Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

A

2 (22.2%)

B

7 (77.8%)

Total Members Voted: 9

[Chiefwaffles]

October 24, 2016

You decide to go take a gander at the databases in military and government offices. The only problem being the fact that you have no idea how to get into one.
Oh well. Where's the fun in life if you aren't risking being arrested for treason?

...

Okay. It turns out you cannot, in fact, use your government or military IDs to actually enter the secure places. Hopefully they didn't get a picture of your face. Now onto attempt two: Online databases!
It goes much better. Using your ID, you can access some various research files. You can't find anything particularly juicy or futuristic, but there are definitely some helpful archived files on experimentation with fuel cells. Now, being the prodigy that you are, you've already determined most of this, but the millions of dollars to R&D definitely helped and they have some insights that you didn't think of. You're sure you would have thought of them given time, but a real genius takes shortcuts.

Using the aforementioned data, your own supergenius, $50 and the existing MK3, you create the Hydrogen Fuel Cell MK4! It costs the same as the MK3 to make - $170, but it's been greatly miniaturized. It's now a cylinder with a diameter of 3 inches and a height matching 1 foot. Power output and fuel use is the same, but some rather interesting techniques in various components were gleaned from the government data.
You also used this as an opportunity to redesign an aspect of the fuel cell. While previous iterations were essentially just engines - being built into something and requiring occasional refueling, the MK4 offers a new way of using it in addition to the previous ways. The new size and some clever additions by yours truly means the MK4 can be inserted and removed in a way similar to a battery. Build a slot accepting it and simply insert the MK4 to begin power output, then take it out when done.

It's still possible to refuel it while it's plugged in, via built-in methods (if you don't want the MK4 to be removable from an item), or just routing the fueling tube-thing into the top of the MK4 while it's already plugged in.

Now time to do some good 'ol scavenging. At the local recycling center, you search around for some scrap metal in what's definitely a totally 100% legal way. At the end, you net 4 pieces of scrap metal. And at a local e-recycling event, you find 3 old nokia phones. You also consider ways of finding a new screen for your terminal, but that's tricky. You could buy a basic consumer-grade monitor from just about any electronics store for $200, try to scavenge a worse screen that can be fitted right into your terminal, or somehow make your own visual interface for it.

Before going to bed for the night, you consider inventing things.
It is possible to come up with a concept of something beforehand, but the potential is greatly reduced without things to tinker with, and the end result will probably be worse. It's not impossible, but you like to get your hands dirty when inventing new things.
Now, coming up with a basic concept of something in regards to tentatively thinking of what you'll need? That's probably a-okay.

You harvested 2 ml of venom, selling 1 ml for a jaw-dropping $20 and turning the other 1 ml into its powdered version.
You got $60 at your new part-time job.

Spoiler: You (click to show/hide)

Cash: $42
Housing: Trashy Garage
Holdings:
Structures

• Makeshift Data Terminal
• Hydrogen Fuel Cell MK3
• Basic Chemistry Equipment (Flasks, Tubing, Beakers, Safety Equipment, Bunsen Burner,  Measuring Equipment, Droppers etc.)
  
  • Peltier Heat Pump (Cooling Device)
• Makeshift Terrarium [2 Deadly Scorpions]
• Roach Trap [Feeding 2/3 scorpions]

Tools & Equipment

• Cheap Welder
• Handheld Drill
• Shovel
• Glass Cutter
• Stinger-resistant Gloves
• Protective Work Gear - Boots, Gloves, Painter's Equipment, Goggles, Respirator
• Basic Chemicals (Used for experiments; doesn't require replenishment)

Creatures - See "Creatures" spoiler.
Miscellaneous Creations

• Microwave Area Jammer
• Battery-less Buggy
• 6 ml Powdered Venom
• 1 ml Lasting Venom (Expires in: 4 days)

