Greetings! I live with my wife Rebekah in rural Maine where I work out of my solar powered and heated barn workshop.    I started this web site in 1997 and add to it when I have new things to share, it now includes well over 280 pages.  I update the site frequently, so there's often something new to see.  Check below for the latest updates. In recent years I have come to define myself as a "creator".  This concept encompasses the many media and technologies with which I work, all require the idea of creating or designing something new.  This is what gets me up every morning and keeps me going every day.  Creating. Those cool glasses are Superfocus adjustable focus lenses. Since 2001 I have made a big commitment to live as sustainably as possible and my web site documents all my efforts to reduce the waste and energy footprint of our lifestyle.  The main reason I share this information is to inform and educate others who are equally committed to saving our planet from the impending disasters that climate change portends. Share |

	Last updated: Tuesday January 24, 2012 1/24/12 My newest LED artwork is titled "Drip" 10/21/11 My friend Maret Hensick did a nice portrait of me on her iPad for her series of people at work. 10/2/11 Installed real-time temperature monitoring for the Heat Recovery Ventilator in my workshop. 9/20/11 Last 3 months electric bills were break even thanks to extra solar panels. 7/1/11 Installed 1 more 180 Watt solar panel on my workshop. 6/29/11 Installed 2 more 175 Watt solar panels on my workshop.

	BUILDING PROTOTYPES Since the mid 1980's I have worked with inventors and small companies to build custom electronic prototypes of all kinds. Here you will find my background, examples, and a detailed example of my design process. ENGINEERING FOR ARTISTS I work with artists to design electronic controls for their light, kinetic, video, audio and multi-media work.  Here you will find an extensive gallery documenting many projects large and small.

	My wife and I are committed to living sustainably, here are blogs and information about all the things we do to live lightly on the planet. LIVING SUSTAINABLY On this page I list all the things that we do to live sustainably from owning 2 hybrid vehicles to simple no-cost things like composting and recycling rechargeable batteries. By modeling the world we want to see maybe others will join us in living lightly on the planet without compromising a comfortable lifestyle. SOLAR POWER SYSTEM My blog documents the process of financing, designing, purchasing and installing a 4kW solar power system.  My friends and neighbors helped install it in the summer of 2009.  The system consists of 23 175 Watt solar panels with Enphase M190 inverters behind each panel that convert solar power directly to 240 Volts AC right on the roof.  By installing it myself, I saved about $9000.  See the real time energy stats here. SOLAR HEATING FOR MY WORKSHOP In 2001 I designed and built a solar augmented heating system for the radiant floor in my workshop.  The backup is propane, and I later added a wood stove to reduce the propane consumption.  This blog documents the initial construction and the continuing improvements and lessons learned.  See real-time system stats here. SOLAR DOMESTIC WATER In July 2006 I installed a solar domestic water heating system with the help of my friends.   This blog documents the installation of a solar system that was purchased as a complete off-the-shelf kit, although I made a few modifications.  See real time monitoring of this system. LIVE ENERGY MONITORING I have installed real-time energy monitoring equipment with live web interfaces to make my energy use and savings transparent: ●Solar electric power generated and historical records of energy usage ●Solar domestic water heater ●Solar building heating system for my workshop (shut down in summer/fall) ●Heat recovery Ventilator temperatures in my workshop HEAT RECOVERY VENTILATION SYSTEM IN MY WORKSHOP In October 2008 I installed a heat recovery ventilator in my workshop because the building is so well sealed in the winter that I was concerned about indoor air quality.  This inexpensive system brings in fresh and removes stale air while recovering 86% of the heat as it exits the building. TANKLESS WATER HEATER In June 2010 we replaced our failed 50 gallon water heater with a tankless on demand unit that conserves energy by not losing heat all day from a tank. SOLAR LAWN MOWER In July 2005 I converted a gas lawn mower by replacing the old polluting gas engine with a 12 Volt electric motor run from a battery that charges from solar electric panels on my shed roof. In my blog I have detailed every step of the process so that others can build their own quiet zero emission conversion that runs on free solar power. THERMAL WINDOWS In 2008 my friend Topher came up with a design for an interior thermal storm window that can be made easily and inexpensively.  If placed in all the windows of a home these simple frames of double pane shrink film can save hundreds of dollars in heating bills in colder climates. My complete instructions with detailed pictures show you how to build these simple energy savers.  Thousands of these windows have been built by individuals and community groups since the fall of 2008. WIND STUDY In April 2010 I decided to evaluate my site for a potential vertical axis wind turbine on the roof of my workshop for a year.  So I purchased a weather station that can log wind data.  This blog documents what I learned. At right is the real-time local weather from my station as reported on Weather Underground's site, click the image for more detail.

	FURNITURE My furnishings are all based on a theme of thin vertical staves as a primary visual/structural element.  I work primarily in native woods; maple, cherry, walnut and some exotics. I have exhibited in craft shows and galleries across the country since 1997.  Here you will find a catalog of my designs, information about how I work and where to find my work. CANOE In July 2007 I decided that I needed a small, light canoe that my wife and I could use to paddle around Maine's beautiful rivers and lakes. This detailed blog shows the construction of my 14 foot stitched lap strake canoe, made from plans in a book.  Made from 4mm marine plywood with some fiberglass it weighs less than 47lbs.

	SOLAR DIFFERENTIAL TEMPERATURE CONTROLLERS These simple and affordable controllers will improve the performance of solar heating systems by preventing a solar powered circulation pump from running if the collectors become cooler than the storage tank.  MAGNETIC LEVITATION KIT This simple electronic kit uses magnetic levitation to suspend small objects up to about 1/2 ounce (15 Grams) or so in mid air.  This is an ideal Science Project for ages 12 and up! Defy gravity!  Enhance levity! Assembled and tested versions as well as parts kits with detailed instructions from $38.00

	MY ELECTRONIC ARTWORKS I began making electronic artworks in the mid 1980's.  My work has exhibited in museums and galleries throughout the country and is in several private collections. My current work (left) focuses on LED light paintings.  At left is "Drip", a kinetic interactive artwork that simulated droplets forming and dropping.

	In the media IN THE MEDIA Over the last few years I have been writing articles for the press on sustainability issues for Home Power magazine and others.  Collected on my site are all these articles and also press about me or the things that I do. WEB CAMS Shows live image of my workshop and solar array, and live image of our house.  Images update every minute. (if images are black - it's dark outside!) BIO A brief pictorial history of my life. At left I am posing with the Enterprise model while shooting visual effects for "Star Trek the Motion Picture" in 1979. MY WIFE: Rebekah Younger Becky is closing down her Younger Knits business at the end of 2011. Her new design consulting business inSite Contemplative Design is about creating space in environments for contemplation or relaxation.  She has a separate blog about Contemplative Design.  She is also teaching Shambhala Arts, photography and various other classes.  In 2009 she completed her MFA in interdisciplinary arts in photography, video and installation.  Her artwork can be seen on her web site and blog.

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"Do or do not. There is no try."
Yoda