Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsBucky-et Air Conditioner is a student-built evaporative-cooling prototype, not a conventional refrigerant air conditioner. Created by Jerry Miao and published on Hackster.io on October 1, 2023, it uses a water tank, an absorbent moving ribbon, fans, stepper motors and controller electronics to cool moving air through evaporation. Ice can also be added to the tank for a stronger short-term effect.
The project originated at the University of Wisconsin–Madison One Health Makeathon and is best understood as an educational hardware experiment or construction roadmap—not a certified appliance, commercial product or replacement for a properly sized air-conditioning system.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
What is the Bucky-et Air Conditioner?
Bucky-et is the name of a DIY cooling project created by Jerry Miao and presented on Hackster.io. Its stated purpose is to explore affordable, environmentally conscious cooling for people exposed to extreme heat, including older adults, people with disabilities and people experiencing housing insecurity.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
The project was developed during the University of Wisconsin–Madison One Health Makeathon, held September 29–October 1, 2023. It received a Sony Spresense prize or local prize associated with the event, as reported by Sony and Hackster’s event coverage.
#1 Best Overall
- 【2026 Upgraded Swamp Cooler】Experience cooler, more refreshing air with natural evaporative cooling. Need an extra cooling boost? Simply add ice cubes anytime, or use the four reusable ice packs to keep cool longer, no waiting for ice packs to freeze
- 【120° Wide Oscillation, 3 Speeds & 4 Modes】Switch between fan-only airflow and evaporative cooling as needed, with 120° wide-angle oscillation for broader air distribution. Fine-tune your comfort with three fan speeds, Natural Mode, and Sleep Mode. Quiet 40dB operation, a 12-hour timer, and a child lock provide added peace of mind from day to night
- 【Large Water Tank for All-Day】Portable air conditioners spend less time refilling and more time enjoying cool air. The pull-out water tank lets you refill without lifting the air cooler. Add ice cubes through the top opening anytime for an instant cooling boost. The 1.6-gallon water tank helps reduce refill trips for more uninterrupted cooling
- 【Portable Evaporative Air Cooler】Enjoy cool comfort wherever you need it, without the hassle of lifting a heavy cooler. Four quiet 360° caster wheels and a hidden carry handle let you roll smoothly from room to room, even with a full water tank. Evaporative cooler delivers cool wherever life takes you without interrupting your routine
- 【Easy Operation & Maintenance】Simple maintenance lets your windowless air conditioner deliver fresh, efficient cooling. The entire water tank lifts out for easy sink cleaning, while the removable cooling pad lifts out for easy rinsing. Regular maintenance helps keep airflow fresh for consistent cooling performance over time
“Bucky” likely refers to Bucky Badger, the University of Wisconsin–Madison mascot, although the available project material does not formally confirm the name’s origin.
Despite its name, Bucky-et does not appear to use a compressor, refrigerant, condenser or expansion valve. Technically, it is closer to an automated evaporative cooler than to a window, split-system or portable refrigerant air conditioner.
How the cooling mechanism works
The project describes its approach as “Open Loop Phase Transition Cooling.” The practical principle described in the project materials is water evaporation:
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →- Water is stored in a tank or bucket.
- An absorbent ribbon or belt is moved continuously through the water.
- The wet material exposes a larger water surface to moving air.
- As some water evaporates, it removes heat from the air stream.
- A fan distributes the resulting air.
- Ice may be added to the tank to increase the short-term cooling effect.
This is fundamentally different from refrigeration. A conventional air conditioner moves heat through a closed refrigerant cycle and normally removes moisture from indoor air. An evaporative cooler uses water evaporation and can add moisture to the room.
That distinction determines where the design is useful. Evaporative cooling is generally more promising in hot, dry conditions, where the air has greater capacity to accept additional moisture. In humid weather, evaporation slows and the added indoor humidity can make the space feel clammy.
Published hardware
The Hackster project lists or shows these major components:
Rank #2
- 【3-IN-1 Versatile Cooling Solution】 Combine the power of an portable air conditioners, humidifying fan, and personal cooling unit into one sleek device. Featuring 3 adjustable fan speeds and 4 specialized modes (Normal/Natural/Sleep/Cool), this swamp cooler allows you to customize your airflow for any situation—from a gentle breeze for sleeping to a powerful gust for afternoon heat
- Two stepper motors
- An Arduino Uno
- An Adafruit RGB-backlit 16×2 LCD
- A rotary encoder with push-button
- A water tank or bucket
- An absorbent ribbon or conveyor mechanism
- Fan hardware
- Motor-driver electronics
- Custom enclosure and mechanical parts
- 3D-printed structural components
- Sony Spresense-related control hardware or code
This is the project’s published component list, not a guaranteed complete bill of materials. The available material does not establish every motor specification, power-supply requirement, bearing, seal, fastener, fan rating or enclosure dimension needed to reproduce the prototype.