Items and Materials

• 1 ml Nitroglycerin
• 4x Scrap Metal
• 6x Electronics
• 1x Scrap Electronics
• 1x Plumbing Parts
• 1x Gas-filled Fire Extinguisher
• 2x Regular Computer Parts
• 3x Old Phones

Weapons

• Shock Baton
• 1x Glock 20

Ammunition

• 1x 10mm Magazine - 17/17
• 1x 10mm Magazine - 11/17

Miscellaneous Items

• Fake University Scientist ID
• Fake Military Scientist ID
• Fake Government Scientist ID

Spoiler: Creatures (click to show/hide)

Makeshift Terrarrium
Scorpions

• [F] Nineteen (Fed by Roach Trap) ("Pregnant" until Nov. 5th, 2016)[Maze Navigation][Stingerpainting]
• [M] Eighty-four (Fed by Roach Trap) [Maze Navigation][Stingerpainting]

Makeshift Data Terminal

Spoiler: Makeshift Data Terminal (click to show/hide)

Speed: Very Slow
Hardware
Core - Regular/Basic
Display - 14-inch CRT Display
Extras

• 3x USB 3.1 Type-C ports
• Basic Internet Connection

Software

• Data Entry
• Programming/Script Creator

Spoiler: Contacts (click to show/hide)

• Gang Kids (Via Parents)
• Gang Boss
• Modern Art Dealer

Spoiler: Experiments & Inventions (click to show/hide)

• Hydrogen Fuel Cell MK4: A hydrogen fuel cell identical to the MK3 in power output and fuel usage, but takes the form of a small cylinder 3 inches in diameter with a height matching about a foot. Can be easily inserted/removed from objects and hot-swapped in addition to being used like an engine similar to the previous Fuel Cells. Utilizes the Hydrogen Fuel Cell Catalyst. Costs $170 to make.
• Hydrogen Fuel Cell MK3: A hydrogen fuel cell that's very roughly about half a meter in length, height, and width. Lasts a day once fully fueled and can provide a fairly large amount of power - a bit more than is needed to run a regular consumer car. Utilizes the Hydrogen Fuel Cell Catalyst. Costs $170 to make.
• Shock Baton: A police baton intended to double as a melee taser device. Only delivers 10 'charges' when fully charged. Actual shocking component is completely useless.
• Hydrogen Fuel Cell MK2: A hydrogen fuel cell that's very roughly about half a meter in length, height, and width. Lasts a month once fueled. Outputs very little power. Costs $150 to make.
• Hydrogen Fuel Cell Catalyst: A chemical compound that speeds up the electrolysis process in fuel cells. Should increase power output at the cost of fuel usage. Costs $20. (Price is added onto the price to create a fuel cell utilizing catalyst)
• Hydrogen Fuel Cell MK1 - "The Long Count": A very large hydrogen fuel cell that takes in hydrogen and oxygen to output power. Once fueled, can continue running for years. Outputs very little power. Is extremely large. Costs $150 to make.
• Antivenom: Antivenom neutralizing venom that can be made in a lab. Requires 1 ml of Venom and $40 for 2 ml of Antivenom.
• QuadChopper: A Quadcopter with dual knives and a wi-fi camera that can reliabily kill or maim a person. Requires other device to control+see camera feed; Needs wi-fi connection
• Microwave Area Jammer: A jammer that jams wireless functions in the affected area (Effect can be aimed via a satellite dish). Lasts 2 hours on a charge. Only jams 5m in front of dish.
• Buggy: A buggy. Tiny single-person open-ended low-to-the-ground vehicle. Runs two and a half hours on a single charge of its battery. Top speed is 15 mph.
• Medical Chemicals: Theoretical combination of chemicals that could increase healing in affected area by 300%. Name needs work.
• SPCAAD Ammonia Grenade: A makeshift ammonia grenade that disperses ammonia on impact via the glass container shattering. Effective blast site measures 28 meters in diameter.
• Powdered Venom: Scorpion venom in powder form that lasts forever without expiration. Poses no threat to organisms and can't naturally turn into liquiid form.
• Lasting Venom: Scorpion venom that lasts for 2 weeks while remaining just as potent. Requires 1 ml of Venom and $10 to make 1 ml of Lasting Venom.
• Handheld Microwave Jammer: A handheld (makeshift) gun that disrupts communications in the area it's pointed at. Can also cook food like a microwave if close enough and you really wanted to cook food. Needs to be plugged in.
• Venom Bullet: A bullet that will 'inject' scorpion venom into the victim. Venom expires after 2 days in the bullet.
• Butane Cannon: A projectile cannon that operates off of butane to propel the projectile roughly 40 meters away.
• Makeshift Data Terminal: A rudimentary terminal that accepts and stores data.

