Breaking Taps Courses

SpaceX Thermal Tiles vs NASA Shuttle Tiles - A Comparative Analysis

Explore the evolution of spacecraft thermal protection, comparing NASA's pioneering designs with SpaceX's innovative approach. Uncover the similarities, differences, and advancements in heat shield technology for space exploration.

• YouTube
• 25 minutes
• Self-Paced
• Free Video

Making Camera Pixels from Copper

Explore the creation of photosensitive pixels using copper oxide in this fascinating experiment, delving into semiconductor physics and advanced microscopy techniques.

• YouTube
• 30 minutes
• Self-Paced
• Free Video

Speedrunning 30 Years of Lithography Technology

Explore the journey of replicating 30 years of lithography technology advancements, from assembly challenges to breakthroughs, in this engaging and informative video on semiconductor manufacturing.

• YouTube
• 46 minutes
• Self-Paced
• Free Video

Cutting Mirrors with Diamonds - Optical Mirror Fabrication Techniques

Explore diamond-based optical mirror creation techniques, focusing on precision cutting methods and applications in quantum optics and advanced scientific instruments.

• YouTube
• 19 minutes
• Self-Paced
• Free Video

Laser Melting Metal onto Glass

Discover the fascinating process of laser metal deposition on glass, exploring techniques for silver, aluminum, copper, invar, titanium, and niobium in this engaging experimental demonstration.

• YouTube
• 16 minutes
• Self-Paced
• Free Video

Designing Space-Grade Hinges: From Press-Fit to PEEK Bushings

Explore the intricate process of designing and manufacturing space-grade hinges through multiple iterations, from basic press-fits to advanced PEEK bushings and precision machining techniques.

• YouTube
• 35 minutes
• Self-Paced
• Free Video

Liquid Metal Magnetohydrodynamic Reaction Wheel for Satellites

Explore the fascinating concept of liquid metal-based reaction wheels for satellites using magnetohydrodynamic effects, including design principles and practical applications.

• YouTube
• 13 minutes
• Self-Paced
• Free Video

Making a Robotic Muscle is Hard

Discover the challenges of creating custom electromagnetic actuators for robotic applications through hands-on engineering problem-solving and troubleshooting techniques.

• YouTube
• 34 minutes
• Self-Paced
• Free Video

Electron Beam Lithography - Drawing Images with Electrons

Electron beam lithography with a scanning electron microscope, from PMMA resist selection and development through dose dependence, proximity effects, and pattern results.

• YouTube
• 25 minutes
• Self-Paced
• Free Video

Making DIY Lenses with Epoxy

Make epoxy lenses through replication molding, examining mold materials, shrinkage, temperature, residual stress, and optical finish.

• YouTube
• 24 minutes
• Self-Paced
• Free Video

Too Good to Be True? Low Temperature Sintering

An experimental investigation into whether silicon carbide can be sintered at low temperature, examining processing, microstructure, mechanical performance, and alternative explanations.

• YouTube
• 22 minutes
• Self-Paced
• Free Video

Poking Atoms With a Very Sharp Stick

Demonstrates atomic force microscopy through a DIY macro-AFM and real scans of precision-finished materials.

• YouTube
• 23 minutes
• Self-Paced
• Free Video

DIY Laser Lithography - Micron Resolution

Build a DIY direct-write laser lithography system for creating micron-scale patterns in photoresist.

• YouTube
• 22 minutes
• Self-Paced
• Free Video

DIY Scanning Laser Microscope

Build a 3D-printed scanning laser confocal microscope with an OpenFlexure stage, photodiode detector, Raspberry Pi control, and surface-profilometry imaging.

• YouTube
• 22 minutes
• Self-Paced
• Free Video