Mindstorms Robots Create Artificial Bone Samples

Created by: Scientists from Cambridge University

Found at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=WBEtUJmp05w

Details: Building artificial bones is a very time-consuming, tedious process. As explained in the video here, it requires dipping a sample into a mix of calcium and protein, rinsing it, and then dipping it into a mix of phosphate and protein. This process has to be done over and over again. Needing a quick way to automate the process, they turned to the education edition of the LEGO Mindstorms NXT kit. In something of a rare occurrence, the comments at the YouTube link above are actually helpful and explain more about how these robots were made. Most surprisingly, they were able to get the correct amount of precision out of the robots using the graphical language (NXT-G) that LEGO ships with the kit. Also explained in the comments: why there are three motors on robots that only have two degrees of motion (arm back/forth and winch up/down). Most impressively, one of the builders mentions that it was their first time using Mindstorms!

Portfolio of a Former LEGOLAND Model Designer

Created by: William Webb

Found at (different photos at each of these links: Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/williamwebbdesign/collections/72157629378391069/ MOCpages: http://mocpages.com/home.php/1053 Brickshelf: http://www.brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?m=LEGO-DESIGNER

Details: Shown here: a Titanic model built for LEGO Mexico to tie in with the movie of the same name. This is one of many models built by William Webb, who recently has been documenting some of his work for the LEGO company (which dates from 1997 to 2005). To commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Titanic's voyage, he's offering to sell simplified versions of this particular model. His other work is well worth checking out, and covers the full range of LEGOLAND models. You'll want to look at all three of the links above, as each one of them has some photos that the others don't.

Now THIS is Pest Control

Name of Model: Building a Better Mouse Trap

Created by: True Dimensions

Found at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/truedimensions/6794194078/in/photostream

Details: I love it when people use Lego to solve real-world problems, and this is a brilliant example. It works and didn't cost True Dimensions a penny. The mechanics and clever use of magnets to keep the door closed make it that much cooler.

Collapsible Building

Name of Model: Collapsible Building

Created by: Duane Hess (Legozilla)

Found at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/legozilla/sets/72157629083690682/

Details: Ever feel like it takes up too much space to store and transport your large town buildings? There's now a solution for that - collapsible buildings. This model looks great on it's own, but it's also a nice proof-of-concept for bigger and more complicated things. Now that hinge bricks (in white) are a common Pick-A-Brick part, it's pretty affordable to handle modularity this way. There's nothing stopping us from dropping floors into a design like this - and those floors could be taken out at shows without dismantling the whole building. For the first time, I think we have a real challenger to the Cafe Corner standard for town creations - and there's nothing stopping anyone from making a building like this also conform to the CC standard.

Minifig Scale AT-AT

Name of Model: AT-AT

Created by: 2x4

Found at: http://www.mocpages.com/moc.php/309804

Details: Many LEGO AT-ATs have been made, including an official LEGO set, but this takes the cake. As I understand, this is an incredibly detailed minifig-scale model. Although I'm not a Star Wars fan (and actually have yet to see the movies) I can still appreciate the skill needed to pull off such a large and accurate model. By adding a snowy base and the Luke minifig, 2x4 adds some extra realism and scale to the presentation.

Toy Fair 2012

Name of Model: Toy Fair 2012

Found at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/fbtbnet/

Details: There's really only one thing to talk about today in LEGO news: Toy Fair 2012. This is the first time we've gotten a clear look at many upcoming sets. Brickset has a round up of press coverage (as if picking up the slack for us...) FBTB's coverage is still fairly raw at this point (it's not yet organized to the point of me being able to link to all of it at once, and it looks to me like they may still be uploading photos as I write this). You can watch their flickr photostream for photos as they come in. They also have some video clips from the event. Creatacor's flickr photos Paul Nomad's flickr photos: Super Heroes Lord of the Rings Star Wars jmenomeno's flickr photos

Canadian Parliamentary Buildings

Name of Model: LEGO parliament buildings

Created by: Sara DeFehr

Found at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w7ztgSC56c4

Details: Sara DeFehr is one of the many great builders who is sorely under-represented online because she passed away before the Adult Fan Of LEGO (AFOL) community really took off. For a number of reasons, it was a very different time - LEGO wasn't marketed towards adults as much as it is today, and the selection of available parts and colors was much smaller. Specializing in scale models of Canadian Parliamentary buildings, she earned some notoriety and was filmed for the clip above. The models featured in the clip are the Manitoba Legislature Building, New Brunswick Legislature Building, Winnipeg Old City Hall, and a version of Gruenfeld, Ukraine. Info on her work is scarce, but what's survived of her creations has found its way to the Toy and Plastic Brick Museum, where several 0f her models have been (or are in the process of being) dusted off, repaired, and put on display.

Virulence VV

Name of Model: Virulence VV

Created by: Legohaulic

Found at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/legohaulic/6422265995/in/photostream

Details: Legohaulic has once again built an amazing and unique ship. The rare color sand purple is only available in a few parts, but they are used fantastically here. The interesting, curved shape is also neat.

Suitcase

Name of Model: Lego Luggage to Lug around your Lego

Created by: monsterbrick (Matt Armstrong)

Found at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/monsterbrick/tags/suitcase/

Details: Every once in a while, you hear someone dismiss a LEGO creation as a variation on a box. I believe that this is the only counterargument necessary - it's indisputably a box, and yet it's still a distinctive and fantastic creation. The dark tan corners are an excellent use of the 3x3 wedge plate (I will never understand why a wedge plate is one of the few pieces LEGO makes widely available in that color). The use of a rope bridge as the handle is inspired - it also doubles nicely as a working latch. The parts made to look like latches are a rare great use of Vehicle, Base 4 x 5, with some nice pearl gold on the top. I don't know where the LEGO logo towel is from (I want one!), but the boat rigging holding it in (this piece, I think) pushes this over the top.

128 Pictures from LEGOLAND California at Halloween

Photos by: marcorbito

Found at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/marcorbito/tags/legoland/

Details: If you liked last week's look at LEGOLAND California at Halloween, I have a real treat for you - another large photo gallery of highlights from LEGOLAND California in October in 2010. There are plenty more exciting scenes here, including many that weren't in the photoset featured last week. There are (of course) more trick or treaters (note the clever use of the large spider's web in the window), as well as a haunted house (seen above), an homage to Michael Jackson's Thriller, and a giant pumpkin sculpture. I had mentioned the funeral procession last week, but the view shown this week gives us an interesting look at hearse, people and musical instruments. I'm thrilled any time we get a good look at useful techniques at the LEGOLAND parks, but it only gets better when we see the extra seasonal goodies added in. Have a Happy Halloween, everybody!