The Open-Source Lock

Over at LP101 at the moment is a curious little project. Dubbed the 'Open Source Lock', it is a collaboration of all the members on the forums. The 'Open Source' part meaning that anyone can freely find out any specifications of the lock, as well as exactly what goes on within it. Any member with an idea they think could be incorporated into the lock can show their idea to the other board members and discuss the pros and cons of the idea. It truly is an 'Open-Source Lock'.

If you want to find out more about the project, or think you could help/have some suggestions, head on over to LP101 at this link: The Open Source Lock.

Another interesting thing to note is that it is still only in it's first few weeks, yet is already bustling with information, most of which is truly remarkable. An example is on the electronic cryptography section, posted by SFGOON, that truly shows the ingenuity of some members:

There's a kind of natural crystal - I think it's germanium, that is used by a certain western superpower to put seals on things they don't want tampered with. When a current is put through it, it distributes the electric signal all wonky.

So, they seal whatever they want to seal with it, then they use a special device to electronically measure the seal, essentially taking a snapshot of the orientation of the crystal inside the seal.

I guess microscopic differences in the crystal could change the exit signal so it's almost impossible to replicate. Cheap as hell to implement, but excruciatingly expensive (if at all possible,) to reproduce.

Of course, you only get the one key...