After the Iron Man movies came out, making an Arc Reactor became a popular Maker/DIY project. I’d have to bet though, that most of these looked like something Tony Stark wouldn’t have been proud to have in his chest, even if it was fashioned in a cave somewhere in the Middle East while being held prisoner.
Some of them, however, like this Iron Man 2/Avengers style reactor appear to be extremely good. Unlike many cheap props, this one is actually laser cut steel. It’s then welded, ground smooth, then “chromed.”
Inside, the unit is powered by an Arduino-based board, and contains 30 LEDs that are bright enough to easily shine through a shirt. These LEDs can perform different animations that are selected by pressing the center of the unit. Of course there’s something to be said for making your own props, but at $99.00 plus shipping, this seems like a relative bargain. Besides, you still have to make the rest of the suit!
