Web site created by Donato Borello, Amsal Karic, and Randal C. Nelson
Our project was inspired by various accomplishments and endeavours. One of the more spectacular examples is the 10,000 year clock that is being built in Texas, which uses cutting edge materials, engineering and precise mathematical calculation to create a clock which will outlive any being on earth. This is a rather monumental project, and does not yet have an estimated completion date, but it attracted funding from a couple of internet billionaires, obtained the remote mountain property, and is actually under construction, so it may, in fact, happen.
There are a handful of well-known experiments that have actually been running for a long time. Examples include
The challenge of creating something which can function far beyond our own lifetime seems to be a universal desire and thus captures an interesting and satisfying feat.
CSC 200 Spring 2012 Project
The goal of the class project was to design and build an electronic artifact capable of operating continuously for a span of 1000 years.
The constraints include:
Compactness--Capable of fitting into a pocket or even being wearable.
Attractiveness--Having an attractive final look.
Durability--Capable of tolerating anything from an accidental drop on the sidewalk to a run through a washing machine.
Autonomy--Having a self-sustained power system and not needing any human intervention through its run of a millennium.
Treasure--Having an informational treasure which can be viewed in an easy way.
Price--The materials and components making up the artifact need to cost less than $1000 in total. (This does not include the value of student labor.)