Hasta La Gadget!

When you care enough to give the very best, you’d best give it in something as awesomely geeky as this custom TARDIS ring box, built by Modelmaker Paul Pape. Give it to your favorite companion and let them know how you feel.

Unlike the actual TARDIS, this one has rings inside instead of a control panel. And since these rings are a symbol of how your heart feels, it really is bigger on the inside. It holds two rings and even lights up. Paul created all of the wiring and switches himself, and the box is made out of micro plywood and sheets of his laser-cut wood door and window model pieces called Pop-Out Woodies.

He’s actually made a couple of versions of the box – one with doors that open to reveal a pair of rings, and the other that pops up from the top and holds a single ring.

When you give one of these, it says “I really like you. Care to step inside my big blue box?”

Paul makes all sorts of awesome custom engagement ring boxes, and you can order one for yourself for between $300 and $800(USD) depending on the complexity.

[via When Geeks Wed via The Mary Sue]

A few months ago we saw how a smart guy figured out how to make small 3D printed records that could be played on a toy turntable. Instructables employee Amanda Ghassaei has trumped that hack: she figured out how to 3D printed records that can be played on any turntable, just like an ordinary vinyl record.

Whereas the audio on the 3D printed toy records had to be input note by note on a custom software, Amanda was able to write a program that automated the process in a very precise manner: “It works by importing raw audio data, performing some calculations to generate the geometry of a record, and eventually exporting this geometry straight to the STL file format (used by all 3D printers).” Sadly, even the high-end Object Connex 500 printers at the Instructables office were unable to encode the geometry at a resolution high enough to create a high quality record. But the fact that even this is now possible is still nothing less than mind-blowing.

Wow. 3D printing hardware’s only going to improve in time, so I’m sure Amanda can eventually recreate professional grade records should she pursue it. Once again we’re seeing people using current technology to go back to a more physical and tactile interaction with gadgets. 3D printing is the bee’s 3D printed knees. Check out the links below for more details on Amanda’s project.

[via Instructables & Amanda Ghassaei via I Heart Chaos]

When most people say “bath salts” these days, you think they’re talking about the nasty drug trend that’s been sweeping through the nation lately, and not something you actually use for a relaxing soak in the tub. But there are still actual products that you can use to take a bath with and not turn into a maniac and eat someone’s face off. This particular bath acoutrement is unusual because of the addition of an unlikely ingredient – ink.

Instead of coming out of the package as clear or white crystals, these bath salts pour out with an unusual blue-black color. They’ve actually been made with ink from Japan’s Kaimei & Co., who have been producing india ink for calligraphy for over 115 years.

What’s unclear from the product description is whether or not the ink leaves any sort of residue on your skin. I’m doubting that it does, or else nobody would buy the stuff. If you’re interested in finding out if you can get an instant tattoo while you take a bath, you can order the Ink Bath Salts for $3(USD) a pack over at White Rabbit Express and try them out for yourself.

For generations, Santa has been cruising around Christmas Eve in his red sleigh pulled by his flying reindeer. Scientists at GE think it’s time for Santa Claus to update his ride with some new high-tech materials. So scientists have come up with a greener and smarter sleigh to help Santa get around the world tonight delivering gifts.

The concept sleigh would use 3-D printed parts, including a more aerodynamic blade design that improves energy efficiency. It’s also sprayed with nanotech Icephobic coatings to repel ice and water. The sleigh is constructed using Ceramic Matrix Composites in the frame, enabling it to travel into space and return to Earth without burning up on re-entry. Considering this thing is an open top sleigh, Santa will need a spacesuit.

The sleigh is also equipped with an electric traction motor that has MEMS switching technology to take over the powertrain when the reindeer to rest. In addition, it’s connected to the Internet, allowing Santa to navigate efficiently around air traffic and keep an eye on the last minute naughty or nice list updates. Check out more details about Santa’s shiny new ride in the Flash widget below:

Signal Snowboards has invented one of the most fun ways to charge a gadget: juicing up while snowboarding. The company made a one-of-a-kind snowboard that’s topped with solar panels (and most likely a battery), letting it act as a solar charger even while being used.

The unique charger was made possible by PowerFilm Solar’s paper-thin, tough and waterproof solar panels. And whatever the hell is holding the gadget that’s being charged.

A charger that’s portable and rideable? Gnarly.

[via NetworkA via Inhabitat]