A new desktop SLS nylon 3D printer can make printed electronic circuits with the addition of a powdered catalyst and electroless copper plating bath. The printer is available here: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/micronics3d/micron-a-desktop-sls-3d-printer Applied Science video on SLA printed circuits: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z228xymQYho Favorite copper plating bath recipe: Heat 250ml deionized water to 60*C in a 300ml beaker, stirring at 350 RPM Add 2.5g CuSO4*5H2O, wait until dissolved Add 4.6g EDTA disodium dihydrate, wait until dissolved Add 0.84ml of 1% Triton-X 100 solution in water Dissolve 5.8g NaOH in 30ml DI water, stir until clear, then add to bath Add 4ml Formaldehyde (37% HCHO) Lower stirring to 100 RPM and begin filtration with 0.5 micron syringe filter and peristaltic pump. No intentional oxygenation or bubbling. Filter return is below surface for minimal splashing. I experimented a little with PEG and 2 2' Bipyridine, but didn't find them impactful enough to discuss in this video. LED rectenna designs: https://josepheoff.github.io/posts/1-hatband https://www.nrl.navy.mil/STEM/LEctenna-Challenge/ Electroless copper references: https://www.nmfrc.org/pdf/p0295g.pdf Copper chromite catalyst: https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/US/en/product/aldrich/209317 Possibly available here: https://www.kremer-pigmente.com/en/shop/pigments/pigments-of-modern-age/spinel-similar-pigments/47420-spinel-black-no-42.html It's been backordered for a month, so I wasn't able to test it. Open Sauce 2024: https://opensauce.com/ Support Applied Science on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/AppliedScience

How to make photographs using plant leaves: the technique, examples, f/0.5 camera lens construction, and tips & tricks that I learned along the way. Inspiration for this project came from a 1970's video made by The Royal Institution: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l2JTiAASdyw Starch formation refs: https://www.journals.uchicago.edu/doi/pdf/10.1086/329993 https://www.ars.usda.gov/ARSUserFiles/50820500/GPRG/2022PulicationsandSummaries/2022_Photosynthetic%20responses%20of%20greenhouse%20ornamentals%20to%20interaction%20of%20irradiance%20CO2%20and%20temperature.pdf Video describing inkjet printed photomasks: https://youtu.be/bR9EN3kUlfg?si=k9RU6EwM5-pKx2tr&t=643 A different technique to make leaf prints: https://www.alternativephotography.com/chlorophyll-prints/ Video from Alpha Phoenix on making photos with cyanotype: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ewQQX3fxQKk&t=85s Ray optics simulator: https://phydemo.app/ray-optics/ Giant tweezers: https://www.amazon.com/Stainless-Tweezers-Anti-slip-Aquascape-Maintenance/dp/B07LDLWJMM/ Anhydrous ethanol: https://www.extractohol.net/1gal-200-proof-pure-food-grade-ethyl-alcohol Hanging basket geranium plant: https://www.lowes.com/pd/2-Gallon-Multicolor-Geranium-in-Hanging-Basket-L5450/1000151713 Methanol toxicity: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Methanol_toxicity https://sci-hub.se/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ccc.2012.07.002 Skin absorption in a quantity high enough to be a problem is rare, according to this. Support Applied Science on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/AppliedScience

I show a "DIY" chemical color-based method to determine the amount of lead in water, and then use the method to measure the amount of lead extracted from various types of lead crystal glassware. Skip to 27:05 to see the detailed results Code, analysis, raw data, more references: https://github.com/benkrasnow/LeadCrystal Supercon 2022 talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=26olExLUX-0 Average daily lead consumption: 50ug in early 1980s, about 2/3 of this came from food and water https://openlibrary.org/works/OL18340799W/Food_contamination_from_environmental_sources?edition=unset0000unse_z0t6 The FDA established a maximum daily intake for Pb called the Interim Reference Level (IRL). The IRL for children and adults is 3 μg/day and 12.5 μg/day, respectively. In 2022, FDA tightened its Interim Reference Levels (IRLs) for lead to 2.2 µg/day for children and 8.8 µg/day for females of childbearing age—a drop of 27% from the original IRLs it established in 2018. (2011) The estimated average daily dietary exposure of the French population to lead was 18 μg for adults aged 15 years or more https://apps.who.int/food-additives-contaminants-jecfa-database/Home/Chemical/3511 ChatGPT on cloudy lead acetate solutions https://chat.openai.com/share/b24593ea-e467-4c41-ac79-55a4c0546a63 Support the production of future videos on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/AppliedScience

This unusual sheet metal is made of hundreds of nano scale layers of aluminum and nickel. A spark initiates a self-propagating reaction that creates NiAl compound, and lots of heat! This material is used to solder items so fast that the base material doesn't have time to draw heat away from the joint. The technical data sheet indicates that this process is fluxless, and I suspect trying to include flux would cause rapid gas expansion that would blow the solder joint apart. I'm not sure how the solder wets the surface without flux. https://sci-hub.se/10.1063/1.1629390 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nickel_aluminide https://www.indium.com/products/nanofoil/#documents https://www.patreon.com/AppliedScience

I describe an old project in which a few friends and I designed an RFID tag that fits into a magnetic stir bar and measures temperature wirelessly. We decided to open-source the project, and you can see the PCB design and tag firmware at the github repo below. I don't think I have the firmware for the base station, unfortunately. https://www.ti.com/product/TMS37157 https://www.digikey.com/en/products/detail/texas-instruments/EZ430-TMS37157/2183733 https://github.com/benkrasnow/Temperature_sensing_stirbar https://www.patreon.com/AppliedScience

How to build and test an NQR spectrometer, which is similar to MRI, but uses no magnets. NQR frequencies are unique among all tested compounds, so detecting a resonance indicates a near certainty that a specific chemical is present. Tektronix 2-series oscilloscope: https://www.tek.com/en/products/oscilloscopes/2-series-mso Video capture was done via VNC client Zeeman effect shifting optical spectral lines: https://youtu.be/JV4Fk3VNZqs?t=74 Atomic clock calibration using Zeeman effect: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xTy1kY_wtsY W2AEW's RF tutorial on quarter wave transmission lines: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A1BAq0KxIdc Water deflected by electric field: https://youtu.be/NjLJ77IuBdM?t=468 Litz wire only helpful between 50KHz and 1.5MHz - https://youtu.be/FUCRB9UdfUg?t=2010 Support Applied Science on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/AppliedScience Q/A Why use vacuum variable capacitors? The parallel LC circuit develops well over 1000 volts during transmit, and they are much easier to finely adjust over a large range. I've spent quite a few hours making this work since late last year. I failed to detect a signal from urea, which burned dozens of hours. Switching to NaNO2 suddenly produced a huge signal. NQR calculations spreadsheet - https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1pkWlgvEXlANemZt3DR1J5g59S7hsejbvs995Y4FRsl0/edit?usp=sharing NQR references (many!) : https://docs.google.com/document/d/1XoNUhFceH38nSjAFZoxglNiZlUzn6QMxa6CYTyAM92c/edit?usp=sharing

How to make etched metal parts. -All of the highest quality parts that I made went to the customer, but edge quality and photoresist adhesion is still a problem. -The photomask dark areas can be expanded, and then the part etched for a longer amount of time to make the edges more perpendicular to the surface. I forgot to mention this clever way to improve the etch aspect ratio called "etch factor" http://www.chemcut.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Chemcut_Thoughts_on_Undercut.pdf -Dry film photoresist https://www.amazon.com/30cm%C3%975m-Portable-Photosensitive-Production-Photoresist/dp/B07MMVPY1Z/ -Photoresist processing datasheet https://www.dupont.com/content/dam/dupont/amer/us/en/products/ei-transformation/documents/DEC-Riston_GeneralProcessingGuide.pdf -Special ink and transparencies (films) for photomasks: https://filmdirectonline.com/ -Flip pins https://shop.evilmadscientist.com/productsmenu/853 -405nm lights: https://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-reviews/R2BR1XN80FQT9R/ -Epson printer with tank for custom ink: https://epson.com/For-Work/Printers/Inkjet/EcoTank-ET-M1170-Wireless-Monochrome-Supertank-Printer/p/C11CH44201 -Strange Parts did a great video on metal business cards: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=83GDV0xsTTs -https://mymetalbusinesscard.com/product/stainless-steel-business-cards/ 100 cards for $250 could be the cheapest way to get custom mechanical parts: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bkZkaT_P0Ck Support Applied Science on Patreon https://www.patreon.com/AppliedScience

High-speed X-ray video captured with a Dectris photon-counting detector. I show how the process works and how this detector is different than normal camera detectors. https://www.dectris.com/ https://media.dectris.com/Technical_Specification_PILATUS_100K-S_V1_8.pdf Mexican jumping beans: https://www.amazingbeans.com/ Geiger counter: https://mightyohm.com/blog/products/geiger-counter/ X-ray timelapse video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j-FHbHoiwNk ImageJ image format converter: https://imagej.nih.gov/ij/ (the NIH's SSL cert expired?) Flipping through images fast enough as if playing video: https://www.irfanview.com/ Video editing software: https://www.blackmagicdesign.com/products/davinciresolve/edit The sequence of tiff files directly from the sensor contain a lot of temporal flicker -- probably because the X-ray tube itself has time-varying output. This isn't so bad at 60Hz, but quite a problem at 300Hz. I used Resolve's "color stabilizer" to maintain constant levels throughout a clip, and was impressed how well this removed the flicker. Support Applied Science on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/AppliedScience

An orange plasma display will retain an image caused by incident near-UV light. This is an interesting visual combination of photoelectric, hot carrier injection, plasma, and charge trapping effects. Correction: The orange display is running at 700Hz, 130V in the video. Also, the laser emits no 365nm light. I measured some as low as 380, but the tail isn't as long as I implied! Thanks Matthew King for pointing this out in the comments. I realize that I may have conflated the issues of one-resistor-per-pixel and the display's ability to maintain an image throughout row scanning. They are separate problems that are both addressed by designing the panel to work on AC. Each pixel can maintain its state (on or off) by being supplied constantly with a lower "sustaining" voltage, and can be set or cleared by giving it a momentary higher or lower amplitude. The sustaining voltage allows the pixel to be emitting light or not, and its state remains because of its own impedance until updated on the next scan. In color plasma displays, separate electrodes are used for sustaining and addressing pixels, and the discharge may be sustained between coplanar electrodes instead of plane-to-plane, as in this display. It's also a possibility that the dielectric and MgO layer only exists on one electrode (the metal), and the ITO is bare. I don't know. On this display, if all rows are electrically connected together, and all columns are connected together, and AC is applied to rows and columns, this effect does not work -- no light is emitted at all! At least some of the electrodes (ie every other column) must be left floating to emit any light, and to show this memory effect. So, driving AC plasma panels requires more waveform tricks that I do not fully understand. Photo of the TFT LCD with funny attribution: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Dell_axim_LCD_under_microscope.jpg Applied Science video with rotating, flashing neon light: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h8VJft5Xq5g Prior art patents: https://patents.google.com/patent/US7283301B2/en https://patents.google.com/patent/US20060132716A1/en Physics coffee mug in opening shot: https://www.atomstoastronauts.com/collections/mugs Refs: https://sci-hub.se/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tsf.2015.08.001 https://sci-hub.se/https://doi.org/10.1021/acsphotonics.7b01132 https://sci-hub.se/10.1109/TPS.2003.810178 https://sci-hub.se/10.1109/TED.2003.813452 https://www.nature.com/articles/ncomms7785 https://sci-hub.se/10.1016/S0026-2714(97)00179-0 https://patents.google.com/patent/KR19980085547A/en https://www.slideserve.com/urian/i-structure-of-ac-plasma-display-panel-schematic-of-pdp-drive-system https://patents.google.com/patent/US7589697B1/en Support Applied Science on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/AppliedScience