[Gwolfski]

Put the fule cell mk iv in our buggy. Also, get some paper and draw the designs, just in case.

[RAM]

Construct a pneumatic claw of the same mass as a scorpion's claw.

[andrea]

patent the mk 4 cell, start selling them for 500$
they are worth much more than that (so compact and powerful and long lasting, the patent is worth many millions), but price can be increased later when people start believing.
Point is, big mad science required tools, labs, minions, materials. In one word, money. scavenging in the scrapyard is not a suitable activity for a genius, especially when we have things worth so much.

There is no harm in going legit: the intrepid independent scientist can stillturn rogue at a later date, but with a volcano lair and a proven track record.

[Maegil]

patent the mk 4 cell, start selling them for 500$
they are worth much more than that (so compact and powerful and long lasting, the patent is worth many millions), but price can be increased later when people start believing.
Point is, big mad science required tools, labs, minions, materials. In one word, money. scavenging in the scrapyard is not a suitable activity for a genius, especially when we have things worth so much.

There is no harm in going legit: the intrepid independent scientist can stillturn rogue at a later date, but with a volcano lair and a proven track record.

+1
Hire an advertising agency to get you customers. Our thing is science, not PR.

[Kassire]

Hire an advertising agency to get you customers. Our thing is science, not PR.

We might need to build some more of our cash-reserves first though.

[KiwiOui]

patent the mk 4 cell, start selling them for 500$
they are worth much more than that (so compact and powerful and long lasting, the patent is worth many millions), but price can be increased later when people start believing.
Point is, big mad science required tools, labs, minions, materials. In one word, money. scavenging in the scrapyard is not a suitable activity for a genius, especially when we have things worth so much.

There is no harm in going legit: the intrepid independent scientist can stillturn rogue at a later date, but with a volcano lair and a proven track record.

+1
Hire an advertising agency to get you customers. Our thing is science, not PR.

+1 Indeed.We should build several of these.

[Baffler]

Patent first. We don't want this to get pulled out from under us by the people we put in charge of making and selling them.

[Maegil]

^This!

[Carefulrogue]

Patent first. We don't want this to get pulled out from under us by the people we put in charge of making and selling them.

+1

[Chiefwaffles]

October 25, 2016

Thanks to the wonders of not being real being wonderfully lucky, you immediately get your patent after applying for it online at the library. You consider drawing the designs on paper, but that feels kind of redundant thanks to your data terminal which you've inputted your specifications onto.

Selling the cells is tricky. Problem number one is compatibility - there is literally nothing that exists which works with your fuel cells. Problem two is the market. Fuel cells already exist. Sure, they don't provide nearly as much power as yours, but it still isn't going to immediately pick up traction. Then there's an entirely different market problem - how do you sell it?
And finally, there's production.
You'll take way too long to make them to sell yourself. You need somewhere to make them, and you need something to make it - whether it's employees or machines made by you or someone else. There's also materials; sure, you can buy enough stuff for a couple at a time, but buying the materials from retail sources takes time, costs more money, and they run out quickly.

It's something you need to consider carefully. This is something where you actually need to carefully go through the various aspects (namely the ones you just thought of) before committing to, unlike most of your ideas.

