Ep 304: Glitching the RP2350, Sim Sim Sim, and a Scrunchie Clock
Jan 17, 2025
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Join the hosts as they explore a quirky blend of innovative hacks and tech trends. Discover the fascinating capabilities of the RP2040 microcontroller, alongside playful experiments and vibrant projects like a fluid-simulating pendant. Delve into the mechanics of a unique scrunchie clock that combines artistry and engineering. Learn about advanced antenna wiring techniques using CAT6 cable and how to tune into digital ham radio without a traditional setup. It's an hour of creativity, innovation, and a glimpse into the future of DIY technology!
Hackaday Europe 2025 promises engaging activities and community engagement, showcasing the enthusiasm for innovation and collaboration in tech.
The recent Hack the RP2350 contest highlighted creative hacking techniques, revealing vulnerabilities in security designs that invite further exploration.
Innovative projects like the scrunchie clock and fluid simulation pendant demonstrate the potential for everyday materials to inspire clever engineering solutions.
Deep dives
Hackaday Europe 2025 and Hack Chat Recap
Tickets for Hackaday Europe 2025 are now available, with early bird specials sold out but remaining tickets offered at an accessible price. The event promises a lively atmosphere with good company and engaging activities, including soldering and refreshments. In other news, the recent Hack Chat featured Raspberry Pi’s CEO Evan Upton, who participated enthusiastically and shared insights about the RP2040 microcontroller. Upton revealed that, while the chip is not officially rated for five-volt operation, many of its I/O pins function adequately at that voltage, sparking a conversation about practical and experimental usage.
Raspberry Pi's RP2350 Hack Competition
The recent Hack the RP2350 contest showcased various innovative hacking methods on the new microcontroller, with participants displaying impressive skills. Notable hacks included voltage injection glitches and a focused ion beam attack, while the first prize was awarded to Aidan Cullen for his clever manipulation of the chip's security functions. The RP2350 features a protected boot mode designed to deter unauthorized access, leading many hackers to focus on glitch attacks to bypass security measures effectively. The successful hacks not only revealed vulnerabilities in the chip but also highlighted Raspberry Pi's commitment to encouraging creative exploration.
Fluid Simulation Pendant Project
A creative pendant project utilizes advanced fluid simulation techniques to imitate liquid movement with the help of an accelerometer and LEDs. The simulation employs the 'flip water' method, maintaining a consistent volume of simulated liquid as the user tilts the device. The project showcases intricate circuit design and programming, focusing on miniaturization and efficiency. The creator humorously referred to his initial idea of using actual mercury for the simulation before pivoting to a safer LED-based solution, resulting in a captivating interactive display.
3D Printing Threading Solutions
Exploring various techniques to integrate threads into 3D prints, including tapping holes and creating self-forming threads, this discussion highlights the challenges faced in designing functional fasteners. While traditional methods can be time-consuming and prone to inaccuracies, a hybrid approach that employs bumps within holes allows for easier threading with improved strength. The tutorial emphasizes the practicality of thread solutions for robust designs, offering insights into creating durable and convenient connections in 3D-printed parts. Different methods of threading, such as using heat inserts and hex nuts, are also evaluated for their effectiveness in real-world applications.
Unique Mechanical Clock Design
A creative clock constructed from hair ties highlights the ingenuity of mechanical design by utilizing simple materials to represent numbers through movement. The clock's arms shift and reshape the coiled springs to form the digits, showcasing a clever use of cams operated by a stepper motor that connects and cycles through numbers. This inventive approach moves away from electronic components to a purely mechanical solution, emphasizing the charm of tactile devices. The project's backstory and inspiration underline the potential for ordinary household items to inspire innovative engineering solutions.
It's podcast time again, and this week Dan sat down with Elliot for a look back at all the cool hacks we've written about. We started off talking about Hackaday Europe, which is coming up in March -- seems unlikely that it's just around the corner, but there it is. There's also good news: the Hack Chat is back, and we started things off with a bang as Eben Upton stopped by to talk all things Pi. Separately, we talked about fault injection attacks, including how to find the hidden cup of 0xC0FFEE in an RP2350.
We saw a very cool piece of LED jewelry that does a fluid simulation, a direct conversion radio that's all laid out in front of you, and the scrunchiest mechanical digital clock you'll ever see. We saw blinkenlights for blinkenlights' sake, all the ways to put threads in your prints, and how to ditch to coax and wire up your antennas with Cat 6 cable. Plus, it's an Al Williams twofer in the Can't-Miss Articles, with a look back at life before GPS and how you can tune into digital ham radio, no radio required.
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