How to chemically synthesize silver nanoparticles, then grow them into triangular nanoprisms with light from a variety of LEDs. Each color LED creates a different size nanoprism, which has its own characteristic color. CMDITR video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=agD5jfXua-o Multispectral LED driver on Github: https://github.com/benkrasnow/MultiSpectLED Chemicals sourced from Amazon/eBay LR-1 spectrometer: https://www.aseq-instruments.com/LR1.html Micropipette set: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06XJY82N3/ https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01KO7MCCC/ 20ml glass vials with PTFE lined cap (do not use metal-lined): Environmental Express APC1675P Already gone from Amazon pH pen (this cost more than I remember, but it works really well, and has lasted many years. Cheaper pH pens are often pretty bad) https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01ESYG6B0/ Comparison of CD, DVD, Blu-ray discs with electron microscope: https://twitter.com/BenKrasnow/status/615327472909840385 Great way to find related papers: https://www.connectedpapers.com/ Research sources: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=agD5jfXua-o https://sci-hub.se/https://doi.org/10.1002/anie.200604637 https://sci-hub.se/10.1038/nature01937 https://sci-hub.se/10.1126/science.1066541 https://sci-hub.se/10.1002/smll.200801480 https://sci-hub.se/10.1039/b302943c https://opg.optica.org/oe/fulltext.cfm?uri=oe-20-28-29923&id=247745 https://www.rsc.org/suppdata/nr/c4/c4nr06901c/c4nr06901c1.pdf https://sci-hub.se/10.1039/C4NR06901C https://sci-hub.se/10.1155/2018/1781389 https://www.cytodiagnostics.com/pages/silver-nanoparticles-handling-and-storage Support Applied Science on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/AppliedScience

I synthesized olestra from biodiesel, sugar, and soap with a sodium metal catalyst. I also describe some of the history of olestra's development. Procedure that I used (Example 1) https://patents.google.com/patent/US3963699A/en Other resources: https://patents.google.com/patent/US20060047109A1/en https://patents.google.com/patent/US4611055A/en https://sci-hub.se/https://doi.org/10.1021/ed068p476 Biodiesel: https://www.e-education.psu.edu/egee439/node/684 https://extension.okstate.edu/fact-sheets/biodiesel-production-techniques.html https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3anau83Qxt4 Epogee fat substitute: https://www.epogee.com/the-technology https://healthsmartfoods.com/products/sweet-nothings-low-fat-chocolate-covered-caramel Potassium oleate soap synthesis: https://lipidlibrary.aocs.org/documents/LipidsLibrary/Book%20II_ch03.pdf Studies on gastro distress and calorie compensation: https://sci-hub.se/https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1467-789X.2002.00050.x https://sci-hub.se/10.1006/rtph.1997.1164 https://sci-hub.se/10.1001/jama.279.2.150 Anal leakage MadTV: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tx9LSEjgQxY Support Applied Science on Patreon:https://www.patreon.com/AppliedScience

I repaired a large digital x-ray detector and used it to record timelapse and stop-motion animations of plants, a clock, and a camera lens. Applied Science X-ray backscatter imaging system: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H7ldYhzKAp4 Applied Science CT scanner: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hF3V-GHiJ78 Geiger counter: https://mightyohm.com/blog/products/geiger-counter/ Linistepper motor driver: http://www.massmind.org/techref/io/stepper/linistep/lini_use.htm Potassium iodide: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01JKJWXBK GE Rhythm user guide: https://www.bakerhughesds.com/sites/g/files/cozyhq596/files/2018-07/rhythm_rt_manual_english_rev_e.pdf Octave (open source MATLAB alternative): https://www.gnu.org/software/octave/index Mouse movement recorder software: https://sourceforge.net/projects/mousecontroller/ Octave and Arduino code used in this video: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1vM6KSc_EhrKc8J92Yn_-PE-lZhL3gkhA?usp=sharing Thank you for your support on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/AppliedScience Thank you, Amir, for the X-ray sensor and software!

Thermal stress cracking can be completely avoided by CO2 laser cutting thin alumina sheets underwater. I also show how to formulate and apply silver paste, then sinter in a kiln to produce double-sided ceramic printed circuit boards with conductive vias. 60W CW CO2 laser at 80% power. 10mm/sec. Standard lens focal length (50mm). 2mm water above ceramic. 180 passes to cut through 0.75mm thick alumina. Silver paste: 97% silver powder, 3% glass powder by mass. Particle size 1 micron or less. Add poly vinyl alcohol mold release until desired consistency reached. Paste applied with 4 mil thick vinyl stencil. Dried in air 10 minutes, then rapidly brought up to 900*C, held for 10 minutes, then rapidly brought back down to room temperature. Total cycle about 45 minutes. I measured electrical conductivity of the finished traces from my process with vinyl stencils: 4 milliohms per square at 10 micron final thickness. This is pretty close to the Dupont published spec ( less than 2 milliohm/sq at 16 micron thick) Underwater CO2 laser cutting reference: https://sci-hub.se/10.1016/J.JEURCERAMSOC.2011.06.015 60W laser cutter: https://www.ebay.com/itm/294386493292 Ceramic sheets at McMaster: https://www.mcmaster.com/alumina/nonporous-alumina-ceramic-sheets-and-bars/ Ceramic PCB prototypes: https://ceramic-pcb.com/product/alumina-pcb-al2o3-pcb-prototypes-online/ Quickfire kiln: https://kruegerpottery.com/products/par_quikfire6 Raspberry Pi picoReflow oven controller: https://apollo.open-resource.org/mission:resources:picoreflow Silver powder: https://www.ebay.com/itm/122525930519 Glass glaze: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0044SCR6O Macor: https://www.mcmaster.com/materials/material~glass-mica-ceramic/ Dupont silver paste: https://www.dupont.com/content/dam/dupont/amer/us/en/transportation-industrial/public/documents/en/LF131.pdf Binders for ceramic powder: https://digitalfire.com/article/binders+for+ceramic+bodies PVA mold release: https://www.tapplastics.com/product/fiberglass/mold_releases/tap_pva_mold_release_liquid/67 Applied Science on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/AppliedScience

An explanation and demo of atomic layer deposition (ALD) of copper metal on glass. Precursors are copper(I) chloride and hydrogen, processed in a hot-wall tube quartz tube furnace. 10 torr operating pressure 500 sccm argon sweep/purge gas constantly flowing 75 sccm CuCl argon pulse gas (17 seconds including flow controller lag) 100 sccm H pulse gas (14 seconds including flow controller lag) 7 second purge time between pulses 100mm quartz tube furnace diameter 415*C deposition temperature 350*C CuCl evaporation temperature Substrates are mostly borosilicate glass cleaned with RCA clean The "good" samples shown in the video are about 750 cycles (about 9 hours Main ref: https://sci-hub.se/https://doi.org/10.1002/cvde.19970030107 Also helpful: https://sci-hub.se/https://doi.org/10.1063/1.5087759 https://sci-hub.se/10.1149/2.0261501jss https://sci-hub.se/https://doi.org/10.1016/0022-0248(92)90191-K Alicat flow controller manuals (hard to find via website navigation): https://documents.alicat.com/manuals/DOC-MANUAL-MC.pdf https://documents.alicat.com/manuals/old/Gas_Flow_Controller_Manual_rev7.pdf https://documents.alicat.com/Alicat-Serial-Primer.pdf RCA clean: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RCA_clean CuCl synthesis: http://wwwchem.uwimona.edu.jm/lab_manuals/c1901exp35.html Support Applied Science on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/AppliedScience

It's been a very fun 10 years, and there's more to come! Ask your questions in the comments (as always). Liquid oxygen BBQ - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1bjvj5FjUPE Fondant cake making - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_IhibizyrtU Scanning Electron Microscope - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VdjYVF4a6iU Transcranial magnetic Stimulation - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B_olmdAQx5s Supercritical CO2 chamber - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-gCTKteN5Y4 LED in a contact lens - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qHECpEhJdB8 Pop Rocks candy - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qsSwvmNEr0Q X-Ray backscatter - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H7ldYhzKAp4 X-Ray CT - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hF3V-GHiJ78 Cookie Perfection Machine - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8YEdHjGMeho LCD - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_zoeeR3geTA and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d4QFNWBSZYg Vinyl LP in electron microscope - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GuCdsyCWmt8 Silicon etching rugate optical filters - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iwj78pR46zM https://www.patreon.com/AppliedScience

"200 Calories" on a nutrition label doesn't describe the total flammable caloric content. I explore the differences between digestible and flammable calories using a homemade calorimeter with glass windows. Pressure sensor: https://www.digikey.com/en/products/detail/te-connectivity-measurement-specialties/M5842-000005-10KPG/7592854 Schedule 160 pipe on McMaster: https://www.mcmaster.com/7733K259/ 32 ga nichrome wire: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07DL4DSWD/ Power supply (used for ignition wire): https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07SS77N7K/ Keithley 6.5 digit multimeter: https://www.tek.com/tektronix-and-keithley-digital-multimeter/dmm6500 Tek MSO 4 series oscilloscope: https://www.tek.com/oscilloscope/4-series-mso-mixed-signal-oscilloscope Soylent: https://soylent.com/ Hmm, I perhaps mis-remembered that 20% stat from Sally Le Page's video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=92F_yocEchA There may have been another source that indicated the 20% number. This will probably show up in my future video on macronutrients. Support Applied Science on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/AppliedScience

Join me in brainstorming and building a bite force sensor that allows paraplegic musicians to smoothly control an expression pedal. This video will include construction tips and tricks, methods, material selection, and a little design philosophy. Tiny linear potentiometer used in final design: https://www.digikey.com/en/products/detail/bourns-inc/3046L-1-103/3781580 Spring-loaded linear potentiometer: https://www.digikey.com/en/products/detail/tt-electronics-bi/404R10KL1-0/2408603 Sil-Poxy for bonding silicone rubber to itself and other materials: https://www.smooth-on.com/product-line/sil-poxy/ Sorta Clear 40 - Platinum-cure silicone molding: https://www.smooth-on.com/products/sorta-clear-40/ Light-cure 3311 adhesive: https://www.mcmaster.com/1700A253/ (expensive, but this tube will last a long time) Blue lasers on eBay "5mW" *wink* https://www.ebay.com/itm/3-Packs-900Mile-Strong-Laser-Pointer-Pen-Green-Blue-Red-Light-Visible-Beam-Lazer/174479770737 Braided shield, highly flexible, 4-conductor cable: https://www.digikey.com/en/products/detail/tensility-international-corp/30-00218/5270175 Fabric reinforced silicone sheet: https://www.mcmaster.com/8612K51/ Mechanical CAD on github: https://github.com/benkrasnow/BiteSensor Support Applied Science on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/AppliedScience

Passing an electrical current through a silicon wafer in a special acid etchant will create a porous layer with a variable index of refraction. I describe how this process works, and how the Fourier transform relates filter design to electrical etch waveform and resulting spectral response. Notes: 1. The Rugate filters look especially good in polarized light because the reflection from the silicon wafer is reduced, but the reflection from the filter remains strong. I noticed this while holding the wafer in front of my computer monitor. Later, when showing it to friends, the color intensity was poor. Their monitor must have been horizontally polarized, so holding the wafer low, and tilting it upward didn't work! Some monitors are horizontally polarized, and some are vertical. 2. The magnet used to hold down the PTFE cup to the wafer may have a very slight impact on the etch process. The dramatic shift in filter performance at the periphery is due to O-ring restricting the conductive etchant to a sharp edge, creating an electrical field concentration. Outstanding visual Fourier series tutorial: http://www.jezzamon.com/fourier/index.html LR-1 spectrometer: http://www.aseq-instruments.com/LR1.html p-type wafers on eBay. (You have to hunt around and check the photos for info on the label attached to the box of wafers. Be sure to get wafers less than 0.01 ohm-cm) eg https://www.ebay.com/itm/25-silicon-wafer-P-type-150mm-100-sumco/263441166009 n-type wafers are photosensitive during the etch process. Online graphing calculator page from this video: https://www.desmos.com/calculator/hiju8zdqfz Original Desmos page that I used: https://www.desmos.com/calculator/qpnz9celzf Code for Keithley 2450 control and processing.org waveform generation: https://github.com/benkrasnow/Porous_Silicon_Optics Fourier transform to understand optical coatings: http://www.willeyoptical.com/pdfs/92_180.pdf Porous silicon refs: https://www.rp-photonics.com/rugate_filters.html https://www.intechopen.com/books/porosity-process-technologies-and-applications/porous-silicon https://sci-hub.se/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mee.2011.03.143 https://sci-hub.se/https://doi.org/10.1080/10408436.2010.495446 https://sci-hub.se/https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-71381-6_2 https://sci-hub.se/https://doi.org/10.1364/AO.44.005415 https://sci-hub.se/10.1364/OE.16.015531 https://sci-hub.se/https://doi.org/10.1002/adma.19940061214 https://sci-hub.se/https://doi.org/10.1063/1.2906337 Silicon wafer identification flats: https://www.tf.uni-kiel.de/matwis/amat/elmat_en/kap_5/illustr/i5_2_4.html Applied Science on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/AppliedScience

