Coolest DIY creations from Makers Faire 2011

Waterfall Swing is an amazing DIY project created by New York-based architectural design firm Dash 7. The project features a steel swing set that soars at about 22 feet height. A series of mechanical solenoids are attached to it resulting in a water plane that surrounds the riders’ swinging path. The system is engineered based on a study regarding interactions of water as space. Riders can have fun as they pass through the openings in a waterfall. The valves that open up the water cascades are linked to computers and sensors enabling it to know the exact pendulum path.

The excitement of closely evading obstacles is the unique feeling that Waterfall Swing offers to the riders. Swinging in the rain was a crowd favorite at the show and the vision of the rain curtain falling down from above was really great. But this DIY system is not free from flaws. If the day is windy, the rider may get soaked in water since the system’s proper functioning will be disturbed.

Poop and Paddle is homemade boat project created by New York-based artist and green builder Adam Katzman. The main objective of the project is to maintain the natural cycle of waste recycling intact. The project declares that there is no such thing called ‘waste’ since the cycle of eating, excreting, returning of this excretion in the soil, cultivation in the same soil and consumption of food grown in this soil continues without any disruption.

According to the designer, we cause rupture to this cycle by flushing our ‘waste’ down a toilet. This homemade boat project can be described as the first ever toilet-boat that uses rainwater to flush an on-board toilet. The waste will be directed toward a settle tank, which is desgined as a constructed wetland, to function as fertilizers.

The project combines an outhouse and sewage-treatment plant in one system. Poop and Paddle is a clear demonstration of how sewage and rainwater can be transformed to various perennial herbs and clean water.

How about wearing an illuminated costume? Erik Johnson, a software engineer, has made this possible by his product called Light Bright, which is designed as an LED suit. This unquestionably striking illuminated clothing contains 1,536 tiny three color (RGB) light-emitting diodes, which changes patterns to further enhance the visual appeal.

The DIY fabrication project involves wireless control system. The LED costume is available in different forms such as vest, shirt, and dress. This fantastic illuminated costume can be flaunted to show off your mood. In order to create fun couch, you can cover the pillow with this LEDs.

Fire Jam was one of the projects presented by Young Makers Program at Maker Faire Bay Area 2011. The brains behind the projects are Alex Jacobson, John Boyer, and Sam Frank. Fire Jam is a visualization device that blends software and engineering in a unique way to create appealing visual effect. Fire Jam is formed in the shape of 6 ft wide fire-emitting candelabra. The devise is controlled by a Rock Band video game. By selectively shooting spurts of flame, Fire Jam creates balls of flames, as the guitar is played. It results in a very interesting symphony of flames.

The device has been produced as an object of entertainment. The team has been successful in creating something that will establish a link between music and fire in a harmonious manner.

John Behrens, a cinematographer by profession and the founder of Omega Recoil, has displayed Portable Tesla Coil at the 2011 Maker Faire. Tesla Coil is a backpack-mounted multicolored bouquet that looks outlandish and keeps roving. The solar charged backpack coil will rotate high voltage fans. Kids were trailing the system around. When they touch the fluorescent lights the bulbs gets brightened up in a colorful way.

According to the creator, the best part of this project is the demystifying effect of electricity. All the uniquely designed projects display invention, creativity and resourcefulness. It is a great event that promotes amateur DIY initiatives.