Luminescent Vortex

As part of the my Tech Design class in high school, I got to create a toy for children with disabilities at Sunny View Public School.

Look at that satisfying vortex!

The inspiration for this project is a magnetic stirrer used in chemistry labs. A small magnetic stir bar in liquid is rotated by an motor, controlled by a button, creating a vortex that is so mesmerizing to watch.

To build this toy, I tore apart a cheap magnetic stirrer and used the motor and stir bar. The liquid I used is tonic water, which illuminates under UV light. I then CADed a water tight enclosure using rubber gaskets, added a button, and a flexible UV lamp. I then machined the parts on a lathe and drill press (and also manually threaded the support shafts... not fun), and delivered the final product to the school.