A special 100nm thick window allows 25 KeV electrons to pass from a vacuum tube to the atmosphere where they hit a fluorescent screen -- a CRT in air! Shielded GoPro goes through a powerful electron beam: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yPMpAR9w-L0 More powerful amateur electron beam in air: https://fusor.net/board/viewtopic.php?t=7828 Deep technical resource on dielectric charging via electron bombardment: https://apps.dtic.mil/dtic/tr/fulltext/u2/a172204.pdf Tons of information on industrial e-beam processing: http://iiaglobal.com/uploads/documents/Industrial_Radiation_eBeam_Xray.pdf KF25 to glass tube quick adapter: https://www.idealvac.com/SWIFT-SEAL-KF-to-Compression-Port-Adapter/pp/P103772 100nm silicon nitride windows: https://www.tedpella.com/grids_html/silicon-nitride-x-ray-windows.htm More windows: http://www.temwindows.com/category_s/22.htm Tritium light sources (eBay removed most): https://usa.banggood.com/search/tritium.html E-beam crosslinking: https://ebeamservices.com/polymer-crosslinking/services/plastic-parts/ KF25 cross $18 on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07CKS3H99 Lightbulb sockets: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07SSYN83Y/ Hysol 1C: https://www.amazon.com/Loctite-HL1373425-1373425-Hysol-1C/dp/B000B631G8 Applied Science on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/AppliedScience

Technical details and how to build an ultrasonic soldering iron. This technique can bond difficult-to-solder metals such as titanium as well as glass and ceramics. Cerasolzer technical info: http://cerasolzer.com/cerasolzer/basic_info_gb.html S-bond technical info: https://www.s-bond.com/solutions-and-service/ultrasonic-soldering/ultrasonic-solder-materials/ Overview of active soldering process: https://sci-hub.tw/10.5772/intechopen.82382 Another good overview: https://www.intechopen.com/books/recent-progress-in-soldering-materials/recent-advances-in-solderability-of-ceramic-and-metallic-materials-with-application-of-active-solder Discussion of Sn - La solders: https://www.hindawi.com/journals/amse/2015/269167/ Sn - Ti phase diagram: https://sci-hub.tw/https://doi.org/10.1007/s11669-010-9663-2 This patent has the key list of ingredients (not just broad ranges) listed at paragraph 45: https://patents.google.com/patent/US20160204303A1/en https://www.patreon.com/AppliedScience

I show how an X-ray fluorescence gun works, do a teardown and failure analysis, and discuss a new kind of XRF tech now "available" on eBay. The XRF data can be transferred from the gun to a PC, and analyzed with http://pymca.sourceforge.net/ I did this for several materials, but ran out of time in this video to show the software usage, which is quite involved. Good overall description of XRF: https://phys.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/University_Physics/Book%3A_University_Physics_(OpenStax)/Map%3A_University_Physics_III_-_Optics_and_Modern_Physics_(OpenStax)/08%3A_Atomic_Structure/8.06%3A_Atomic_Spectra_and_X-rays Electron shell shielding described via roller derby ?! https://courses.lumenlearning.com/cheminter/chapter/electron-shielding/ XRF supplies: https://www.amptek.com/ MightyOhm geiger counter: https://mightyohm.com/blog/products/geiger-counter/ The two XRF guns in this video were generously donated by one of my viewers. Thank you! The Tribogenics tape-peel XRF gun on eBay: https://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Watson-XRF-Handheld-Metal-Alloy-Analyzer/123646159115 Applied Science on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/AppliedScience

This vacuum diffusion pump is made entirely of glass so we can see how it works. I also show a CRT built from a glass lab flask. The pump was bought on Amazon! https://www.amazon.com/Vacuum-Diffusion-L-2210-Three-stage-Four-stage/dp/B07MJ2RQ44/ Diffusion pump instructions translation: https://twitter.com/BenKrasnow/status/1170188966642896896 I used DC-704 silicone diffusion pump oil: https://www.duniway.com/catalog/diffusion-pumps/diffusion-pump-oil The tabletop burner and fuel are commonly found at Asian supermarkets. Phosphor paint: https://www.coastairbrush.com/products.asp?cat=386 Water chiller: https://www.ebay.com/itm/S-A-CW-5200-Industry-Water-Chiller-110V-60Hz-for-Laser-Cutting-2-Years-Warranty/122389384736 Support Applied Science on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/AppliedScience

DIY process to copy commercial holograms onto chocolate! Completely edible -- no dyes or inks used. Tech Ingredients' video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SoTi0tM4yQ8 Samy Kamkar's diffractive chocolate: https://twitter.com/samykamkar/status/1259173832620830722 Hologram stickers: https://www.ebay.com/itm/100-Huge-1-9-16-Round-Adhesive-Hologram-Sticker-Labels/331178956157 Silver mirror process: https://sci-hub.tw/https://doi.org/10.1080/00202967.1941.11869396 Add a pinch of sodium lauryl sulfate to the stannous chloride primer solution to help the solution get into contact with the plastic surface. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y-4qqcCxD6g Morphotonix: https://www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2014/06/14/321816570/holographic-chocolates-look-as-beautiful-as-they-taste http://www.morphotonix.com/products/ Caswell nickel electroplating kit: https://www.caswellplating.com/electroplating-anodizing/nickel-plating-kits/nickel-electroplating-kit-1-5-gal.html (Price was already pretty high years ago, and has gone up a lot since; and the kit has fewer components than it used to. But it does work well.) Holography Marketplace book -- lots of very practical information for making your own holograms, and good source of suppliers (though many are out-of-business now): https://www.amazon.com/Holography-MarketPlace-6th-Franz-Ross/dp/0894960997 Very good source for mold making supplies: https://shop.smooth-on.com/ Countermeasures against hologram copying. Holograms are often used as a security seal, so making copies as shown in the video could be a problem without countermeasures: http://www.nli-ltd.com/publications/countermeasures.php I was planning to talk more about different types of holograms in technical detail, but I think I will save it for a future, dedicated video on making original holograms. https://www.patreon.com/AppliedScience

Telecentric and hypercentric optics are very different from our eyes or normal camera lenses. They have "negative" perspective or no perspective, respectively, leading to very unusual images. In this video I show how to use a common fresnel lens in the creation of your own telecentric optical system. Fresnel lens, 300mm dia. 200mm FL is sold out... https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B071ZQL9YZ/ $5 projection lens on eBay: https://www.ebay.com/itm/Delta-108-Projection-Lens-from-U-S-Precision-Lens-inc/264605738684 Good practical discussion of telecentric optics: https://www.lockhaven.edu/~dsimanek/scenario/labman3/telecen.htm https://www.mii.cz/art?id=626&lang=409&style=4 Idea to use macro tubes for telecentric conversion of normal lenses came from here: http://www.4photos.de/camera-diy/Telecentric-Lens.html In-depth info on telecentric lenses: https://schneiderkreuznach.com/application/files/9715/0781/8897/optical-measurement.pdf Commercial hypercentric and telecentric lens maker: https://lw4u.com/ Paper on making telecentric lenses with fresnel front elements: https://sci-hub.tw/10.1117/12.455256 https://www.patreon.com/AppliedScience

Interesting applications of a strong polonium-210 alpha radiation source. The half life is only 140 days, so the Staticmaster brushes must be replaced every year or so. Great technical article on ionization smoke detectors: https://circuitcellar.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/CC2011110601.pdf Staticmaster refill: https://www.amazon.com/Static-Master-4331991414-Static-Master-Refill/dp/B0000ALKDH/ Ionization chamber: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32838644316.html Carl Willis' video on spark gap detectors. (check out his whole channel) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-8GlzUjYazs Polonium poisoning: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poisoning_of_Alexander_Litvinenko https://sci-hub.tw/10.1088/1361-6498/aa58a7 Mightyohm geiger counter: https://mightyohm.com/blog/products/geiger-counter/ Applied Science on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/AppliedScience

I use an antique 4x5 view camera to create high resolution photomasks in my home shop. Source of film and developing chemicals: https://www.freestylephoto.biz/531345-Arista-Ortho-Litho-Film-3.0-3.9x4.9-50-Sheets-For-4x5-Film-Holders Possible source of poster-sized printouts: https://blueprintsprinting.com/pricing/ Gold on microscope slide: https://sci-hub.tw/10.1109/MEMSYS.2013.6474404 Commerical microelectrode arrays: https://www.multichannelsystems.com/products/microelectrode-arrays Vacuum film holder: https://web.archive.org/web/20111016132122/http://cloudynights.com/documents/large.pdf Test patterns: http://www.bealecorner.org/red/test-patterns/ Thought emporium: https://www.youtube.com/user/TheChemlife Huygens Optics: https://www.youtube.com/user/huygensoptics Sam Zeloof: https://www.youtube.com/user/szeloof Support Applied Science on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/AppliedScience

First-ever animation of carbon nanotubes self-aligning into a thread, captured by an electron microscope (as far as I know). Electron microscope animation of phonograph needle: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GuCdsyCWmt8 Toothbrush: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cwN983PnJoA Active integrated circuit in homebuilt electron microscope: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eoRVEw5gL8c Electron microscope image capture system: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ruuxn2u3yao https://www.patreon.com/AppliedScience

Recreating MIT's "blacker than vantablack" in a home shop (almost). MIT press release: http://news.mit.edu/2019/blackest-black-material-cnt-0913 MIT nanotube-on-aluminum paper: https://sci-hub.tw/https://doi.org/10.1021/acsami.9b08290 NIST nanotube darkness comparison: https://aip.scitation.org/doi/pdf/10.1063/1.5009190 Shaper handheld CNC router: https://www.shapertools.com/ Almost-as-large quartz tube (I used 76mm OD) : https://www.ebay.com/itm/Fused-quartz-glass-tubing-OD-50mm-x-ID-46mm-x-L-1-240mm-48-Free-Shipping/113713893883 Insulating firebrick for tube furnace: https://www.ebay.com/itm/Insulating-FireBrick-Thermal-Ceramics-K-26-3-10-pk/131698699891 Black velvet on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07BGZ82XH/ LR-1 spectrometer: http://www.aseq-instruments.com/LR1.html Applied Science on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/AppliedScience

A new technique to make graphite air bearings without precision tooling. I show how to make spherical, cylindrical, and flat bearings that are also vacuum pre-loaded, meaning the bearing is captive. David Preiss' excellent video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vuzoEe_ykmM 10mm thick graphite sheet: https://www.amazon.com/Graphite-Smooth-Polished-Surface-200MMx100MMx10MM/dp/B07S2RDQ6P 2" ball bearing: https://www.amazon.com/Inch-Chrome-Steel-Bearing-Ball/dp/B0074VCP8S Small 10-32 hose barb fitting: https://www.mcmaster.com/5047k11 Linear bearing shaft: https://www.mcmaster.com/6061k35 Fusion360 CAD files: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1fj6zJ9GlZ07WB6jVrltPNsvqsU06qTAP?usp=sharing 12x18 granite surface plate: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01LWBEEH8 Applied Science on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/AppliedScience

How to build and operate a simple mass spectrometer. Please ask questions in the comments, as always. (I had to re-upload this video to fix the ending --I'm very sorry if your early comments were lost!) Scientific American article: https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/the-amateur-scientist-1970-07/ $7.99 is a good value for the entire back issue in plain PDF format, and an example of a publisher being reasonable. I'm happy to support this. Original Dewdney paper: https://sci-hub.tw/https://doi.org/10.1119/1.1969211 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isotopes_of_potassium https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ionization_energy https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thermal_ionization https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gyroradius https://www.patreon.com/AppliedScience

Teardown of a "date back" or "data back" camera and description of how it works: A micro LCD projector with incandescent light bulb! https://www.patreon.com/AppliedScience

I bought some HSS stub drills, and treated half of them with liquid nitrogen, which improved their wear resistance dramatically. I also look at the change in microstructure with an electron microscope. Performance of cryogenically treated M35 HSS drills - http://sci-hub.tw/10.1007/s00170-011-3616-8 Performance of cryogenically treated HSS tools - http://sci-hub.tw/10.1016/j.wear.2006.01.017 Effects of Cryogenic Treatment on the Strength Properties - http://sci-hub.tw/10.1088/1757-899X/229/1/012014 LN2 generator video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7PWESWqhD8s Heat treatment of steel video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ulfCxDsVTWo Source of drill bits: https://www.mcmaster.com/catalog/125/2508 Temperature logger (discontinued, unfortunately): https://www.adafruit.com/product/3081 3M fine polishing pads: https://www.amazon.com/Tri-M-Ite-Polishing-Abrasive-Assorted-Sheets/dp/B07CP9CCH4/ Delorean patent on cryogenic torsion bar: https://patents.google.com/patent/US4378658 Steel grain structure inspection, and overall great channel for material analysis: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UuHofNW40Yw Steel grain structure video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0SIr2sBHxA4 Applied Science on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/AppliedScience

