Super-strong electromagnetics coupled with a hidden fingerprint scanner make this convincing copy of Mjolnir, Thor’s mystical hammer, respond only to its creator. As the Marvel Comics version of the story goes, only those worthy of the power of the hammer may pick it up – it becomes an impossible anchor in the grip of anyone else.

Allan Pan, an electrical engineer, set to work creating his own real-life version. Electrical currents produce a magnetic field that pull the hammer toward any metal surface. Essentially, it can be ‘locked’ in place anywhere with metal on the ground (or just under the surface) mimicking the magical properties the hammer is supposed to posses.

Using powerful electromagnets and a fingerprint scanner, an electrical engineer builds a replica of Thor’s hammer Mjolnir that can only be hefted by the worthy. Pranking passers by, its maker is able to pick the device up with ease, then confuse the heck out of the strongest people who attempt to lift it (a bit like King Arthur with Excalibur, come to think of it). “The handle is attached to a capacitive touch sensor, which in turn is attached to an Arduino Pro Mini and a solid state relay, which serves as a switching device. As soon as someone grasps the handle, the electromagnets switch on, attaching the hammer to the metal surface.” Alas, this version cannot yet call down lightning strikes, nor return to the hand that throws it, but perhaps Mjolnir 2.0 will pick up where this one leaves off.

The post Engineer Crafts ‘Real’ Hammer of Thor Only He Can Lift first appeared on Gajitz.

These simple wooden cubes look a little boring, but when you see what inventor Erik Aburg does with them, you’ll be shocked. The cubes move around under Aberg’s expert direction, folding and rolling into seemingly impossible configurations. Their movements are as fluid as if he were manipulating paper.

Aberg’s love of juggling inspired him to create the crazy-interesting Ghostcubes. He previously worked with juggling balls, but after seeing an origami artist’s work with interlocking paper cubes he decided to use a similar object as a way to liven up his act.

Each Ghostcube set can take up to a month to produce from planning and design stages through completion. They have to be carefully folded and attached in order to provide the kind of fluid motion that makes them so mesmerizing to watch. Aberg’s act sometimes involves balancing and rolling balls along the Ghostcubes as they change shapes, which kind of blows our minds.

The post Watch These Bonkers Wooden Cubes Move Like Origami first appeared on Gajitz.

Maybe it makes us sound kind of old (or kind of like kids – what do we know?), but we still think it’s pretty amazing that we can turn on that crazy box in the corner and pictures come on to amuse us. Apparently other people feel that way too, and that’s why the totally awesome Kymera Magic Wand exists. It’s a universal remote made to look exactly like a magic wand so that you can feel like a wizard every time you change the channel.

The Magic Wand is a universal remote that learns from your other remotes. It can store up to 13 functions after you “train” it, and thereafter you can change the channel with a flick of the wand or adjust the volume with a simple twist. Although we’re stuck on TV (how do those tiny people get in there?), you can do much more with the wand. In fact, you can control just about anything that operates on an infrared signal.

According to the company that makes it, this magic wand is the world’s first buttonless, gesture-based remote control. The wand is undeniably awesome, but almost as impressive is the gorgeous website that goes along with it.

The post Magic for Muggles: Magic Wand is Cool Universal Remote first appeared on Gajitz.