As for a mini pneumatic claw: Scorpions are tiny. They have very tiny claws. You don't have very tiny tools or very tiny materials.
There's a problem here.

You thought about putting the MK4 into the buggy, but it'd probably take some refitting of the buggy costing money and your other thoughts today made you reconsider doing anything with the MK4 just yet.

You harvested 2 ml of venom, selling all 2 ml for an absolutely amazing $40.
You got $60 at your new part-time job.

Spoiler: You (click to show/hide)

Cash: $142
Housing: Trashy Garage
Holdings:
Structures

• Makeshift Data Terminal
• Hydrogen Fuel Cell MK3
• Basic Chemistry Equipment (Flasks, Tubing, Beakers, Safety Equipment, Bunsen Burner,  Measuring Equipment, Droppers etc.)
  
  • Peltier Heat Pump (Cooling Device)
• Makeshift Terrarium [2 Deadly Scorpions]
• Roach Trap [Feeding 2/3 scorpions]

Tools & Equipment

• Cheap Welder
• Handheld Drill
• Shovel
• Glass Cutter
• Stinger-resistant Gloves
• Protective Work Gear - Boots, Gloves, Painter's Equipment, Goggles, Respirator
• Basic Chemicals (Used for experiments; doesn't require replenishment)

Creatures - See "Creatures" spoiler.
Miscellaneous Creations

• Microwave Area Jammer
• Battery-less Buggy
• 6 ml Powdered Venom
• 1 ml Lasting Venom (Expires in: 3 days)

Items and Materials

• 1 ml Nitroglycerin
• 4x Scrap Metal
• 6x Electronics
• 1x Scrap Electronics
• 1x Plumbing Parts
• 1x Gas-filled Fire Extinguisher
• 2x Regular Computer Parts
• 3x Old Phones

Weapons

• Shock Baton
• 1x Glock 20

Ammunition

• 1x 10mm Magazine - 17/17
• 1x 10mm Magazine - 11/17

Miscellaneous Items

• Fake University Scientist ID
• Fake Military Scientist ID
• Fake Government Scientist ID

Spoiler: Creatures (click to show/hide)

Makeshift Terrarrium
Scorpions

• [F] Nineteen (Fed by Roach Trap) ("Pregnant" until Nov. 5th, 2016)[Maze Navigation][Stingerpainting]
• [M] Eighty-four (Fed by Roach Trap) [Maze Navigation][Stingerpainting]

Makeshift Data Terminal

Spoiler: Makeshift Data Terminal (click to show/hide)

Speed: Very Slow
Hardware
Core - Regular/Basic
Display - 14-inch CRT Display
Extras

• 3x USB 3.1 Type-C ports
• Basic Internet Connection

Software

• Data Entry
• Programming/Script Creator

Spoiler: Contacts (click to show/hide)

• Gang Kids (Via Parents)
• Gang Boss
• Modern Art Dealer

Spoiler: Experiments & Inventions (click to show/hide)