Ordinary printer paper is darkened by a high power UV laser, and then the affected area disappears in four minutes! This is caused by fluorescent brightening agents that are added to printer paper, which are temporarily overloaded by the intense UV light. It seems that oxygen plays a role in this, as hydrogen peroxide applied to the marks cause them to disappear instantly, and prevent them from being formed again by the laser. Performing the experiment in argon appears to slow the disappearing ink effect. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/(E)-Stilbene http://abchemitrans.com/dokumenty/Brochure_OPTICAL_BRIGHTENERS.pdf https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/19440049.2014.934302?mobileUi=0&journalCode=tfac20 https://patents.google.com/patent/US20140339462A1 https://www.patreon.com/AppliedScience

Testing myths about gas inside tennis balls. Note: I should have added that all of the gases tested would have the same bounce height in a perfect no-loss system. The reason that SF6 bounces higher is because it heats less during compression, lowering the amount of possible thermal loss. Argon heats more during compression, and can lose more energy because of thermal transfer from the gas into the cylinder walls, where it is not restored upon decompression. Things are more complex in a tennis ball, though: Most of the losses are in the rubber shell, and not in the thermal dissipation of the fill gas. It's hard to estimate, but I'd say that the highest fill pressure, with a high-gamma gas would prove to be the most bouncy since it would cause the rubber shell to deform the least. The amount of compression in a tennis ball is very low, and any effect due to the gamma of the gas will be extremely small. Fill pressure will have a dramatically bigger effect. Google drive link : https://drive.google.com/open?id=10gktbl7YQve5IKNAak1L0wIS_g_4BVEW Nike Air: https://news.nike.com/news/nike-air-max-sustainability EPA SF6 use: https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2016-02/documents/conf00_smythe_paper.pdf 100 kg load cell: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B077YHNNCP/ Instrumentation amplifier: https://www.ebay.com/itm/INA114-Instrumentation-Amplifier-Module-1000-Times-Gain-Adjustable-Single-Supply/272973857983 SF6 on eBay: https://www.ebay.com/itm/Sulfur-Hexafluoride-SF6-18-lb-Tank-New-full-cylinder-Insulating-Gas-SALE/283464688564 Tennis ball patent: https://patents.google.com/patent/US4358111 SF6 data sheet: https://npeinc.com/manuals/General%20Electric/GEBK-IBvendor/ALLIED%20CHEMICAL.PDF SF6 worldwide usage: https://www.ipcc-nggip.iges.or.jp/public/gp/bgp/3_5_SF6_Electrical_Equipment_Other_Uses.pdf General adiabatic resources: http://rogercortesi.com/ideas/public/gasspring.html https://arxiv.org/pdf/1708.01282.pdf http://isjos.org/JoP/vol1/Papers/JoPv1i1-2Tennis.pdf http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/Sound/souspe3.html https://www.patreon.com/AppliedScience

Laboratory synthesis and systematic testing of a corrosion inhibitor commonly found in engine oils. This inhibitor is the reaction product of 2,5-dimercapto-1,3,4-thiadiazole and oleic acid. Source of recipe: https://patents.google.com/patent/US4193882 Water fogger: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00TN5EUUE/ Source of DMTD: https://www.amazon.com/TCI-America-Bismuthiol-B0593-25G-95-0/dp/B0727V9DQY/ Oleic Acid: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01BLUTRO2 https://www.patreon.com/AppliedScience

How to build a replica DSKY unit using an electroluminescent driver circuit and screen-printed conductive ink. Source code, PCB files, screen print graphics, etc: https://github.com/benkrasnow/DSKY_EL_replica Other folks in the community have been working on authentic DSKY replicas, notably, Fran Blanche: https://hackaday.com/2017/05/29/re-creating-the-apollo-dskys-display/ https://youtu.be/hiqibWP2WNA?t=647 https://www.patreon.com/AppliedScience

I show how to build an EDM drilling machine, describe how it works, and where to buy parts. Source for the arc generator: https://baxedm.com/ BaxEDM YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCy4kgsAYxcraee8w5SfqXPA/videos I used the Kflop, Kanalog, and Kstep from https://dynomotion.com/ OpenBuilds CNC machine: https://openbuildspartstore.com/openbuilds-sphinx-55-20-x-20/ EDM hollow drill rods: https://www.ebay.com/itm/EDM-WIRE-MACHINE-DRILL-0-60mm-1-CERAMIC-GUIDE-30-SINGLE-HOLE-BRASS-TUBES-EDM/161395647605 EDM drill head: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/EDM-Rotated-Head-for-Small-Hole-EDM-Drilling-Machine/32353532977.html EDM drill head seals: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Rubber-Seal-for-EDM-Small-Hole-Drilling-Machines/789294397.html Airless paint sprayer: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004Z2090U Water filter: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01CFOFZ08 Cartridges are cheap, similar to this: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01FKNK69G/ https://www.patreon.com/AppliedScience

An electro-osmotic pump is an unusual and interesting way to pump fluids and also measure their flow rate with only an electric field (no magnets). Refs (in order of relevance) https://sci-hub.tw/10.1016/S0039-9140(99)00320-3 http://micromachine.stanford.edu/~dlaser/research_pages/electrokinetics_and_eof.html https://www3.nd.edu/~changlab/documents/Youcef.pdf https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2756694/ https://psec.uchicago.edu/library/photocathodes/SiO2_OH_model.pdf https://www.patreon.com/AppliedScience

I use a deuterium light source to determine the absorption effectiveness of UV safety glasses and sunscreen, as well as common transparent materials. Another interesting application of sunscreen, UV, and visual indicators: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h8VJft5Xq5g References for CIE erythema action spectrum: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ultraviolet_index http://sci-hub.tw/10.1039/C1PP05271C https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlelanding/2012/pp/c1pp05271c/unauth#!divAbstract https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deuterium_arc_lamp https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emission_spectrum#Radiation_from_molecules http://www.aseq-instruments.com/ https://www.ebay.com/itm/Fused-quartz-glass-plate-50mm-x-50mm-x-1mm-2-pieces-Free-Shipping/123634196683 https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001RKFZPC/ https://www.patreon.com/AppliedScience

A complete guide to making high-resolution screen prints with minimal tools. Notes: When applying film emulsion to the screen, the matte surface should face the screen. The glossy surface is the plastic backing, which is removed later, just before exposure. The resolution test shown in the video actually indicates line width, not pitch. So, the 1mm sample has 1mm lines and 1mm spaces. Thus, the pitch is actually 2mm. The Nazdar paint instructions say there is a 30 minute "induction" period that is needed for the catalyst to start working. Nope. Just weigh out the paint and catalyst, mix, and immediately apply to the screen. Print the needed items quickly, and clean it off the screen as soon as possible. Use disposable mixing cups / tools. It is *messy*! If your emulsion is not sticking to the screen, even with very long exposure times, it probably isn't dry. The green film may seem fairly dry after a few hours, but adhesion during the wash out process will be poor until it is really completely dry, then exposed. Shopping list: Pre-stretched screen: https://www.mclogan.com/shop/aluminum-12x17-p-1173-c-293_297_379_3.html Squeegee: https://www.mclogan.com/shop/squeegees-per-inch-durometer-p-5-c-293_297_1_4.html Epoxy paint: https://www.mclogan.com/shop/nazdar-ade-series-epoxy-screen-ink-p-1145.html Paint cleaner: https://www.mclogan.com/shop/mclogan-graphic-press-wash-p-156.html Emulsion remover: https://www.mclogan.com/shop/mclogan-emulsion-remover-concentrate-p-149-c-187_42_44.html Degreaser: https://www.atlasscreensupply.com/store/p/163-ICC-858-Stain-Remover/Degreaser-Quart.aspx Film emulsion: https://www.atlasscreensupply.com/store/p/772-DuraCap-11-x-14.aspx Vellum paper: https://www.amazon.com/Office-Depot-Premium-Translucent-Vellum/dp/B014SBHGMQ/ Consider using 365nm LEDs instead of fluorescent tubes for exposure. https://www.patreon.com/AppliedScience

Ask questions in the comments, and I'll answer as many as I can. I show my video production process, answer questions about why I make videos, discuss camera gear, and do a quick shop tour. Steve Ramsey on 10 years of YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uAJ01VAmAKQ Smarter Every Day does a great job at capturing the excitement of discovery: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AnaASTBn_K4 https://www.patreon.com/AppliedScience

A plain laser diode can easily measure sub-micron vibrations from centimeters away by self-mixing interferometry! I also show how this technique can be used for range-finding. http://sci-hub.tw/http://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/1464-4258/4/6/371/pdf https://www.jameco.com/Jameco/Products/ProdDS/2120428.pdf https://www.spiedigitallibrary.org/journals/optical-engineering/volume-57/issue-05/051506/Overview-of-self-mixing-interferometer-applications-to-mechanical-engineering/10.1117/1.OE.57.5.051506.full?SSO=1 Nerd Thunder! Check them out! Dean Segovis: https://www.youtube.com/user/HackaweekTV Jeri Ellsworth: https://www.youtube.com/user/jeriellsworth Becky Stern: https://www.youtube.com/user/bekathwia Ben Krasnow: https://www.youtube.com/user/bkraz333 John Schuch: https://www.youtube.com/user/HackersBenchTV Darren Landrum: https://www.youtube.com/user/dmlandrum Joe Grand: https://www.youtube.com/user/kingpinempire Mark VandeWettering: https://www.youtube.com/user/brainwagon Alan Wolke: https://www.youtube.com/user/w2aew/ https://www.patreon.com/AppliedScience

This electroluminescent paint can make almost any smooth surface glow, even flexible objects. I show how to use it, and demo a custom multi-channel driver circuit that I designed. https://hackaday.io/project/162240-multi-channel-electroluminescent-driver https://github.com/benkrasnow/EL_driver_multi https://www.lumilor.com/ https://www.coastairbrush.com/categories.asp?cat=386 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PEDOT:PSS http://www.testequipmentdepot.com/metcal/fluid-dispensing-systems/dispensers-controllers/dispensers/0-100-psi-economical-digital-dispenser-dx250.htm https://www.amazon.com/KSGER-Soldering-Electronic-Elements-200V-260V/dp/B07F5J5WXM https://www.amazon.com/Heat-Scientific-Ceramic-Resistive-OD30T1-2/dp/B074Z62BDK/ https://www.mcmaster.com/6699a8 https://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/3m-tc/1-2-6-1183/3M9895-ND/2649440 https://www.patreon.com/AppliedScience

I tested the 32KHz MEMs oscillator used in some phones, and discovered that just a 2% helium environment will cause the oscillator to fail. I also do a teardown of the MEMs device, and inspect it under the electron microscope. iFixit blog post: https://ifixit.org/blog/11986/iphones-are-allergic-to-helium/ and vid: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D0YLW6v5hrA Original thread about MRI facility and iPhone failure on Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/sysadmin/comments/9mk2o7/mri_disabled_every_ios_device_in_facility/ MEMs silicon encapsulation: http://micromachine.stanford.edu/~bongsang/pdf/Candler_2005_Transducers05_Hydrogen_diffusion_encapsulated.pdf https://www.sitime.com/api/gated/AN20001-MEMS-First-and-EpiSeal-Processes.pdf https://sci-hub.tw/10.1109/TADVP.2003.818062 I added images and raw data here: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1l3mJ4UTs8aY70scH7vDaf0M8pLeP2kqI?usp=sharing Applied Science on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/AppliedScience

Two unusual materials with unusual names. I show how to make "dry" water and propane gas hydrate, which looks like ice and is flammable. Dry water http://www.diva-portal.org/smash/get/diva2:1024928/FULLTEXT02.pdf Propane clathrate https://sci-hub.tw/10.1021/jp3035049 Propane hydrate formation https://sci-hub.tw/10.1021/ie0207764 Methane storage in hydrates https://sci-hub.tw/10.1021/ja8048173 Propane hydrate: https://ps.uci.edu/scholar/sites/default/files/making_a_propane_clathrate_hydrate_1.pdf https://www.netl.doe.gov/research/oil-and-gas/project-summaries/completed-env/fwp-feab112 Propane vapor pressure: https://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/docs/documents/1020/propane_C3H8_vapour_pressure.pdf Fumed hydrophobic silica on eBay: https://www.ebay.com/itm/Hydrophobic-Fumed-Silica-Powder-2-Qt-64-oz-volume/123100048097 https://www.patreon.com/AppliedScience

