iTECH
PRINTER
• A laser / jet that doesn't
'hit' the egg...
• Handles lots of eggs quickly
+ carefully + hygienically.
• Gets complete egg codes
automatically.
design
t-egg-nology
printing egg codes
INK
In iMaths we learned codes need to be
printed on eggshells. Here in iTech, join
us 'brainstorming' design technology
ideas that would make this possible.
Email [email protected] if you
can think of anything else!
• Safe to eat.
• Dries quickly + clearly
+ doesn’t smudge.
• Waterproof.
FOOD RULES
• Health and safety laws.
Studio Soundproofing
Q: I've heard empty egg boxes block out sound?
A: Ermm...no!
True, the shape of an egg carton is like the wavy walls
in some recording studios. But sound booth walls
follow a scientific pattern and use special 'acoustic'
foam to dampen yet enhance the sound.
Egg boxes do have some acoustical value and show
a Noise Reduction Coefficient of 0.40 (see Cool
Weblinks, p19). However, as you can see by the graph,
professional products give a smooth curve of sound
absorption – it's just bumpy earache with egg cartons!
(Acoustic foam is also much safer next to a candle!)
3D-printed eggs
Cuckoos lay their eggs in a stranger's nest and try to
trap an 'egg-sitter'! Sometimes, though, the uninvited
guest is recognised and turfed out of the nest! So how
do birds tell the difference?
For years, researchers have spent hours making
wooden, plastic and plaster eggs...but often the birds
aren't fooled! In 2015, hollow eggs were carefully
designed and 3D-printed. Once filled with water, they
kept their heat ('thermodynamics') like real eggs in the
nest. 100% of some designs were accepted by the birds!
Future technology will hopefully match an egg's
colour, weight, shape and thermodynamics –as well as
its thin, textured eggshell.
CHECK OUT:
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12
FUSE
iSCIENCE: EGG-CHEMISTRY
iMATHS
QUIZ AND WONDER WALL
COOL WEBLINKS