Innovative MacGyver Techniques: Science Meets DIY
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Chapter 1: Creative Halloween Decoration
As Halloween approaches, the team constructs a skeleton animated by syringes. The fundamental principle involves connecting two large syringes with a tube filled with water. When one syringe is pushed or pulled, the other reacts oppositely due to the incompressibility of water.
Directional Antenna for Tracking
To locate a target, MacGyver assembles a directional radio antenna by merging a Yagi antenna with a dish antenna. While the feasibility of this combination is questionable, it certainly has an intriguing appearance.
To clarify, a Yagi antenna resembles those old TV antennas mounted on rooftops. Its design allows it to focus on signals more effectively when oriented correctly, enhancing reception.
DIY Thermal Camera Explained
How can you spot individuals in a dimly lit abandoned military facility? A thermal camera provides an effective solution. Unlike standard cameras that capture visible light, thermal cameras detect infrared radiation. This means they can visualize warmth emitted by objects, making them visible even in total darkness.
For instance, the FLIR One is an infrared camera attachment for smartphones. It allows users to see heat signatures, like this image of a family pet captured in infrared.
Photo: Rhett Allain
The first infrared imaging devices appeared in the 1950s, utilizing a single sensor to scan areas slowly. Although these early models required cooling and were rather sluggish, they laid the foundation for modern thermal imaging.
To craft an infrared camera, MacGyver would need a suitable sensor, such as a lead sulfide detector. This component generates voltage but does not create images on its own. Scanning the environment and connecting it to a television would be necessary for visual output. Here’s a conceptual illustration of this process.
Image: Rhett Allain
In a practical test with my kids and the FLIR One, I discovered how effectively it can detect heat at a distance of seven meters.
Photo: Rhett Allain
As a fun comparison, here’s a screenshot from the MacGyver episode showcasing the IR technology.
Photo: MacGyver CBS
Ultimately, the complexity of thermal cameras is astounding, particularly given their availability on smartphones today.
Chapter 2: Escaping a Hyperbaric Chamber
In a tense scenario, Samantha Cage finds herself trapped in a hyperbaric chamber filling with water. This type of chamber serves as a pressurized environment, often utilized for treating decompression sickness in divers.
To facilitate her escape, MacGyver devises a captive bolt gun to shatter the window. However, an alternative method exists: sealing off the chamber to prevent water influx. This technique would increase internal pressure, potentially allowing her to break free.
Electromagnet: Lifting Possibilities
Can an electromagnet lift heavy objects? Certainly! Those massive electromagnets you see at junkyards can hoist cars effortlessly. But can they lift a human? The human body lacks sufficient ferromagnetic material, unless one happens to be Magneto. However, if a person has a steel implant, it could be feasible.
An electromagnet functions by running current through a coil of wire. You can easily create one yourself.
For a powerful electromagnet, substantial electric current is necessary. A truck engine can produce around 10 amps, but this may fall short. A better approach would involve using several car batteries in tandem to maximize current output, while being cautious of overheating wires during operation.
Originally published at http://rhettallain.com on May 20, 2019.