I developed a new chemical process to make double-sided PCBs with a laser cutter, and some common chemicals. This is intended to be used on SLA 3D-printed parts, but may work on many materials. Refs: http://infohouse.p2ric.org/ref/29/28004.pdf http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/download?doi=10.1.1.527.5817&rep=rep1&type=pdf http://shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in/bitstream/10603/195088/3/chapter%202.pdf https://sci-hub.tw/https://doi.org/10.1016/S0167-577X(03)00424-5 https://library.nrao.edu/public/memos/chem/CHEM_5.pdf https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/48645791.pdf Support Applied Science: https://www.patreon.com/AppliedScience

This vintage electrical meter is incredibly sensitive, and latches relay contacts with just 18 nanowatts! Link to old Weston advertisement from 1950's: https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/7efe/c1a814298b121ecf67947183d3630db7f3b0.pdf https://www.patreon.com/AppliedScience

A practical introduction to understanding magnetic devices such as transformers and motors. This video covers BH curves, reluctance, permeability, DC and AC magnetic circuits, and some applications. CORRECTION: at 13:48, I say that permeability can be negative. This is not true. All permeabilities are positive. Diamagnetic materials have permeabilities that are lower than empty space (eg .95 relative permeability). There is another quantity which is called susceptibility, which describes the ratio between flux carried by a material, and the flux carried by the space which the material occupies. This quantity can be negative. Please put questions in the comments, and I'll do my best to answer them! I apologize that I didn't mention inductance. This video focuses only on the magnetic side of things. Inductance is how the electrical circuit interacts with the magnetics. https://www.patreon.com/AppliedScience

Why is a candle flame repelled by magnets? It turns out to be a combination of diamagnetic soot particles and hot gas. Dr. Faraday on the diamagnetic condition: https://books.google.com/books?id=Shc8boMnrBoC&pg=RA3-PA406&lpg=RA3-PA406#v=onepage&q&f=false On Flame and Gases: https://books.google.com/books?id=D8NAAAAAcAAJ&pg=PA187&lpg=PA187#v=onepage&q&f=false I should have mentioned in the video that the exhaust from a flame will be oxygen-poor, thus also making it more diamagnetic than normal air. Air is a mixture of nitrogen (diamagnetic) and oxygen (paramagnetic). Removing the oxygen will make the resulting gas more diamagnetic. https://www.patreon.com/AppliedScience

I demo the Zeeman effect with a sodium flame and 1 tesla electromagnet! Inspiration on xoFunkox's channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iyBjPiRlxzg Follow-up video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JV4Fk3VNZqs Zeeman effect Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zeeman_effect 18W low-pressure sodium lamp on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Philips-234047-18-watt-SOX-E18-Pressure/dp/B004NIRVXO Microwave oven transformer. The price has been going up on these. I seem to remember paying just $10 or $20 each. Finding junked microwave ovens is fairly easy too. https://www.ebay.com/itm/Microwave-Oven-High-Voltage-Transformer-GAL-700U-1-w15/273263153173?hash=item3f9fc0d015:g:JXUAAOSwC~1bFzPk Magnetic field meter: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B074KVK7WD/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 50A power supply (DC stick welder, not this exact model, but very similar) https://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200680691_200680691?cm_mmc=Google-pla&utm_source=Google_PLA&utm_medium=Welding%20%3E%20Arc%20%2B%20Stick%20Welding&utm_campaign=Klutch&utm_content=55728&cm_mmc=Google-pla&utm_source=google_PLA&utm_campaign=&mkwid=sVlyaIJ6C&pcrid=39155627516&devicetype=c&gclid=CjwKCAjwgr3ZBRAAEiwAGVssnap1_WInlowjEuN5nqZ78ooT_yMVbyM3wCFCSW6Cvs5ySiXZucsw1BoCtnQQAvD_BwE Faraday effect on Applied Science: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XhU-nNiAgtI&t=46s Applied Science on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/AppliedScience

The new Form Labs printer prints my brain and a bunch of other highly detailed stuff. Download my brain: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2903048 Complete instructions to print your own brain: https://github.com/miykael/3dprintyourbrain Using the above tool on Windows: http://nuclear-imaging.info/site_content/2016/09/12/installing-running-freesurfer-windows-10/ Formlabs: https://formlabs.com/ Tesla valve: https://grabcad.com/library/tesla-one-way-valve-1 Vortex tube: https://grabcad.com/library/vortex-tube https://www.patreon.com/AppliedScience

Spraying water onto a piece of glass will create plasma (no, really!). https://authors.library.caltech.edu/83266/4/PNAS-2017-Gharib-12657-62.pdf http://www.pnas.org/content/suppl/2017/11/15/1712717114.DCSupplemental Hydraulic power unit eg: https://www.ebay.com/p/110v-Electric-Manual-Valve-Hydraulic-Pump-10000psi-Industrial-Supply/803674117?iid=182542644055 Hydraulic ram: https://www.ebay.com/itm/20-tons-4-stroke-Single-Acting-Hydraulic-Cylinder-10000PSI-Jack-Ram-YG-20100/322196831537 Sapphire orifice: https://www.accustream.com/waterjet-parts/accustream/accustream-orifices-nozzles/ruby-diamond-orifices/11007-XXX.html 150K psi gauge was found on eBay after a very long search. Rare! Support Applied Science videos: https://www.patreon.com/AppliedScience

How to make and test your own pieces of YBCO superconductor. Best how-to resources for YBCO: http://physlab.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/Superconductor_manual1.pdf http://www.futurescience.com/scpart1.html https://pubs.acs.org/doi/pdf/10.1021/ed078p1182.1 -- I couldn't get this to work. All chemical purchased on eBay. The kiln that I used: https://www.sheffield-pottery.com/PARAGON-QUIKFIRE-6-KILN-p/pqf6.htm Colored ferrofluid: https://www.amazon.com/Emerald-Green-Ferrofluid-60ml-Display/dp/B015WNU9NM/ Pax temperature logger: http://paxinstruments.com/products/sku927/ Keithly SMU: https://www.tek.com/keithley-source-measure-units/keithley-smu-2400-series-sourcemeter Applied Science on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/AppliedScience

A very unusual way to flash a neon lamp using sunscreen. Aerolux lamps: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aerolux_Light_Corporation Good selection of gear motors at Jameco: https://www.jameco.com/shop/keyword=12Vdc-Gear-Motor Awesome Keithly SourceMeter: https://www.tek.com/keithley-source-measure-units/keithley-smu-2400-series-sourcemeter This video is a freebie for Patreon supporters, and I will donate any awards to a STEM education charity.

Build a capable waterjet cutter from a commercial pressure washer. Sources: Cutting head - https://www.accustream.com/waterjet-parts/accustream/a2/a2-cutting-head/12272.html Orifice - https://www.accustream.com/waterjet-parts/accustream/accustream-orifices-nozzles/ruby-diamond-orifices/11007-XXX.html Mixing tube (nozzle) - https://www.accustream.com/waterjet-parts/accustream/accustream-orifices-nozzles/nozzles/12781-045-30.html Pressure washer - https://www.amazon.com/Excell-EPW2123100-Powered-Pressure-Washer/dp/B01MZEIYM7 Pressure washer hose coupling (for brazing into cutting head) - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01MXW4GG9/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1 eBay CNC milling (eg) - https://www.ebay.com/itm/USB-CNC-ROUTER-ENGRAVER-ENGRAVING-CUTTING-3-AXIS-3040T-300X400MM-MACHINE-MILLING/272920186416?epid=21006871220 Applied Science on Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/AppliedScience

How to make small batches of specialty glass with minimal equipment. Good overview glass engineering book from 1920 (how to choose ingredients) : http://www.wallace-venable.name/Glass/bastow_American_Glass_Practice.pdf "5mW" *nudge-wink* 405nm laser pointer: https://www.ebay.com/itm/5MW-405nm-High-Powerful-Blue-Voilet-Purple-Laser-Pointer-Pen-Lazer-Beam-Light/381987406125 Alumina melting dish on eBay: https://www.ebay.com/itm/Crucibles-Melting-Dishes-Ceramic-4-Size-Casting-Torch-Melt-Jewelry-Gold-Silver/291595276663 Source of kiln paper, mold release, molds, glass fusing supplies: https://www.delphiglass.com/ Paragon Quickfire kiln: https://www.sheffield-pottery.com/PARAGON-QUIKFIRE-6-KILN-p/pqf6.htm Case of 12 insulating fire bricks: https://www.ebay.com/itm/IFB-Thermal-Ceramics-K26-2-5-12-pk/130342021835 Graphite mold: https://www.ebay.com/itm/5-in-1-Gold-Melting-Graphite-Ingot-Casting-Refining-Scrap-Bar-Coin-Combo-Mold/321838368964 Relevant patents for photochromic recipes: https://docs.google.com/viewer?url=patentimages.storage.googleapis.com/pdfs/US2515936.pdf https://docs.google.com/viewer?url=patentimages.storage.googleapis.com/pdfs/US3548060.pdf https://patentimages.storage.googleapis.com/b1/76/10/d4bd570c1a161c/US4374931.pdf https://patentimages.storage.googleapis.com/26/71/a3/481dc009490fe6/US2515275.pdf https://patentimages.storage.googleapis.com/a1/cf/ef/a11d9037375914/US2684911.pdf https://patentimages.storage.googleapis.com/0c/b0/d2/d53ec9e6fd478a/US3548060.pdf https://patentimages.storage.googleapis.com/3d/31/3b/0b3bc6c18b7ef3/US3419370.pdf Glass colors: http://www.compoundchem.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/The-Chemistry-of-Coloured-Glass.png Applied Science on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/AppliedScience

How to modify E-paper display firmware to get 3Hz update rate. Links to all datasheets and sources: http://benkrasnow.blogspot.com/2017/10/fast-partial-refresh-on-42-e-paper.html Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/AppliedScience

I built an extremely small lightbulb flasher and describe the design process and challenges. This video is free for Patreon subscribers, and if I win the contest prize, I will donate the winnings to a STEM education charity. 2017 Flashing Light Prize: https://www.flashinglightprize.com/ Source of micro light bulbs: http://cir-kitconcepts.com/shop/ Single Schmitt inverter: https://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/fairchild-on-semiconductor/NC7SV14L6X/NC7SV14L6XCT-ND/4744593 The SR416 cell is the smallest primary power source available: http://www.watchbatteries-usa.com/size.html Spot Welder: https://www.powerstream.com/spot-welder.htm Big thanks to Tektronix for very useful test gear. Much appreciated! Applied Science on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/AppliedScience

Building an abrasive waterjet cutter with a $150 pressure washer. Follow-up video with gasoline-powered washer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qAIDFaKhcZE Water orifice, mixing tube (nozzle), cutting head, high pressure fittings, valve: https://www.accustream.com/ 80 grit garnet abrasive - ebay eg http://www.ebay.com/itm/40-LBS-Garnet-80-grit-coarse-med-sand-blasting-abrasive-Fast-Cutting-Media-/272599344178 Sun Joe pressure washer: https://www.amazon.com/Joe-SPX3000-Pressure-14-5-Amp-Electric/dp/B00CPGMUXW Pressure gauge - https://www.mcmaster.com/#4053K15 Good waterjet background and design info: https://wardjet.com/waterjet/university/nozzle-orifice Good selection of higher-end pressure washers: https://www.pressurewashersdirect.com/ Wikipedia waterjet cutter (diagram image source): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Water_jet_cutter Wazer waterjet cutter on Kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1294137530/the-first-desktop-waterjet-cutter Support more Applied Science videos: https://www.patreon.com/AppliedScience

I show how to collect detailed CAN bus data from a Tesla Model S, and display it in the car's own web browser! Complete Raspberry Pi with CAN bus shield and 12V buck converter: http://copperhilltech.com/raspberry-pi-3-system-with-can-bus-interface/ Diagnostic connector pinout (scroll through the images): http://store.evtv.me/proddetail.php?prod=TeslaCANKit Tesla diagnostic connector: https://www.panjo.com/buy/tesla-diagnostic-cable-for-ms-mx-sept-2015-and-up-bare-wire-version-308125 RPi CAN bus tutorial: http://www.cowfishstudios.com/blog/canned-pi-part1 Get node.js installed on the RPi: http://thisdavej.com/beginners-guide-to-installing-node-js-on-a-raspberry-pi/ I used socket.io, which is a module that installs into node.js: https://www.npmjs.com/package/socket.io Basic sequence to setup the server on the Pi: sudo ip link set can0 type can bitrate 500000 listen-only on sudo ip link set can0 up candump -cae can0,0:0,#FFFFFFFF candump -cae can0,0:0,#FFFFFFFF | grep 106 | awk -Winteractive '{ print $10}' | node app.js Tesla CAN bus reverse engineering: https://skie.net/skynet/downloads I will post the node.js code on my blog: http://benkrasnow.blogspot.com/2017/02/show-how-to-collect-detailed-can-bus.html Support Applied Science on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/AppliedScience

