Video Of The Week - Engineer Builds Real-Life Thor Hammer

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Photo Credit: YouTube.com (screencapture)

Fans of the Avengers film series will recall Thor's hammer, Mjolnir, that can only be lifted by someone 'worthy,' AKA the superhero himself. However, while the one in the movies was probably a prop, Alan Pan's Mjolnir is the real deal!

But before you get all excited, Pan is not a living superhero with magical powers. He is an electrical engineer who used his technical skills and imagination to build a hammer that only he can lift. The Los Angeles resident whose YouTube video has garnered over 12 million views in just five days, began by placing an electromagnetic magnet obtained from a microwave inside a hammer shell.

Photo Credit: YouTube.com (screen capture)

This helps generate a magnetic field so strong that the hammer is impossible to lift when placed over a metallic surface. Pan then fitted the handle with a capacitive touch sensor and a fingerprint identification sensor.

When a stranger tries to move the hammer, the first sensor relays the message to an Arduino Pro Mini computer, which in turn activates the electromagnet, making it impossible to lift. However, when Pan touches it, the fingerprint sensor that is programmed with his prints takes over. It disables the magnets allowing the inventor to raise the Mjolnir instantly! Who knew being an engineer could be so much fun?

Resources: zmescience.com, Youtube.com

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925 Comments
  • tylerover 7 years
    i think it is cool
    • imma savageover 7 years
      Only if he made a real-life thor costume and wore it with the hammer and went around kids that likes thor and surprised them
      • sevenrot4
        sevenrot4over 7 years
        so cool I want to be able to wield mljnoir
        • Quantumwolfover 7 years
          Interesting, math and engineering have always been my specialties.
          • plovealmost 8 years
            lol
            • jbalmost 8 years
              cool
              • jakealmost 8 years
                awesome
                • jakealmost 8 years
                  cool
                  • lilaalmost 8 years
                    cool magnet
                    • garrenalmost 8 years
                      omg I can not believe that in my live