The listed hardware includes an Arduino Uno Rev3, an Adafruit RGB-backlit LCD and a Sony Spresense development platform. The exact stepper-motor model and complete electrical architecture should be confirmed from the project files before construction.
What the Arduino code reveals
The published code indicates that an Arduino Uno handles the user interface and stepper-motor system. Reported code-level details include:
- The LCD uses I2C address
0x27. - The rotary encoder uses pins 5, 6 and 7.
- The motor-control connections include enable pin 9, step pin 11 and direction pin 12.
- Serial connections to the stepper driver use pins 10 and 8.
- A buzzer is assigned to pin 13.
- The motor driver is configured as a TMC2208.
- The stated motor-current setting is 500 mA.
- The initial microstepping value is 2.
- The interface displays “Bucky-et AC” and version “V 1.00.”
The interface includes controls for an interval, motor operation, direction reversal and microstep selection. These are software settings from the published prototype, not certified electrical ratings or universal construction requirements. A different motor, driver, power supply or conveyor geometry may require different values.
What does Sony Spresense do?
Sony’s account says Spresense acted as a controller in the prototype and describes the conveyor mechanism as helping water evaporation. The Hackster page also contains a separate Sony Spresense code section with a simple PWM fan-control example.
PC Slower Than It Used to Be?
A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11Outdated Drivers Are Slowing You Down
One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchSony describes Spresense as a low-power, six-core microcontroller platform with Arduino IDE support. However, the cooling effect does not depend on Spresense specifically. The essential process is wet-surface evaporation and airflow; a controller automates the motors, fan or user interface.
Rank #3
- Experience Superior Cooling: Embrace the evaporative air cooler capabilities of the Hessaire 3,100 CFM! This portable swamp cooler combats heat and dryness while extending air coverage through its unique 3-panel intake system.
- Transform Your Living Space: Adapt to any environment with portable evaporative cooler outdoor high velocity cooling fan. This cooler fan ensures continuous water flow for 3-4 hours of use, delivering excellent cooling and fits comfortably in any space.
- Simplify Your Cooling Routine: Say goodbye to complex controls with our evaporative air cooler portable fan. This outdoor cooling fan's user-friendly design ensures easy operation. Just fill, plug, switch, and enjoy!
- Enjoy Continuous, Quiet Cooling: Molded with a lightweight polypropylene resin, the Hessaire cooler with a 10.3-gallon tank reduces refills thanks to its 80% larger evaporation surface. Its delivery system reduces noise and vibrations for a serene area.
- Cool Air Anywhere: As a trusted name in air-movement and cooling solutions since 1996, Hessaire focuses on innovation and energy efficiency and delivers reliable, low-noise evaporative air coolers that offer functionality without compromising quality.
The available pages include both Arduino and Spresense material but do not fully define a universal controller architecture for every reproduction. Anyone rebuilding the project should determine which board controls each function in the demonstrated version rather than assuming that both boards are mandatory.
Is Bucky-et a real product?
Yes, it is a real, documented standalone hardware project. It is not, however, documented as a commercially manufactured appliance. The Hackster page classifies it as an “Advanced” showcase and does not provide a complete conventional step-by-step build guide.
There is no evidence in the supplied project coverage of retail production, consumer-appliance certification, warranty support, independent performance testing or a verified current total build price. It should therefore be treated as a prototype and maker project—not as a product that can simply be ordered and installed.
Recommended Free Tools
Can you build one?
A technically capable maker could use the project page, schematics, images and code as a starting point. It is not a beginner-ready appliance plan. Mechanical design, motor control, low-voltage wiring, water management, fabrication and measurement are all required.
A sensible build and test sequence would be:
- Study the project images, schematics, custom enclosure information and code.
- Determine the exact conveyor geometry, ribbon path, tank dimensions and motor mounting arrangement.
- Confirm the voltage and current requirements for every motor, driver, fan and controller.
- Fabricate or obtain the enclosure and water-resistant mechanical components.
- Keep the water path physically separate from the Arduino, driver, Spresense board and power connections.
- Run the fan without water to check airflow, vibration and electrical loading.
- Run the conveyor at low speed and verify that the ribbon tracks without slipping or excessive tension.
- Check for leaks before introducing water near any electronics.
- Measure outlet temperature, room temperature, relative humidity, airflow, water consumption and total power draw.
- Add ice only after confirming that condensation, splashing and drainage are controlled.
- Install an accessible physical power cutoff before extended testing.