High speed video with Chronos 1.4 camera movement and dolly zoom effect. 5:44 for the key high-speed shot. Big servo motor: https://www.teknic.com/products/clearpath-brushless-dc-servo-motors/ Small servo motor: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/tropicallabs/mechaduino-powerful-open-source-industrial-servo-m Ball-joint mount: https://www.amazon.com/VideoSecu-Univaersal-Satellite-Speaker-Bracket/dp/B005BV0FHG/ Chronos high-speed camera: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1714585446/chronos-14-high-speed-camera Slow mo music: "Dewdrop Fantasy" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

I used the Chronos high-speed camera to create an effect similar to Bullet Time in which the camera moves instantaneously (or just very quickly in this case). Chronos on Kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1714585446/chronos-14-high-speed-camera Chronos camera review on EEVBlog: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rxYxTqALycM Teknic servo motor: https://www.teknic.com/products/clearpath-brushless-dc-servo-motors/ Wireless shutter release: https://www.amazon.com/TW-283-N3-Wireless-Shutter-Release/dp/B016W3KFA8 World's most powerful LED : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h-UoYVBFRPQ Ossuary 5 - Rest Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

If you restore antique AM radios, you may have noticed that there is little or no decent music available on AM broadcast. In this video, I how how to build a very simple AM transmitter that lets you play MP3 through an antique radio. Note, that I used a 9V regulator to supply the Opamp. This is fixed with annotations (not visible on mobile). Matching transformer: http://www.digikey.com/product-search/en?keywords=MT4153-ND Xtal oscillator: http://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/cts-frequency-controls/MXO45-3C-1M0000/CTX775-ND/1801890 MP3 player: http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Black-Mini-Remote-Control-USB-SD-FM-MP3-Audio-Player-Module-DC5V-12V-DIY-/162193192705

Handheld CNC router: https://shapertools.com/ Rubber band thermodynamics: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rubber_band#Thermodynamics Rubber band bicycle wheel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dBXL93984cQ Thermal camera in this video: Opgal Therm-App 25Hz: http://www.therm-app.com/ Let me know if you're interested in seeing more detail about this device in a future video. Support the creation of Applied Science videos: https://www.patreon.com/AppliedScience

This paper has an unusual coating that swells up when heat is applied. It's normally used by printing on it with a standard inkjet or laser printer, then exposing it to a very bright light. The dark areas absorb more energy, and become raised. I also experiment with the material in a laser cutter. http://www.americanthermoform.com/ - Source of the paper used in this video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0fIg4rI4cDw - Video about the U Michigan group

I show how to use a handheld CNC router, the Shaper Origin, to make aluminum parts for my CNC mill. http://www.shapertools.com Shaft encoder: http://www.cui.com/product/components/encoders/incremental/modular/amt11-series

Quick demonstration of a piezoelectric motor. www.pcbmotor.com (not sponsored or solicited -- just interesting tech) https://www.patreon.com/AppliedScience

I describe how I designed and built a spincoater, and how you can use a similar motor control system in your own projects. Firmware with I2C and Arduino library https://www.bluerobotics.com/forums/topic/blueesc-firmware-compatible-with-afro-slim-20a-esc/ Compile instructions http://lunarflow.com/index.php?topic=7.0 Flash tool to download firmware (and other helpful features) http://lazyzero.de/en/modellbau/kkmulticopterflashtool Arduino code and assembly for motor ESC https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=0B4YXWiqYWB99UFNheWt1Nk5pX1k&usp=sharing https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spin_coating

Non-working instructions to make gecko tape: http://nisenet.org/sites/default/files/catalog/uploads/4665/synthetic_gecko_tape_facilitated_activity.pdf Gecko tape research: http://digitalassets.lib.berkeley.edu/etd/ucb/text/Gillies_berkeley_0028E_13911.pdf Wedge-shaped gecko tape for asymmetric adhesion: http://bdml.stanford.edu/uploads/Main/Publications/DayPreprint2013.pdf Thanks so much for your support: Nathan Lefler Guillaume Fransen I Built It Dustin M. Krueger Bjorn Joel Brinton Tyler Kragh Matthew Hill Erik Saathoff Steven Hausman Philip Dorr Max Loutzenheiser Ales Assouline Eivind Vigsnes Better Credits titlescreen coming soon!

Anti-theft tags contain a tiny mechanical oscillator that is activated by a magnetic field. The detectors at a shop's doorway can detect the oscillation magnetically. The tag can be activated and deactivated by magnetizing or demagnetizing it, respectively. Special thanks for your support: Matthew Hill Erik Saathoff Max Loutzenheiser (better credits titlescreen in the next video!) Support Applied Science: https://www.patreon.com/AppliedScience Sources: http://www.metglas.com/products/magnetic_materials/2826mb.asp https://www.google.com/patents/WO1999013442A1?cl=en&dq=magnetostrictive+marker&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjT8bCCtLLJAhVP9GMKHYThCY8Q6AEIMjAD https://patents.google.com/patent/WO2008032274A2/en?q=magnetostrictive&q=amorphous&q=theft https://www.google.com/patents/US4510489?dq=4,510,489&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwi0x_SosbLJAhVJyWMKHbl_AI4Q6AEIHDAA https://www.google.com/patents/US4298862 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnetostriction

See how your trusty toothbrush becomes worn out. Special thanks to Harri Lähteenmäki and Johannes S. Zwilling for sending me the smooth zoom footage of the tungsten filament, and showing me how to use After Effects to get a much better effect. I really appreciate it! http://www.videocopilot.net/tutorials/earth_zoom/ Support Applied Science: https://www.patreon.com/AppliedScience Macrophotgraphy with a microscope objective: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HVSjUW2qQ6U

The 8KJ ruby laser in action! Also, see some other Applied Science projects and what is coming next. NightHawkInLight on youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/Nighthawkinlight Ben on Embedded.fm: http://embedded.fm/episodes/119 Ruby Laser design process: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VSdUQ4oNKiI Cookie Perfection machine: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8YEdHjGMeho DIY SEM: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VdjYVF4a6iU Support Applied Science on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/AppliedScience

A general overview of cleaning solvents and techniques. Solvent selection and effectiveness: http://www.productionmachining.com/articles/selecting-solvents-for-precision-cleaning Dan Gelbart on coatings and surface cleaning: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x7onZGqrYyY https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kauri-butanol_value http://cool.conservation-us.org/coolaic/sg/bpg/annual/v03/bp03-04.html

This video shows a microcontroller-based image capture system that makes it easier for me to record animations with my scanning electron microscope. Support Applied Science videos: https://www.patreon.com/AppliedScience The diagram in the video is missing equal-valued resistors for the second opamp in the video processing chain. Gain=-1 Teensy firmware: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B4YXWiqYWB99bHd5ekVjeS1VZDQ/ Processing script for PC image viewing ( not finished!): https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B4YXWiqYWB99TTlBdHI2TFRQS2M The Teensy microcontroller: https://www.pjrc.com/store/teensylc.html

Learn how magneto-optical storage discs work, and see how a focused laser can directly alter a material's optical characteristics. Support Applied Science: https://www.patreon.com/AppliedScience Background sources: http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/download;jsessionid=E5B999706AB03703B56466094A7B079B?doi=10.1.1.84.4693&rep=rep1&type=pdf https://books.google.com/books?id=RVqeAGKkesEC&pg=PA387&lpg=PA387&dq=cesb+kerr+rotation+euse+euo&source=bl&ots=_vemqlKPhl&sig=dbloCjnRF6qkDY0eMIR94TpTeTk&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0CCUQ6AEwAWoVChMIw8H2l7idxwIVhqWICh3Y-gov#v=onepage&q=cesb%20kerr%20rotation%20euse%20euo&f=false https://books.google.com/books?id=U57RpAaMKgAC&pg=SA2-PA26&lpg=SA2-PA26&dq=magneto+optical+disc+kerr+gauss+constant&source=bl&ots=l-iqbQtogI&sig=nPqEWFlWYilHKmzo81Sva5LB3Lo&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0CEAQ6AEwBWoVChMIh8vX_YudxwIVyT6ICh06-g3R#v=onepage&q=magneto%20optical%20disc%20kerr%20gauss%20constant&f=false https://books.google.com/books?id=e4ntCAAAQBAJ&pg=PA586&lpg=PA586&dq=kerr+rotation+magneto+optical+storage+layer&source=bl&ots=5zOkDcsIyq&sig=-HBUsD5P4s9954jTEbh-syMTLjc&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0CDoQ6AEwBWoVChMImLrd2ZadxwIVVymICh1yXAIL#v=onepage&q=kerr%20rotation%20magneto%20optical%20storage%20layer&f=false http://www.study-on-line.co.uk/whoami/thesis/chap2.html

See how olive oil and magnets can control the brightness of light via the Faraday effect. Get your iron-on Applied Science logo here: https://www.patreon.com/AppliedScience Measure Verdet constant of olive oil: http://www.sestindia.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/Volume-2Number-3PP-362-368.pdf Plastic film polarizers: http://www.apioptics.com/linear-polarizers-spec.html Faraday effect: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Faraday_effect

This liquid nitrogen generator uses a Stirling-cycle cryocooler that was pulled from a cellular phone tower. It was used to cool a superconducting RF filter that aids cell communications. The cryocooler is able to pump enough heat away from its cold end that air will liquify and drip into a vacuum flask for storage. Jeri's video at Maker Faire 2010: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=14B8LynojI4 Blog post with more construction details: http://benkrasnow.blogspot.com/2008/08/diy-liquid-nitrogen-generator.html

Check out the iron-on Applied Science logos and support the channel: https://www.patreon.com/AppliedScience High-res CD, DVD, Blu-ray image: http://benkrasnow.blogspot.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/BenKrasnow Digital angle gauge: http://www.amazon.com/Wixey-WR300-Digital-Angle-Gauge/dp/B001PTGBRQ Pipe thread sealants: http://www.mcmaster.com/#pipe-thread-sealants/=xu9uy5 NPT vs NPTF: http://www.cutting-tool-supply.com/TechTips/Tapping/NPTvsNPTF/NPTVsNPTF.htm Surebonder hot glue gun: http://www.amazon.com/Surebonder-PRO2-100-100-Watt-Temperature-Industrial/dp/B006IY359K/ Black hot glue: www.amazon.com/190mm-Length-Soldering-Black-Sticks/dp/B00OKDWWFY/ Magnetic viewer film - http://www.amazon.com/CMS-Magnetics%C2%AE-Green-Magnetic-Viewing/dp/B000UV6ZPS/ Electrical outlet tester: www.amazon.com/Sperry-Instruments-GFI6302-Outlet-Tester/dp/B000RUL2UU/ Tube cutter shears: http://www.mcmaster.com/#3095a16/=xu9sg0 Switch contact burnisher: http://pinballmagic.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=86 Pin vise for drill chuck: http://www.mcmaster.com/#30505a5/=xu9rna Gray lab coat: http://www.justlabcoats.com/ProductShopping.aspx?scode=RE-KT30CH

I describe how I made a stop motion animation of a phonograph needle in an LP groove using an electron microscope. I also show electron micrographs of other recording media. Support Applied Science: https://www.patreon.com/AppliedScience

I explain how a jet of air can float a common screwdriver. Plans to make your own fluid turbulence disc: http://makezine.com/projects/rheoscopic-coffee-table/ Support more Applied Science videos: https://www.patreon.com/AppliedScience Nighthawkinlight's video about floating screwdrivers: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fceUcRfbCcQ

Support Applied Science on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/AppliedScience As a follow-up to my previous video on bending wood, I show how ammonia can shrink paper money. The money is dipped into liquid anhydrous ammonia, then dried, and the process is repeated about a dozen times. As the money dries, it shrinks due to the surface tension of the boiling/evaporating ammonia. Video on bending wood: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Z0SsAyHKzc Making aerogel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X24np30GS2o

Bending wood with ammonia is not really DIY, but I show the process, which is extremely effective. There is also a commercial product that is pre-treated flexible wood, which hardens after being clamped in the desired shape. http://boingboing.net/2011/05/06/inventables.html Hmm, it seems the product may no longer be available -- I can't find it at Inventables. https://www.inventables.com Pre-treated flexible wood product patent: https://www.google.com/patents/US5360631

I have a few upcoming projects that require anhydrous ammonia. In this video, I show how to distill it from "ammonia water" similar to common glass cleaner. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Birch_reduction http://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/ammonia-pressure-temperature-d_361.html

This is a neat little demo that shows how permanent magnets can be used to create propulsion along a conductive copper track

Digital Light Processing projectors use a chip that is covered with tiny mirrors that tilt back and forth. When the mirror is tilted one way, it reflects light out through the front of the projector, creating a bright pixel. When the mirror is tilted the other way, the pixel is dark. In this video, I explain how DLP works and show a macro-scale model. Support Applied Science: https://www.patreon.com/AppliedScience Link to mikeselectricstuff http://www.youtube.com/user/mikeselectricstuff

The VirtualBench is an all-in-one piece of electronic test gear that combines an oscilloscope, logic analyzer, function generator, DMM, triple output programmable power supply, and an 8-channel digital I/O bus. It can be controlled with a dedicated NI app, or programmatically controlled with LabView or C. I show the device's usage and duggest which situations may benefit from using this device.

