This Miracle Machine turns water into wine

Kevin Boyer and Phillip James have created a device that quite literally turns water into wine in just a few days using a low amount of heat and a specialized Atmel-based, Arduino-controlled environment.

“Initially we have sourced 6 wine types that The Miracle Machine and its smartphone app (iOS and Android) will help you make,” the duo explained on the project’s official website.

“These are a full-bodied Cabernet Sauvignon and rich Chardonnay from Napa Valley, a cool climate Pinot Noir from Oregon, an aged Tuscan blend from Italy, Sauvignon Blanc from Sonoma, and a delicate red and a steely white from Burgundy. We expect to add 5-10 more over the next 3 months.”

According to Boyer and James, customers will be able to buy the grape concentrate, yeast and the final sachet of ingredients once the product officially launches. Each kit will make a different type of wine, with the Miracle Machine team ultimately planning to roll out a low-cost ($10) monthly “wine” club kit.

So, how does the device work? Well, 

as Phillip James told Wine-Searcher, at the heart of the miracle machine lies the fermentation chamber.

“Obviously we’re keeping the exact science under wraps, but we can tell you the chamber uses an array of electrical sensors, transducers, heaters and pumps to provide a controlled environment for the primary and, as needed, secondary fermentation stages. For example, while a digital refractometer measures the sugar content of the liquid during the fermentation process, a custom-designed ceramic air-diffuser pumps filtered air under a regulated micro-oxygenated environment, aerating the wine and thus softening the tannins,” James explained.

“Meanwhile an ultrasonic transducer, positioned directly underneath the chamber, resonates effectively speeding up the flavour development of the wine. Each of these components, and others, are connected to an Arduino microcontroller that ensures the Miracle Machine is doing its job of making a fine wine of your creation in just a matter of days.”

Boyer and James say they plan on launching a Kickstarter campaign in the near future. Bits & Pieces will keep you posted, but in the meantime, you can check out the official Miracle Machine website here and Yahoo’s (UK) write up of the product here.

Cortado – connecting physical things to the digital world

The Atmel-powered (ATmega328P) Cortado is designed to easily connect physical devices to the digital world. Targeted at Makers and developers, the Cortado can be wirelessly programmed with Arduino sketches across a number of popular platforms, including iOS, Android, Mac (OS X) and Windows. Meaning, users can make, build and invent from any device, in any place.

“Since there are no wires needed to program it, you can build the Cortado right into your next project. Easily tweak a line of code even after finishing your enclosure. Grab a coffee and write some quick code without taking the Cortado out of your backpack,” a PunchThroughDesign rep wrote in a recent blog post.

“An RGB LED and three-axis accelerometer enable thousands of applications without requiring any modifications. Create a motion alarm to warn you if someone moves your bike. Get wireless notifications for text messages, emails, and Facebook posts. Build an iPhone-controlled Nerf gun turret. The possibilities are endless.”

On the software side, users are encouraged to interact with the Cortado via the specially coded LightBlue app.

“Scan for all nearby devices and connect without ever having to navigate complicated settings. Or go a step further and write an app on your favorite platform. Making a smart phone accessory has never been this easy,” the PunchThroughDesign rep explained.

“LightBlue can connect to any Bluetooth LE peripherals, but when connected to Cortado it offers a simple UI customized to the Cortado’s functions. Or if you prefer to view the actual characteristics, you can return to the classic view. Interacting with hardware is now as close as your favorite smartphone or tablet.”

Aside from Atmel’s ATmega328P microcontroller (MCU), key Cortado specs include:

• Three-axis accelerometer
• RGB LED
• 4 PWM pins, 2 Analog inputs, 8 GPIO
• I2C and SPI Hardware Peripherals
• Coin cell battery
• Battery life exceeding one year for low power applications
• Daisy chain for extended range >100ft (30.5m)
• Protoboard section
• Adhesive backing

Interested in learning more? You can check out Cortado’s official page here.

Phoenix 3D printer – powered by the ATMega1284P

The Phoenix 3D printer – powered by Atmel’s versatile ATMega1284P – is a low-cost, fully loaded entry-level printer with a heated bed, comprehensive management software and print failure recovery.

According to the Phoenix crew, the 3D printer emphasizes the software side of things, as it helps Makers manage filament and group STL files into logical groups. Perhaps most importantly, the device offers a unique feature: print recovery mode.

“3D printers are still susceptible to many flaws, including filament tangles and nozzle jams. Should something go wrong in the middle of your 12 hour print, you used to have to throw it in the trash and start over,” the Phoenix 3D printer cew explained in a recent Kickstarter post.

“With our software, we allow you to pause the print, fix your tangled filament or clogged nozzle, rewind the print to the point of failure, and try again. Our software also works directly with our iOS mobile app (Android version forthcoming).”

The Phoenix 3D printer also differs from other units in terms of its Z Axis, as it swaps the screw for a belt, facilitating optimized walls and edges without a wobble pattern.

Additional key specs include:

• Build Area: 240 x 215 x 200 millimeters
• Resolution: 0.1mm all around
• 12-volt, 40-watt heater 0.35mm brass nozzle
• Heated build platform, which means you can print with ABS!
• 12-volt, 20-amp, 240-watt power supply
• Integrated filament spool holder. No need to buy special or proprietary cartridges!
• Adjustable Z-axis cutoff switch for reliable print starts

Interested in learning more about the Atmel-powered Phoenix 3D printer? Be sure to check out the project’s official page on Kickstarter.

The RK-1 is an Arduino-based mobile robot for iOS and Android

The RK-1 – designed by Evangelos Georgiou – is a WiFi-enabled robot that can be easily controlled on iOS and Android mobile devices using swipe gestures.

“I love building and programming mobile robots. Because of my love of mobile robots, mobile phones/tablets and the Arduino, I combined them to make a prototype called the ‘RK-1.’ [So] thank you to Arduino for an amazing open source microcontroller platform!” Georgiou wrote in a recent Kickstarter post.

“[Basically], the idea is to give the [open source] community the ability to make Arduino projects mobile. There is no end to what you can do – [adding] sensors and actuators to this fun little device and [controlling] it remotely.”

A full hardware breakdown for the RK-1 is as follows:

• Programmable Arduino microcontroller
• Wireless control over wifi
• Dual H-bridge motor controller
• LIPO battery (chargeable via a mini USB cable)
• Acrylic base
• Tank tracks and DC motors

“The free software to control the robot is available via Apple’s iTunes app store or Google play,” Georgiou noted. “It is [also] possible to read analog signals from devices (sensors) connected to the Arduino micro controller. [Plus], you can change the state of digital ports from high to low.”

Additional information about the RK-1 can be found on the robot’s official Kickstarter page.