The controls exposed in the code do not establish the correct mechanical settings for every reproduction. Motor speed, interval, direction and microstepping must be matched to the actual conveyor and absorbent material.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What the project does not prove
The available sources establish the concept and prototype, but they do not publish a controlled performance specification. They do not establish:
Rank #4
- 【4-IN-1 Cooling Performance for Flexible Use】This evaporative air cooler combines multiple functions including cooling, fan, humidifying, and air circulation in one compact design. With 6 adjustable speeds and 3 modes (Normal/Sleep/Cool), you can easily select the airflow setting that fits your daily routine
- 【Comfortable Airflow with Remote & Touch Control】Enjoy convenient operation with 15-20 FT/S airflow and adjustable settings designed for personal comfort. Use the included remote control from a distance or the touch control panel to quickly change modes, speeds, and functions whenever needed
- 【Large 3-Gal Water Tank for Longer Operation】Equipped with a 3-Gal bottom water tank, this swamp cooler supports up to 10-12 hours of continuous use. The easy-view water level window helps you know when water needs to be added, while the bottom tank structure improves overall stability
- 【Efficient Cooling Option for Everyday Spaces】Designed for energy-conscious users, this portable air cooler provides refreshing airflow while using less power than many traditional refrigerant-based cooling options. The quiet motor operation makes it a practical choice for bedrooms, home offices, and living areas
- 【Portable Design Without Window Installation】Enjoy flexible placement without exhaust hoses, window kits, or complicated installation. The lightweight design and 360° casters allow you to move the cooler easily between rooms, making it suitable for bedrooms, offices, kitchens, and other indoor spaces
- Cooling capacity in BTU/h or watts
- Airflow in CFM
- Outlet-air temperature reduction
- Performance at specific relative humidity levels
- Water consumption per hour
- Runtime per tank
- Noise level
- Total electrical power draw
- Independent reproduction or comparison with a fan, evaporative cooler or portable AC
- Suitability for unattended operation
- Certified electrical, fire or water-safety compliance
For that reason, claims that the device is “powerful,” “portable,” “safe,” “high-efficiency” or proven for whole-room cooling would go beyond the documented evidence. “Affordable” is a stated design goal, but no verified total construction cost is available.
Where the design makes sense
Bucky-et is most relevant when the goal is a prototype, classroom demonstration, sustainability experiment or maker project in a hot, relatively dry climate. It may provide spot cooling where water, electricity and maintenance are available.
It is a poor substitute for conventional air conditioning when the user needs:
- Reliable dehumidification
- A rated cooling capacity
- Precise thermostat control
- Cooling in a humid climate
- Whole-room or whole-home performance
- Certified electrical safety
- Overnight unattended operation
- A warranty and predictable service path
Construction and safety considerations
Mechanical risks
- Ribbon misalignment, slippage or excessive tension
- Stepper-motor stalling
- Water dripping onto motors, drivers or circuit boards
- A tipping bucket or unstable enclosure
- Ice obstructing the water path
- Mold, algae or odor in stagnant water
- Hard-to-clean areas on the continuously wetted ribbon
Electrical risks
- Keep mains electricity and water physically separated.
- Use a suitable low-voltage supply with appropriate fusing or current protection.
- Mount control boards and drivers above the spill line.
- Use insulated connectors, protected wiring and strain relief.
- Provide an accessible emergency shutoff.
- Do not assume the prototype has consumer-appliance certification.
Indoor-environment risks
Evaporation increases indoor humidity. A neglected wet ribbon or dirty tank can create hygiene and odor problems, while ice can produce condensation. During dangerous heat events, this prototype should not replace heat-emergency planning, cooling centers, medical assistance or a certified cooling system.
Alternatives to consider
| Option | Best fit | Main trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial evaporative cooler | Users wanting the same basic cooling principle with a finished enclosure, pump and controls | Still depends heavily on dry air and adds indoor moisture |
| Portable air conditioner | Humid climates and users needing rated cooling and dehumidification | Higher power use, exhaust requirements and purchase cost |
| Window air conditioner | Sustained room cooling where a suitable window is available | Requires installation and adequate electrical capacity |
| Simple bucket evaporative cooler | Low-cost experimentation with a fan and wet pad or frozen bottles | Lacks Bucky-et’s conveyor, motor control and interface |
| Fan-only cooling | Improving perceived comfort without adding humidity | Does not substantially lower air temperature |
Bottom line
Bucky-et Air Conditioner is a legitimate University of Wisconsin–Madison maker prototype that automates evaporative cooling with a water tank, moving absorbent ribbon, fan and embedded controls. Its value is primarily educational and experimental. It demonstrates an interesting construction and electronics challenge, but the published material does not provide the performance measurements, safety certification or complete assembly documentation needed to treat it as a dependable replacement for a conventional air conditioner.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