The surface tension of water and the evaporation of ethanol produce an interesting effect in a wineglass known as "tears" or "legs". The process is caused by the Marangoni effect, which explains how toy soap boats work among other interesting things.

I present some of my favorite tools and techniques from the workshop. https://www.patreon.com/AppliedScience - Support Applied Science Cable tie gun - www.mcmaster.com 5401T11 Devcon plastic welder - http://www.amazon.com/Devcon-22045-Plastic-Welder-Dev-Tube/dp/B003NUGL9S/ E6000 adhesive - http://www.amazon.com/E6000%C2%AE-Craft-Adhesive-3-7-oz/dp/B007TSYNG8 3M DP-8005 - www.mcmaster.com 7467A32 Ikea lamp - http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/20169658/ Well nuts - www.mcmaster.com 93495A130 Irwin tap wrench sockets - http://www.amazon.com/Hanson-3095001-2-Piece-Adjustable-Socket/dp/B000TGM7HY/ Double-sided tape - http://www.findtape.com/product190/Permacel-P-02-Double-Coated-Kraft-Paper-Tape.aspx Gaffers tape - http://www.findtape.com/category/gaffers-tape-rolls-of-industrial-gaffer-tape.aspx Drill bits for plastic - http://www.mcmaster.com/#plastic-cutting-drill-bits/=vtpc4m

https://www.patreon.com/AppliedScience ---- Donate here! I built a tiny radio into a ballpoint pen that allows the user to hear audio by casually biting the pen.

A horn-shaped speaker is louder than an equivalent speaker without the horn. This fact doesn't violate physics because the horn is acting as a matching device between the speaker and the air around it. Photo Credit for phonograph: Norman Bruderhofer, Collection of John Lampert-Hopkins

I modified a standard hot glue gun to dispense molten semi-sweet chocolate. This is great for decorations and gingerbread houses.

In my video on the Crookes Radiometer, I showed that the devices spin because of a thermal gas effect -- not the force of photons hitting the vanes. In the comments section, someone asked about kinetic energy and how incoming photons impart force to the rotor. This video is a more complete answer to that question.

A burning strip of carefully cut flash paper can encode information, which is then read by an optical sensor. I'd like to determine if it's possible to perform computations with nothing but flash paper -- using the shape of the paper as data and program, and the flame as the readout. Hamamatsu S7815 photodiode -- might be discontinued: https://www.google.com/#q=hamamatsu+s7815 Harvard Infofuse project: http://scienceblogs.com/notrocketscience/2009/05/26/the-infofuse-encoding-messages-using-colourful-fire/ http://gmwgroup.harvard.edu/research/index.php?page=17 http://dash.harvard.edu/bitstream/handle/1/12967828/84853636.pdf?sequence=1 Source for flash paper and flash cotton: http://www.dreamlandmagic.com/flash-paper.html Subscribe to my channel here: https://www.youtube.com/user/bkraz333

I experiment with zinc oxide in a vacuum chamber, and answer your questions from the previous video. If this format is successful, I'll do another Q/A session in the future.

Submit your questions for Ben in the comments section for a Q and A session next week. Heating zinc oxide with a blow torch causes it to turn from a white powder into a golden yellow. The process reverses when the substance cools back down to room temperature. The heat drives out some oxygen from the ZnO lattice, cause some locations to have a Zinc metal ion. This disruption in the lattice is able to absorb more blue and violet light, causing the overall substance to look yellow.

A Crookes radiometer is driven by a thermal gas effect, and not "light pressure" as often thought. I demonstrate the radiometer in a vacuum chamber and explain its optimal running pressure. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crookes_radiometer

Demonstration of a New Method catalytic cigarette lighter: The device uses a platinum catalyst to generate heat from methanol vapors, which in turn ignites the vapor.

Demonstration of how tire sealant works and how it can damage tire pressure sensors. SP100 pressure sensor: http://www.sensonor.com/media/30315/sp100-15%20datasheet.pdf Toyota uses SP311 TPMS sensors too: http://www.eetimes.com/document.asp?doc_id=1281220

I describe how ignition timing and air/fuel mixture affect car engine power, emissions, and driveability.

I transfer high pressure ethylene gas from a rental cylinder to another cylinder that I own. I use a cooling water bath to condense the ethylene and transfer as much mass as possible.

I describe how some materials can change temperature when a magnetic field is applied to them. 6:03 - update on ruby laser https://www.kjmagnetics.com/gap.calculator.asp http://www.sigmaaldrich.com/technical-documents/articles/material-matters/advanced-materials.html https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WlKKKMTA7XM http://www.reddit.com/r/AppliedScienceChannel/ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnetic_refrigeration

I demonstrate the process of cryogenically freezing rubber, then CNC milling it into a custom shape. This avoids the need to injection mold or cast rubber parts.

T-shirt: http://www.teespring.com/AppliedScience 11:10 - Skip directly to seeing the collected images I show how I collect digital electron microscope images with my Tek MDO3000 oscilloscope.

Learn the science behind the buzzwords surrounding saturated, unsaturated, omega-3 and trans fats, and see a demonstration of hydrogenation.

I liquified a small amount of laughing gas (nitrous oxide) and put a burning piece of wood in it to see the result. The heat from the flame causes the nitrous oxide to decompose into nitrogen and oxygen, which supports combustion more vigorously than air.

I describe why glass fails, and how to improve its apparent strength via a simple chemical treatment. This process is used to create Gorilla Glass.

I bought a -100*C refrigerated cold trap from a surplus sale, which was not operational. In this video, I describe how the unit works after recharging its second stage with R1150 (ethylene) refrigerant. Savant RVT4104 - (manual) http://phoenix.tuwien.ac.at/chemistry/Gebrauchsanweisungen/SAVANT%20Vapor%20Trap.pdf

Upvote here: http://www.reddit.com/r/AppliedScienceChannel/ Feel free to submit your own ideas!

I show a basic electropolishing technique that requires no special equipment and has proven to work well on aluminum (aluminium).

I show how to convert an area measurement problem into a mass measurement problem that is easier to solve. In general, this idea of converting measurement problems into different spaces is very powerful, and may prove useful in the future.

I built a microbalance based on a design by Paul Grohe: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n90whRO-ypE It is has a precision of about 5 micrograms, and I measured a single eyelash at about 35 micrograms. The balance is built from an analog panel meter that is controlled by a servo loop which optically monitors the meter's position. Adding mass to the meter's needle requires that the servo loop add more current to maintain the needle's position. This additional current is read, and converted to a mass value.

I'm using my new Tek oscilloscope to collect data from a DIY spectrometer. The scope is in X-Y mode with infinite persistence. The X axis is controlled by the rotational position of the diffraction grating in the spectrometer, and the Y axis is controlled by the photomultiplier tube, which is detecting the spectra. In this video, I discuss the scope setup, and in future videos, I will talk more about the spectrometer, and how to use it.

I setup my new oscilloscope to measure a car's engine speed by connecting to the cigarette lighter. The inductive kicks from the ignition coil provide a timing signal that can be used to calculate RPM. In this particular car (a DeLorean), the engine fires unevenly by design, so the inductive kicks are not all regularly spaced. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/V6_engine http://ranwhenparked.net/2010/09/14/what-lies-beneath-the-controversial-prv-engine-part-3/

I'd like to send this diffusion pump to someone who can make good use of it. If you are interested, please send me an email (500 words or less), or post a video (2 minutes of less) explaining what interests you about high vacuum, and what you plan to do with the pump. I'm especially interested in folks who regularly blog or make videos about their work. The contest will end on May 31 2014. The order in which I receive the submissions is not important. I may not respond to all submissions, and my decision will be final. You will assume all liabilities and risks involved with using this equipment. Once I send it to you, you will own it completely. [email protected]

This is a usage counter that works by moving mercury in a capillary tube via electrochemistry. As electricity flows through the device, mercury atoms are transferred across an electrolyte gap in the capillary. The position of the gap changes as mercury is transferred, and shows how much total charge has been passed through the device. I realize that the divider network looks more like 20:1. This might kill my theory that the mercury ions are in the 2+ state. I'm really not sure.

I built a trigger circuit for very large xenon flash tubes, which will be used in my ruby laser project.

I describe electron beam optics and deflection as they are employed in scanning electron microscopy. http://web.jfet.org/vclk/ - Deflection amplifier http://www.johngineer.com/blog/?p=648 - CRT Christmas tree http://www.fei.com/ - FEI Company

I talk about the technique of varying the pressure in a fryer to change how it cooks food. Lower temperatures and pressures allow the food to be dried, and infused with oil without scorching or browning it. Higher temperatures and pressures keep the interior of the food moist while darkening the exterior. Fruits and vegetables are generally more appealing when vacuum fried, and chicken is arguably better when pressure fried.

I bought a couple mass flow controllers from eBay to improve the process control of my sputtering chamber. These MFCs are much better suited than a needle valve and rotameter (manual flowmeter).

I thought it would be cool to have a colored soap bubble that responded to changes in pH. I concentrated some phenol red (pH indicator), and mixed it with commercial bubble solution. Unfortunately, it was not dense enough to actually show its color. While investigating this, I noticed that normal soap bubbles lose their color as they become thinner (due to evaporation) and eventually burst. I tried to get footage of this color loss, but the bubble will not stay in the same place! I started to develop a method to partially fill the bubble with helium to make it neutrally buoyant.

I teardown a commercial, handheld breathalyzer and discuss how it works, then test a standalone ethanol sensor. http://www.seeedstudio.com/depot/images/product/MQ303A.pdf http://www.kosmodrom.com.ua/pdf/MQ303A.pdf http://www.sparkfun.com/products/8880 http://www-personal.umich.edu/~mswool/publications/Gas_Sensors_preprints.pd.pdf

Alien technology? No! A thin coating of titanium dioxide on your windows will use the UV in sunlight to burn away dirt and wash itself clean with rainwater.

This machine allows me to mix a single cookie and vary the recipe for each cookie on the sheet. Hence, I can test many different recipe variations with one batch of ingredients in one afternoon. The butter is dispensed in solid form at room temperature from the metal syringe. The eggs (yellow) are in the glass syringe. Music: Cool Vibes - Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

I describe the basics of ruby laser design. I'm building a laser with about 8KJ of electrical pump energy. http://www.susiebeesley.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/PKIlampbrochure.pdf http://www.perkinelmer.de/PDFS/downloads/dts_applicationnotehighperformanceflash_final071004.pdf http://www.fenixtechnology.com/fenixcalc.html http://www.i-fiberoptics.com/

I describe a few more details about the sputter process that I have used to make ITO coatings.

I describe how to use plasma to create very clean surfaces on microscope slides. This process is used extensively in the semiconductor industry.

I've finished my first custom DIY LCD, and describe the process in this video.

I've been exploring technology made possible by having clear, patterned electrodes on glass, and succeeded in making a working (barely) LCD. In this video, I explain types of liquid crystal molecules, and how they can be used to make an efficient display.

I wanted to test the idea of using the tongue to control a computer. The most obvious way would be to map x/y coordinates in a Windows-style UI with tongue movements constrained to a plane. This doesn't work terribly well, as even though the tongue has fine motor control, it's very difficult to smoothy achieve the 2D movements needed to operate a system that has been developed around a classic mouse. I think there is possible applications for swipe interfaces, carousel menus, yes/no input, etc.

