NightLase Technologies

06/12/2025

Grand Prize: Australian Institute of Physics Photography Competition;
"The Beauty of Physics": Home Made Tesla Coil Photograph Wins Grand Prize.

Several months ago, I discovered a photography competition organised by the ACT Branch of the Australian Institute of Physics (AIP). The theme for the contest was "The Beauty of Physics", which immediately caught my attention due to my longstanding interests in both physics and photography.

Enthusiastic to participate, I contacted the department at the Australian National University to verify whether the competition was open to entrants from across Australia. Upon confirmation that it was accessible to anyone nationwide, I decided to submit my entry.

For the competition, I chose to submit an image of my home built Tesla Coil, believing it perfectly encapsulated the theme and showcased the fascinating amalgamation of science and visual art of photography.

On 13/11/2025, I was both proud and honoured to receive notification that my Tesla Coil photograph had been awarded the Grand Prize. This recognition means a great deal to me, and I am sincerely grateful for the opportunity to showcase my life's work.

I would like to extend my appreciation and thanks to Dr. Eliezer Estrecho and Dr. Wayne Hutchison, as well as the ACT Branch of the Australian Institute of Physics, for their support and for acknowledging my contribution to the world of Physics and our understanding of the physical world.

Supplied Photo Caption:
"This image is a capture of my personal quest to build a Tesla Coil. What started as practical exercise, resulted in a museum quality device showcasing the physical world of electricity, plasma and high-frequency behaviour. The resulting multiple banding effect seen in the discharges, known as the "Banjo Effect" is actually showing the operational frequency of the resonant secondary circuit each time the gap fires. The coil is powered by 180W input, and operating at a secondary frequency around 1.708MHz."

Congratulations to the fellow winners in this competition.

30/09/2025

Its been a marathon of a week, sorting through hundreds of images and writing text content on fully new section covering our Journey in coffee spanning over 25 years.
https://www.nightlase.com.au/?pg=nltcafe

In recent times ramping up roasting on our little roaster which I had purchased and completed several upgrades and modifications.
https://www.nightlase.com.au/?pg=roasting

We have also covered the beautifully engineered 9Barista.
https://www.nightlase.com.au/?pg=9Barista

And finally, a section on all things technical
https://www.nightlase.com.au/?pg=coffeetech

The 1st September also rang in a new era as dear friends, Dean and Rose set off into retirement, passing on the legacy to the new owner of Siboni's Coffee, Andrew Brown and his family, entrusted in guiding Siboni's coffee into the next chapter.

Dedicated in the studies and work in Electronics, Lasers, Information Technology, Nightvision, Photography and Coffee.

09/09/2025

Victorian era themed composition..

10/07/2024

Recently I acquired a little gas fired, 100g Sample roaster.. the original was an early Mk1 which did not have some of the nice little desired options, the main one being to upgrade to 240v (work in progress) and the more stylish model drum
Door with view window.

With some engineering and over a months work to track down some parts, finally was able to implement the door upgrade..

30/04/2023

In 2020 we embarked on a significant project to convert a Compak K6 grinder to doserless as well as develop the code and timer module.

This project has now been published in the May 2023 Issue of DIYODE Magazine diyodemag.com

Using electronics and maker skills to turn a manual coffee grinder into an advanced grinder with timer functions. For our coffee connoisseur readers, you know that an optimum coffee grind can improve the taste of your delicious coffee. Not only...

23/01/2023

The next Editorial Feature on our 30mm Spark-Gap Tesla Coil will in the February 2023 issue of Silicon Chip Magazine.

24/11/2022

Wednesday 23 November 2022 was a long awaited catch-up with Highlight Lasers

Captured these beautiful shots from a LaserPhysics Reliant 300CW Argon/Krypton laser.. old school gas lasers, cannot beat the beam quality from the ion lasers.

24/11/2022

Have to love high voltage electrical discharges..

24/11/2022

We are excited to confirm that our second article on the larger 30mm Tesla Coil will be published in Silicon Chip Magazine in either January or February 2023.

24/11/2022

It’s been somewhat of a interesting time, the creative mojo has been somewhat up and done this year, however some work has been on the burner;

We have also been working on a tiny laser, the OSRAM PL530 OPSL which it’s goal to be used as a green source for holography.

The laser is capable of over 120mW, Single Longitudinal Mode output..

More information now on the website:

https://www.nightlase.com.au