Gizmodo: Circuits

New Memory Resistor Circuit Could Make Instant-Boot PCs, Emulate Brain Functions

Jason Chen — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 15:16:56 EDT

A fourth circuit element called memristor (the first three being resistors, capacitors and inductors) has been proposed since 1971, but HP labs has finally made a working physical model of the thing. What's so special about this type of circuit? It remembers how much charge previously flowed through it, leading to applications like modeling and simulating brain behavior in hardware instead of software. For the rest of us, it can totally revolutionize PCs by remembering the state of RAM when you shut off your machine, instantly booting back up where you left off when you come back—as opposed to current RAM that just dumps its load like so much last night's fajitas when powered down. [Wired]

Circuits Made of Paper, Printed By You

Mark Wilson — Wed, 10 Oct 2007 10:38:57 EDT

There's very little that's practical about these paper circuits. Oh, except that they can be printed out as a template and glued directly to a cardboard base. From there, builders can trace markings with wire and the circuit practically builds itself (the link here has some cool music boards for the aspiring eletroneers among you to try out). But in terms of building a personal Batcomputer out of nothing more than processed trees...you might want to invest in technologies that won't go up in flames when the Penguin ashes his cigarette. [PCBs via MAKE]

SFW Circuit Sex Positions

Adam Frucci — Mon, 29 Jan 2007 13:00:00 EST

You know you've hit rock bottom when a bunch of circuits are seeing more action than you are. Wait, correction: you know you've hit rock bottom when you get turned on by a bunch of circuits seeing more action than you are.

Not that I've hit rock bottom, I'm just saying… you know, for your reference. A couple more shots after the hop.

–Adam Frucci

Thanks for the tip, Blakeley!

LED and Resistor Circuits Sex Positions [Smithappens]

Geek-Out the Kiddos Early with Snap Circuits

Travis Hudson — Mon, 06 Nov 2006 10:30:57 EST

Want to ensure your children will never become a booze-chugging floozy-banging meathead jock? Start them out early on the path to geekdom with the Snap Circuits. Snap Circuits teaches kids all of the ins and outs of circuits without the need of a soldering iron. Some of the basic projects include radios, digital voice recorders and more.

Snap Circuits are available in a range of sizes with prices beginning $30. A small price to pay for the innocence of your first-born. – Travis Hudson

Product Page [Via OhGizmo!]

Circuitboard Coasters

gizmodo.com — Wed, 28 Dec 2005 15:09:10 EST

Remember the kid you picked on back in high school who was winning math Olympiads and what not? You should probably give him a call and apologize this holiday season. In fact, a gift is more appropriate. So why not get him these totally radical circuitboard coasters? Made from REAL circuitboard and not painted on, these coasters are the epitome of geekdom. Now I know this is not the first time you've seen a circuit board used as a coaster. But all hues of the PCBoard rainbow are represented here—amber, green, blue, and others. You can net a set of six coasters for only $20. You'll still get picked on if you use them, but at least you won't have those ugly water rings on your wooden tables.

Circuitboard Coasters [Oh! Gizmo]