Ideas

As Make: Magazine turns 20, Ian reflects on Isolate IT's own nearly 20-year journey serving the maker community. Explore the shared philosophy that drives us to build, from human nature and universal creativity to the "serious and silly" projects that define the movement.

Sierra Space’s Dream Chaser® spaceplane just survived a 90-speaker "Wall of Sound" at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center. Ian explains the engineering behind acoustic testing and how vibration isolation keeps critical electronics alive during the most violent minutes of a rocket launch.

As rocket launch cadences move from monthly events to weekly occurrences, the physical toll on surrounding communities is becoming impossible to ignore. Beyond the spectacular views, the intense infrasound and ground-borne vibrations from "super-heavy" vehicles are challenging the structural integrity of historic buildings and the neurological health of residents. This post explores the "Silent Shaker" effect—the hidden cost of our high-speed race to the stars and the new engineering and policy shifts required to protect life on the ground.

While the Orion capsule heads for the Moon, four CubeSats are starting their own missions in high Earth orbit. Ian explains the science behind the Artemis II secondary payloads and how Isolate IT’s Sorbothane thin films provide the precision vibration isolation these "shoebox satellites" need to survive the thunder of the SLS.

Ian shares a personal, emotional account of witnessing the historic Artemis II launch from Kennedy Space Center. Discover the sensory power of the SLS rocket and learn how Isolate IT’s vibration technology supports NASA’s mission to return humanity to the Moon—from protecting launchpad cameras to stabilizing critical satellite instrumentation.

Is "Platinum Silicone" really the Sorbothane killer? In this technical showdown, our polymer engineer Ian breaks down the molecular differences between platinum-cured silicone and Sorbothane®. Discover why silicone is a great spring but a poor sink, and how our urethane-coated technology gives you the cleanliness of silicone with the world-class vibration damping of Sorbothane.

As AI server racks grow denser and more powerful, they face a new enemy: Resonance Drift. Ian, our polymer engineer, explains how micro-vibrations from high-RPM fans are degrading compute efficiency and how Sorbothane® is being used as a "vibration sink" in the world's most advanced data centers.

Tired of the early morning "smoothie scream"? Learn how to use professional Sorbothane® isolation secrets—the same ones used in the world's top coffee shops—to quiet any blender on your counter. We dive into the science of decoupling, 2025 buying tips for every budget, and the "vortex" layering method for a perfect, silent blend every time.

NASA has just announced a major strategic overhaul of the Artemis program. From the April 2026 launch of Artemis II to the new 2027 "Apollo 9-style" test flight, learn how NASA is standardizing the SLS rocket to achieve a yearly launch cadence. Ian explains how Isolate IT’s vibration technology remains mission-critical for protecting the next generation of lunar hardware.

Smart speakers have evolved from simple kitchen timers into genuine Hi-Fi contenders. But as they get more powerful, they face a classic enemy: vibration. Ian, our polymer engineer, explains why you must "decouple" your speakers from your furniture and how to use Sorbothane® hemispheres to unlock the clarity and bass your smart speaker was designed for.

Is your dishwasher making more noise than it should? Whether you're buying a new model or retrofitting your current one, our guide shows you how to use Sorbothane® to turn a budget machine into a library-quiet luxury appliance. Explore the latest reliability data and learn our "Pro-Tip" for installing vibration-damping sheets directly to the housing for immediate silence.

From your desktop to the lunar surface. As NASA prepares for the historic Artemis II mission, we’re diving into the space-age heritage of Sorbothane®. Learn how this unique viscoelastic polymer handles the extreme vibrations of a moon launch to protect sensitive instrumentation and ensure astronaut safety. It’s not just a DIY secret; it’s the material NASA trusts to return us to the stars.