About

I am a PhD student in the Camera Culture group at the MIT Media Laboratory focusing on data-centric machine learning. In my spare time I like woodworking and ceramics. Here are some pictures of a live edge coffee table I made.


Top of table
Bottom of table

Postscript -- After taking the course, I can give future students these tips and tricks:

  1. Always use tip tinner and flux. If the tip is oxidized, it won't transfer heat properly and will make soldering/desoldering impossible.
  2. Search previous fabacademy pages for how to do things.
  3. Use pin sockets to make your XIAO detachable to resue between boards.
  4. Do not power servo from XIAO with laptop. I killed several controllers this way.
  5. Double check the pinout of the XIAO, especially 5V, GND, 3V3. Mixing these pins up was the root cause of issues for several boards until I realized I switched 5V and 3V3.
  6. Start the final project earlier than you think you will need unless you can afford to pull several all nighters before the deadline.
  7. Strain relieve cables with electrical tape and cable organizers. Color code your cables (e.g. red for power and black for ground) and mark sockets with sharpie for easy cabling.




NOTE: All code and CAD files on this site are released under MIT License, which is reproduced below. 

        
        
Copyright 2025 Charles Lu

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