So just in case anyone is still following this project, here's a quick update. I had to relocate across the country for work and medical reasons, so tinkering and projects had to be shelved for about 4 months. The chaos is starting to subside now, and with the launch of the 2016 Prize it's time to dust off this vacuum pump idea and maybe actually build something at last. I'm not going to beg you for likes. If you think this project deserves one go for it, if not there are tons of other great projects out there. But be sure to browse the list of entries and throw your vote in somewhere. I'm open to more contributors too if this idea really catches your eye.

On the technical side of things, I've had some hopefully useful ideas in the interim. Watch for some posts soon about how I plan to build the motor and discs, as well as the overall plan of attack for the build. It's going to have to be in several incremental stages, with specific experiments along the way. I also have some ideas on alternative, optical methods of measuring a vacuum that could be easier and cheaper than current sensors. Lastly, I scavenged an old compressor off a broken dehumidifier, it should make for a half decent backing pump. Here goes nothing...