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For the mathematically-inclined, various numbering sequences are of interest and a more popular one is the Fibonacci sequence. For the uninitiated, Fibonacci numbers may start with zero, then follow on with 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, 55, 89, 144 and so on. Each number is calculated by adding the two numbers before it, for example 8 = 5 + 3, 55 = 34 + 21, and so on. You can learn more about these here and here. 

The generation of these are a classic programming challenge, and one taken by Caleb from the Hobby Hobbyist blog. He's used an Arduino to calculate the number sequence and display them in binary form using eight LEDs, as shown in the following video:

Caleb provides the sketch to recreate this yourself on his website, which leaves it open for performance enhancement and experimenting. And for more, we're on facebook, Google+, and twitter - so follow us for news and product updates as well. 

Although making and flying your own model aircraft, quadcopters and so on is a lot of fun, part of that fun is understanding the performance and limits of the equipment. One parameter of interest is the maximum altitude, and to track this you can make a simple logging altimeter as described by Instructables member qubist. 

They've squeezed a tiny Arduino-compatible board, an even smaller LiPo battery, altitude sensor and a retro 7-segment LED display into a tiny box which can be fitted to the aircraft in question. It can be programmed to display the current altitude, and also of course log the time of flight, altitude history or any other parameter you can realise. A quick demonstration is shown in the following video:

That's useful, simple and very well done - so to learn how visit the project Instructable page. And for more, we're on facebook, twitter and Google+, so follow us for news and product updates as well. 

Having fun with RGB LEDs and an Arduino can be somewhat limited due to the number of PWM (pulse-width modulation) pins available on the board. There are several ways around this, such as using TLC5940 or other LED driver ICs - which can get expensive. However it's possible to use inexpensive 74HC595 shift registers instead, and this has been made possible by Elco Jacobs and his ShiftPWM Arduino library.

Doing so is quite easy and with the library and included demonstration schematics, you can control eight RGB LEDs (that's 24 individual LEDs) with PWM with only three shift registers. However you can use less or more shift registers. 

You can download the library and view some other interesting items from Elco's website. And for more, we're on facebook, Google+, and twitter - so follow us for news and product updates as well.

If you're interested in experimenting with RGB LEDs as demonstrated above, we're offering large and bright 8mm diameter RGB LEDs:

They're in the common-anode format and look great when lit up. Ideal for colour-mixing and creating displays of all sorts. For more information and to order, visit the product page. 

And now for something totall different is the following 3D position-sensing device by Instructables member birdyberth. By using five inexpensive ultrasonic distance sensors mounted onto brackets controlled by servos, the distance between an object (for example a human hand) and the device can be determined.

Thus by using multiple sensors at different angles, the object's location in space (at the desk, not outer...) can also be determined and the resulting output used for various tasks, one of which as a mouse for a PC. This is easily done using an Arduino Leonardo or compatible board thanks to the simplicity of the HID interface on these boards. The creator takes the device for a test run in the following video:

Absolutely fantastic, something that could have been out of a science fiction movie can now be made at home, so visit the Instructable to get started. And for more, we're on facebook, Google+, and twitter - so follow us for news and product updates as well.

With some effort a wide range of robotics devices can be recreated using the Arduino platform, and one example of this is by Instructables user ThomasKNR who demonstrates his own successful version. A Stewart Platform is one that can be moved in six axes, and requires six matching actuators (or in this case servos) in order to move the platform to any angle or height possible.

It's a neat device that can be used to position a camera, or in an opposite manner and provide the hardware behind a self-levelling system with the appropriate sensors. However this example is controlled by infra-red remote control yet leaves itself open for various modifications. 

To learn more about the platform, including the required design files and Arduino sketch - visit the project Instructable page. And for more, we're on facebook, twitter and Google+, so follow us for news and product updates as well. 

Looking for a rapid-use LCD for your Arduino projects? Save time and move forward with the Freetronics LCD & Keypad shield which contains a bright 16x2 character LCD and five buttons that can be read from only one analog input pin:

It's hard to believe Tetris has been around for over 25 years, yet is still an engaging and playable game. You can now recreate this with Arduino-comaptible boards and some inexpensive LED matrix kits as described by Instructables member jollifactory. They use common MAX7219-driven LED matrix kits, and two units provide enough pixels for a playable game. With the addition of a few buttons and a neat enclosure - the game is ready, and a quick demonstration is shown in the following video:

That's pretty cool, and the code could be translated for other display types - perhaps a DMD for a larger display? In the meanwhile, check out the project Instructable for complete details. And for more, we're on facebook, Google+, and twitter - so follow us for news and product updates as well.

Although it's possible to monitor data captured via an Arduino-connected sensor with a PC, directly manipulating it in real time can be an issue if your programming skills are lacking. However an interesting example has been published by Arduino forum member alina who demonstrates how to read the data from a DHT22 temperature/humidity sensor connected to an Arduino via python on a PC. Doing so gives you the framework to understand how python code and capture Arduino serial data, and then work with it to meet your requirements. 

To get started, log in to the Arduino forum. And for more, we're on facebook, twitter and Google+, so follow us for news and product updates as well.

If you're looking for a sensor to measure temperature and humidity - check out our HUMID: humidity and temperature sensor module. Designed around the DHT22 sensor, it only requires one digital pin and power - and is easy to use with out Quick Start guide. With a temperature range of -4°C to +125°C with +/-0.5°C accuracy, and humidity at 0-100% with 2-5% accuracy you're ready to measure. For more information and to order, click here.