for motor disabilities.
FingerReader, wearable interface for reading on-the-go. MIT Media Lab.
Assistive Technologies are also used for reading text. The Yale Center for Dyslexia & Creativity has information on which popular tablets are best for people with dyslexia. For those needing help accessing printed text there are devices such as the FingerReader.
For more information on human/computer interaction, inclusive design for communities, transportation and everyday objects, stop in and check out our many resources!
Resources:
Subject Guide: ADA and Universal Design. July 13, 2015. University of Iowa Lichtenberger Engineering Library.
Assistive Technology research, practice, and theory. HV1569.5 .A85 2014
Rhoads, Marcela Abadi. The ADA companion guide : understanding the Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidlines (ADAAG). 2010. Hoboken, NF : John Wiley. Engineering Library KF5709.3 H35 R48 2010.
Assistive technologies and computer access for motor disabilities. 2014. Hershey, PA : Medical Information Science Reference. Engineering Library HV1569.5 .A87 2014.
Speech, image, and language processing for human computer interaction : multi-modal advancements 2012. Hershey, PA : Information Science Reference. Engineering Library QA76.9 H85 S654 2012
Disability informatics and web accessibility for motor limitations. 2014. Hershey, PA : Medical Information Science Reference. Engineering Library HV1569.5 .D53 2014
This year the Register’s Annual Great Bike Ride Across Iowa (RAGBRAI) will stop in Coralville on July 24. RAGBRAI XLIII began in Sioux City on July 19 and will finish in Davenport on July 25. There are 6 overnight stops along the RAGBRAI route and the longest day of riding is the first day – from Sioux City to Storm Lake, a distance of just over 74 miles.
The first RAGBRI was held in 1973, and started as a challenge between the Des Moines Register feature writer/copy editor John Karras and Donald Kaul, author of the Des Moines Register’s “Over the Coffee” column. The ride was opened to a “few friends,” i.e. the public. Fortunately, the turnout was light, because no camping arrangements – or any other types of arrangements – had been made for the riders. The number of riders varied along the route, but 114 riders made the entire distance that first year. One of the interesting people the ride attracted was Clarence Pickard of Indianola. The 83-year-old showed up for that first ride with a used ladies Schwinn. He rode all the way to Davenport, including the 110-mile trek from Des Moines to Williamsburg on a 100°+ day. For the ride he wore a long-sleeved shirt, trousers, woolen long underwear and a silver pith helmet.
Because there so much national and international media coverage, the number of riders increased quickly. In order to make the ride more manageable, it is now limited to 8,500 registered riders each year. Since RAGBRAI began 326,650 riders have pedaled over 19,000 miles. 780 towns have been visited since its inception.
Whether you want to hit the road on RAGBRAI, or simply want to cruise around town for transportation and exercise, the type of bike you purchase makes a difference. Where you plan to ride, with whom will you be riding, your budget, and your previous experience all make a difference when choosing a bike. Mountain bikes are great for off-road and single track trails, but they are heavier, have thicker tires and are generally slower and require more effort. Road bikes are for paved roads, paths and smooth unpaved paths. They are lighter and designed more for speed. There are also hybrid and comfort bikes, tandems, recumbents, commuters and cruisers. If you have questions about specific bikes, RAGBRAI has a forum where information is available from experienced riders.
Bicycle components
The bicycle is a simple machine, but has many components and it is always a good idea to learn what each component is called. There are 10 bicycle shops that now participate in RAGBRAI, but it doesn’t hurt to know basic maintenance for your own equipment. Learning to repair tire punctures yourself can keep you from being stranded by the side of the road whenever and wherever you ride. Bike Repair & Maintenance for Dummies has a section on what to look for in a pre-ride inspection, how to clean and take care of your bike after your ride, and items that should be included in an emergency tool kit – including duct tape!
Gladiator Chopper
Interested in building your own custom bike? Bike, scooter, and chopper projects for the evil geniushas the information you need to create your own Gladiator Chopper, 3-wheel trikes for adults and kids, stunt bikes, and electric-powered bikes!
Electric bikes, or e-bikes, are becoming more popular. A modified or custom bike frame that has pedals but also and electric motor gives the rider the option to pedal or use the power of a battery and motor drive system. They are less expensive than gas-powered scooters and are safer than scooters and motorcycles. A 1 square foot solar panel is enough to power an eBike for 3,100 miles.
There are also luxury bikes – the Monanate Luxury Gold bike has 24 carat gold leaf and 11,000 Swarovski crystals. The fenders are steam-bent wood and there is python leather on the handlebars, seat and around the lock. There are only 10 Luxury Gold bikes in existence and cost about $33,000. There are many beautiful and practical ways to store your bicycle, too. The Pedal Pod by British Designer Tamasine Osher, is sold walnut and is the perfect place to store your bike and accessories.
Montante Luxury Gold. The Bike Book. Engineering Library FOLIO TL410 .B54 2012
Pedal Pod, Tamasine Osher Design. The Bike Book Engineering Library FOLIO TL410 .B54 2012
