EP#442: Wanting To Be A Wizard - Matt Brown

08/02/24 • 56 min

In this episode of Circuit Break, Parker Dillmann and Stephen Kraig are joined by Matt Brown, an inventive engineer and YouTube content creator renowned for his electrifying DIY projects and creative automotive builds. The trio delves into the concept of "good enough engineering," where Matt shares insights from his career, including his experiences working at Tesla and on various personal projects like the land speed car and the off-road Viper. The discussion also covers the challenges of engineering in unpredictable environments, the balance between planning and improvisation, and the joy of creating new things.

Key Discussion Points:

Introduction of Matt Brown and his YouTube channel SuperfastMatt
The concept of "good enough engineering" and its application
Matt's background in engineering and his career journey
Examples of "good enough engineering" in Matt's projects
The importance of intuition and experience in engineering decisions
The challenges of off-road vehicle engineering compared to aerospace
Balancing multiple large projects and knowing when a project is "done"
The appeal of starting new projects versus finishing existing ones
Matt's thoughts on building an airplane and the associated challenges
Discussion on CNC machines and 3D printers in DIY projects
The difference between real engineering and good enough engineering
The importance of planning and iterative testing in engineering
The role of community and feedback in the engineering process

Relevant Links:

Community Questions:

What are your thoughts on the concept of "good enough engineering"?
How do you balance planning and improvisation in your projects?
Have you ever started a project and found it challenging to finish? How did you handle it?

MacroFab:

This show is brought to you by MacroFab, which provides a platform for electronics manufacturing services (EMS), hardware development, designing and prototyping for individuals, startups, and businesses. Key MacroFab services include PCB (Printed Circuit Board) fabrication, assembly, and testing. Customers can use MacroFab's platform to upload their PCB designs, select components, and specify manufacturing requirements.

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Key Discussion Points:

Introduction of Matt Brown and his YouTube channel SuperfastMatt
The concept of "good enough engineering" and its application
Matt's background in engineering and his career journey
Examples of "good enough engineering" in Matt's projects
The importance of intuition and experience in engineering decisions
The challenges of off-road vehicle engineering compared to aerospace
Balancing multiple large projects and knowing when a project is "done"
The appeal of starting new projects versus finishing existing ones
Matt's thoughts on building an airplane and the associated challenges
Discussion on CNC machines and 3D printers in DIY projects
The difference between real engineering and good enough engineering
The importance of planning and iterative testing in engineering
The role of community and feedback in the engineering process

Relevant Links:

Community Questions:

What are your thoughts on the concept of "good enough engineering"?
How do you balance planning and improvisation in your projects?
Have you ever started a project and found it challenging to finish? How did you handle it?

MacroFab:

We Want to Hear From You!

Previous Episode

EP#441: Exploring the Arctic Through Art and Technology with Cy Keener

In this episode, Parker Dillmann and Stephen Kraig chat with Cy Keener, an interdisciplinary artist who merges art and technology to document and visualize the natural world. Cy discusses his journey from architecture to creating custom instruments and sensors for scientific research in the Arctic. He explains how his work helps visualize complex phenomena like sea ice and ocean waves, and shares insights into his collaboration with scientists. Cy also delves into the engineering challenges of building durable sensors for extreme environments and the artistic process of transforming raw data into compelling visual art.

Key Discussion Points:

Cy Keener's background in architecture and transition to art and technology.
The process of designing custom instruments and sensors for Arctic research.
Challenges of creating durable electronics for extreme environments.
Collaboration with scientists to document and visualize sea ice and icebergs.
The artistic process of transforming scientific data into visual art.
The significance of art in making scientific data accessible and engaging.
The role of broader impacts in National Science Foundation funding.
The evolution of Cy's sensor designs from Arduino-based prototypes to advanced devices.
The use of different materials and technologies for creating resilient enclosures.
Insights into the conservation of electronic art for future generations.
Examples of Cy's art installations and exhibitions showcasing Arctic data.
The importance of merging empirical data with experiential art.

Relevant Links:

Cy Keener's portfolio: cykeener.com
National Science Foundation: nsf.gov
Make Magazine article on Arduino and Iridium satellite modem: Make Magazine
Particle devices: Particle.io

Community Questions:

What are your thoughts on the intersection of art and technology in scientific research?
How do you think visual art can help make complex scientific data more accessible?
What other natural phenomena would you like to see visualized through art and technology?

MacroFab:

This show is brought to you by MacroFab, which provides a platform for electronics manufacturing services (EMS), hardware development, designing, and prototyping for individuals, startups, and businesses. Key MacroFab services include PCB (Printed Circuit Board) fabrication, assembly, and testing. Customers can use MacroFab's platform to upload their PCB designs, select components, and specify manufacturing requirements.

We Want to Hear From You!

Next Episode

EP#443: Conductive Cuisine

In this episode of Circuit Break, Parker Dillmann and Stephen Kraig delve into the fascinating and somewhat humorous topic of hot dog conductivity. They explore an in-depth study conducted by Seth Jenkins, Neil LaTourette, and Brendan Liverman on how boiling time affects hot dog conductivity. The hosts also discuss the historical Presto Hot Dogger, community experiments involving hot dogs, and various methods of cooking hot dogs, all while interspersing their own anecdotes and insights. This episode is a blend of scientific curiosity and light-hearted banter, making for an entertaining listen.

Key Discussion Points:

Introduction to hot dog conductivity and its surprising properties.
Shout out to Seth Jenkins, Neil LaTourette, and Brendan Liverman for their 2007 study on hot dog conductivity.
Historical gadget: The Presto Hot Dogger and its mechanism.
BigCliveDotCom's high-voltage experiment with the Presto Hot Dogger.
The Thought Emporium's thermite-based "Instant Hot Dog" device.
Methodology of Jenkins, LaTourette, and Liverman's experiment on hot dog conductivity.
Scientific explanation of why boiled hot dogs conduct electricity.
Results and observations: Boiling time and its effect on conductivity.
Engineering curiosities and implications for food safety and electrical experimentation.
Personal anecdotes and nostalgia related to hot dog preparation.
Various methods of cooking hot dogs: boiling, grilling, pan-frying, and the Presto Hot Dogger.
Community debate on the best way to cook hot dogs.

Relevant Links:

Community Questions:

What is your favorite method of cooking hot dogs and why?
Have you ever experimented with unconventional ways of cooking food? Share your experiences!
What are your thoughts on using hot dogs as conductors in electrical experiments?

MacroFab:

We Want to Hear From You!