• Hydrogen Fuel Cell MK4 (Patented): A hydrogen fuel cell identical to the MK3 in power output and fuel usage, but takes the form of a small cylinder 3 inches in diameter with a height matching about a foot. Can be easily inserted/removed from objects and hot-swapped in addition to being used like an engine similar to the previous Fuel Cells. Utilizes the Hydrogen Fuel Cell Catalyst. Costs $170 to make.
• Hydrogen Fuel Cell MK3: A hydrogen fuel cell that's very roughly about half a meter in length, height, and width. Lasts a day once fully fueled and can provide a fairly large amount of power - a bit more than is needed to run a regular consumer car. Utilizes the Hydrogen Fuel Cell Catalyst. Costs $170 to make.
• Shock Baton: A police baton intended to double as a melee taser device. Only delivers 10 'charges' when fully charged. Actual shocking component is completely useless.
• Hydrogen Fuel Cell MK2: A hydrogen fuel cell that's very roughly about half a meter in length, height, and width. Lasts a month once fueled. Outputs very little power. Costs $150 to make.
• Hydrogen Fuel Cell Catalyst: A chemical compound that speeds up the electrolysis process in fuel cells. Should increase power output at the cost of fuel usage. Costs $20. (Price is added onto the price to create a fuel cell utilizing catalyst)
• Hydrogen Fuel Cell MK1 - "The Long Count": A very large hydrogen fuel cell that takes in hydrogen and oxygen to output power. Once fueled, can continue running for years. Outputs very little power. Is extremely large. Costs $150 to make.
• Antivenom: Antivenom neutralizing venom that can be made in a lab. Requires 1 ml of Venom and $40 for 2 ml of Antivenom.
• QuadChopper: A Quadcopter with dual knives and a wi-fi camera that can reliabily kill or maim a person. Requires other device to control+see camera feed; Needs wi-fi connection
• Microwave Area Jammer: A jammer that jams wireless functions in the affected area (Effect can be aimed via a satellite dish). Lasts 2 hours on a charge. Only jams 5m in front of dish.
• Buggy: A buggy. Tiny single-person open-ended low-to-the-ground vehicle. Runs two and a half hours on a single charge of its battery. Top speed is 15 mph.
• Medical Chemicals: Theoretical combination of chemicals that could increase healing in affected area by 300%. Name needs work.
• SPCAAD Ammonia Grenade: A makeshift ammonia grenade that disperses ammonia on impact via the glass container shattering. Effective blast site measures 28 meters in diameter.
• Powdered Venom: Scorpion venom in powder form that lasts forever without expiration. Poses no threat to organisms and can't naturally turn into liquiid form.
• Lasting Venom: Scorpion venom that lasts for 2 weeks while remaining just as potent. Requires 1 ml of Venom and $10 to make 1 ml of Lasting Venom.
• Handheld Microwave Jammer: A handheld (makeshift) gun that disrupts communications in the area it's pointed at. Can also cook food like a microwave if close enough and you really wanted to cook food. Needs to be plugged in.
• Venom Bullet: A bullet that will 'inject' scorpion venom into the victim. Venom expires after 2 days in the bullet.
• Butane Cannon: A projectile cannon that operates off of butane to propel the projectile roughly 40 meters away.
• Makeshift Data Terminal: A rudimentary terminal that accepts and stores data.

[Baffler]

Our best bet for the short term may be home power units. We'll create an adapter that'll let it be used to power someone's home and run the meter backward during off-hours. It takes the least retrofitting on the part of the consumer and on the part of other companies. We can adapt the thing to other uses once demand for it starts to appear.

As far as actually making and selling the things... we may need to get a loan from the bank to start up. We can buy an empty warehouse or factory, contact a company like Tanaka to get the machinery we need to actually make the things, then hire someone to manage the plant and to hire all the engineers and workers, plus chemical engineers to make the catalyst. Also hire someone else for sales and marketing, and another to keep track of finances.

Or we could just sell licenses for other companies to produce them and make use of the fees and royalties. We don't really want to get bogged down doing something as pedestrian as running a company when we could be doing science, after all.

[S34N1C]

Or we could just sell licenses for other companies to produce them and make use of the fees and royalties. We don't really want to get bogged down doing something as pedestrian as running a company when we could be doing science, after all.

+1 for this

[RAM]

Hrmm, we could make a little baton, and frills shouldn't be too difficult to find, but, ehh, that just isn't enough. How to channel the power of love into a scorpion? And, for that matter, should the skirt drape around it's legs or tail?

[Kassire]

Or we could just sell licenses for other companies to produce them and make use of the fees and royalties. We don't really want to get bogged down doing something as pedestrian as running a company when we could be doing science, after all.

+1 for this

Try to create an energy adapter to license off as well, and maybe make note of a lawyer that deals with patent law nearby, if the worst case scenario comes around.