I show how the photoresist "lift-off" method works to pattern thin films as they are deposited. In this case, I patterned aluminum on a microscope slide.

I quickly built a game controller to test the idea of generated game inputs from the player's posture (shift in center-of-gravity). This controller is built from a digital bathroom scale and an XBox 360 controller. I used an opamp to convert the bathroom scale's sensor input to a thumbstick input. I also added a mouse to capture yaw.

I have finally been successful in creating a conductive, clear layer of indium-tin oxide on a microscope slide. In this video, I show the process and explain how sputtering works.

I'm making flexible printed circuits with my vacuum deposition machine. In this video, I show my first successful active circuit built with copper deposited onto laser printer transparency sheets. My ultimate goal is to make thin film transistors and OLEDs that are deposited onto the substrate.

I try to bridge the gap between in-depth theoretical explanations of heat treatment, and rote tradition.

I take apart a Detectron DG-2 geiger counter, and discover the circuit still works after 60 years!

I take apart an electromechanical power meter and describe how it uses magnetic fields to measure power consumed. The voltage coil's numerous turns of wire already provide some phase shift -- the copper ring adds additional shift to bring the total up to 90 degrees.

I built another supercritical CO2 chamber for extraction and drying. This time, I wanted a chamber that was easier to open and close, and could be expanded to larger volumes with the same closure system. The chamber is built from 2" OD .25" wall stainless steel, and I welded a plug into one end and a ring with O-ring gland onto the other.

I describe how an oscillating quartz crystal can be used to monitor the thickness of deposited coating in a vacuum chamber.

I built a small extraction chamber for processing materials with supercritical CO2. Please refer to my previous videos for more information about supercritical co2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-gCTKteN5Y4 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TvmM6qa2a90 PDF discussing vanilla extraction with SC CO2: http://www.redalyc.org/pdf/482/48221175004.pdf

I've put enough work into my thermal evaporator project so that I can actually start using it to create thin films. For my first test, I made some aluminum mirrors on glass, and also coated glass with ITO (Indium Tin Oxide), a transparent conductor used in LCDs and OLEDs. The mirrors look nice, but the ITO was not conductive -- more research required.

In this video, I show my setup for taking focus-stacked images with microscope objectives. I use a Lumix GH1, which is a micro 4/3 format camera, and a custom adapter that lets me interface the camera to a microscope body or directly to a microscope objective. Video-rate focus stacking with a liquid lens: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xOyXdnJOHCY CombineZM software for focus stacking: http://hadleyweb.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/CZM/News.htm Using Photoshop for focus stacking: http://photo.tutsplus.com/articles/post-processing-articles/focus-stacking-made-easy-with-photoshop/

I needed to polish two acrylic lenses that were made on a CNC lathe to the best possible finish (hopefully, optical quality). I made some test coupons and tried three different polishing techniques on three different surfaces to see which combination of techniques would yield the best results. The winner was clearly 2000 grit sandpaper followed by Novus No.2 polish. Vapor polishing: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bduno3eafcc

I've always wanted to create a decorative glass effect known as "glue chipping", and finally got to try it this weekend. My results were OK for a first attempt, and I now know what will work for me when I plan to make a real piece. Some professional work that inspired me: http://www.handletteringforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=2081&p=7702

I machined a few custom aluminum adapters for KF/NW vacuum fittings on the lathe this weekend. Next time, I hope to have electrical feedthroughs and should be ready to start depositing material!

I describe how thermocouple vacuum gauges work, and take apart a vintage example of such a system.

I discuss the basics of selecting the right cutter for the job, choosing feeds and speeds, and general setup and planning of CNC milling machine cuts.

I'm building a physical vapor deposition rig, which will be an interesting tool for creating optical coatings, SEM sample preparation, and maybe even thin film transistors. So far, I only have the pump and Penning gauge connected to the chamber. Soon, I'll have high-current and high-voltage ports in the base plate for controlling the deposition process. http://www.allorings.com/gland_static_axial.htm

I built a water circulator that can supply heated or chilled water to various other shop projects. Eurotherm 2132 with platinum RTD (eBay) CPC quick-disconnect hose fittings (eg McMaster 5012K79)

I've been working on a Raman spectroscopy setup in my shop for a while, and was finally able to collect some real, verifiable data this evening. Raman Spectroscopy is a technique where light is directed toward a target, and the reflected light is color-shifted by the size and type of the molecular bonds in the target. This is a non-destructive way to determine an object's molecular structure. The problem is that the color-shifted light is many, many times weaker than the non-color-shifted light. A Raman spectroscopy setup compensates for this, and allows meaningful data to be collected.

Youtube channel trailer

More progress on my cookie-making machine. It's now dispensing flour, eggs, vanilla extract, salt, and white sugar accurately.

I've got most of the subsystems on my cookie machine working so that I can dispense desired quantities of one ingredient (sugar). I'm using a UI developed using processing.org, which sends serial commands to a Parallax Propeller microcontroller.

Here's an update regarding my cookie machine project.

I've always liked these bubble tube lamps that used to be built into Christmas tree ornaments, and were also featured in classic jukeboxes. I decided to make one in my own shop and here I explain how they work and how I built one.

This video is a response to Grant Thompson's water bottle challenge. Check out Grant Thompson "The King of Random" http://www.thekingofrandom.com You don't need much special equipment to blow mold plastic bottles in a home shop. If I had more time, I would have made a custom wooden form on the lathe, then made a two-part plastic mold around it, and blow molded the bottle into the plaster mold.

Two of my cleaner laps at Sears Point. My team, Back to the Crapper (#82) placed fifth in our class, and 30th overall out of 180 cars. This is only my third race, and I have a lot to learn about driving.

I am building a machine that will dispense and mix ingredients to make a single cookie. The benefit is that each cookie on the sheet can have its own recipe, and the baker can sample all of the cookies to better understand how ingredient variations will affect taste and texture. In this video, I talk about the butter dispenser. The folks at Meta Mate gave me the idea for customer-rating via QR code. http://www.metamate.cc/

For an upcoming project, I'd like to develop a dispensing system that can measure out a desired mass of material. The idea would be to use a microcontroller, dispensing valve, and electronic balance to provide feedback. I already have an American Weigh Scales miniPro-100, and decided to hack it so that my microcontroller can discover how much mass is on the balance. It can then regulate the dispensing valve appropriately. The balance contains a Cirrus CS5530 24-bit ADC. I tapped the clock and data lines and found bursts of data that occurred at 7.5Hz. The clock is about 150KHz. I used a Parallax Propeller running assembly in one of its cores to capture the data stream and load it into my main program.

My high-vacuum Penning gauge has been having some problems lately. The last time that I "fixed" it, I used lead solder to create a crushable metal seal between the parts of the gauge body. Eventually the rosin leaked out and probably caused contamination within the gauge. I bought some Indium wire on eBay to replace the metal seals after cleaning the gauge with a bead blaster, sandpaper on glass, and lots of alcohol swabs. Proper explanation of Penning Gauges: http://www.thinksrs.com/downloads/PDFs/ApplicationNotes/IG1hotapp.pdf

I used microscope objective lenses coupled to my Lumix GH1 camera to get these shots. The crystal growth is surprisingly fast. Most of these clips are essentially 1 frame per 8 seconds, so at 30fps playback, 1/240 realtime.

I used my programmable turntable and camera control to create a timelapse video of crystal growth on a small novelty toy. I took one photo (1920x1080) every two minutes, and advanced the turntable by about 3/4 of a degree between photos. I encoded the photos into a 29.97fps timeline in Adobe Premiere, but used two video frames for each photo, so 1 second of playback = 15 photos = 30 minutes. I covered the windows in my shop with black plastic to prevent sunlight from changing the scene as morning arrived. Each exposure was 1/10 at ISO100 f/8, with standard fluorescent lighting in my shop.

I built a CT scanner from an x-ray tube that I bought on eBay, a stepper motor, a large ring bearing, and an Arduino. I used a phosphor screen and my camera to capture x-ray shadow images of a frozen chicken, while the Arduino and stepper motor rotated the chicken by 8 degrees between shots. The resulting 45 images were combined via filtered back projection to create a 3D volume reconstruction of the chicken. Software used: Panasonic SilkyPix (for .RW2 development) Adobe Bridge/Photoshop for image perspective correction Cygwin/Octave for filtered backprojection Cone Beam Computed Tomography algorithm http://www.mathworks.com/matlabcentral/fileexchange/35548-3d-cone-beam-ct-cbct-projection-backprojection-fdk-mlem-reconstruction-codes-for-matlab-students 3D Slicer for visualization and volume rendering http://www.slicer.org/ Axial image stack: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B4YXWiqYWB99Z3pTRUE5WDZrdVU/

I built a system to synchronize the two color wheel motors in a Wurlitzer Model 1015 jukebox. Originally, the jukebox used two synchronous clock motors, and the designers assumed that the motors would stay synchronous and keep the colors wheels at the same orientation after manually setting it. As it turns out, the torque required to spin the color wheels is enough to cause the motors to slip. Eventually, the color wheels get out of sync, and the left and right side of the jukebox do not match in color. My upgraded system uses two small DC gearmotors that interface with the original drive mechanics via a nylon gear from McMaster. I drive the two motors via a PN2222A transistor and sense the position of the color wheels with the optical sensors from an old computer mouse. An arduino controls the motors via PWM (20 or 30 KHz), and runs a phase-locked-loop routine with P-I control. This system could use a little tuning, but it's pretty close.

I'll be presenting this work at EHSM: http://ehsm.eu/ I built an X-ray backscatter imaging system from parts found on eBay. This system works by scanning a very thin beam of X-rays across the target, and measuring the amount of backscatter for a given beam position. The beam is scanned mechanically by a rotating chopper (collimator) wheel, and by tilting the rotating wheel on an orthogonal axis. The output image is generated on an oscilloscope by matching the horizontal scan speed to the rotating wheel, and using a potentiometer to measure the vertical axis position. The scope's brightness (z axis) is controlled by the amount of backscatter signal received by a large-area detector. Thus, the image is constructed bit by bit. I used a long-exposure shutter on my camera to see the image formed by the moving oscilloscope trace. http://www.google.com/patents/US5181234

It seems strange that a single piece of glass can compute the Fourier transform of an image, but it is true (sort of). I explore an optical arrangement known as a 4F correlator, and note the practical considerations that are rarely discussed in existing sources. http://www.imagemagick.org/Usage/fourier/

I built a large area detector that is sensitive to X-rays and will be used in an upcoming project. The detector is constructed from a "Lanex Regular" X-ray intensifying screen, and a Hamamatsu R6094 photomultiplier tube (PMT). The PMT amplifies the light from the intensifying screen which is emitted when an X-ray strikes the screen. The area of the screen allows it to catch many X-ray photons created by backscatter. The PMT is setup with a simple 100K resistor between the anode and ground. A 1V output corresponds to a 1 microamp anode current. I'll probably add a very simple opamp circuit to this, and then pipe it into an A/D converted for digitization.

I bought a set of x-ray equipment on eBay, which included an x-ray head unit, 50KV supply, and filament power supply. The filament supply has a 25-pin connector, and no data or markings on the case or board. I spent some time reverse-engineering the circuit, and determined how it should be connected to make an emission-controlled x-ray system. I tested the whole thing, and it appears to be working as intended at 50KV / 1 mA. The head unit produces a beam of about 25 degrees total angle.

I've made a series of wooden vases and similar items by laminating contrasting boards, then turning them on the lathe. I like to use walnut, maple and either bloodwood or padauk to create a white/black/red theme. I almost never use stains, instead I just finish the wood with clear wipe-on polyurethane, using two coats for a fairly matte finish.

I wired up a high-power photography strobe light to my oscilloscope and made some measurements of the input voltage, current and light output.

I built a small rocket engine for demonstration purposes. The engine is built from a 2" diameter acrylic rod through which I drilled a 0.5" hole. The oxygen at 80 psi or less is passed through the hole and then is forced through a convergent-divergent nozzle at the tail end. The nozzle's throat is about 0.25" and expands to 0.625". I lit the engine by inserting a burning cotton swab (with wooden stick) while a small amount of oxygen was flowing. The acrylic catches fire very easily in a pure oxygen environment. The engine can be throttled and shut off completely, which is a major benefit to hybrid engine designs. Solid-fuel rockets cannot be throttled or shut off, which makes them difficult to control.

I used my DIY scanning electron microscope to view a 555 timer circuit while it was powered. The circuit is a simple oscillator with a very long time constant to make the changes easy to see. My plan was to view the silicon die itself, and hopefully discern changes in its internal circuitry as the oscillations occurred. As it turns out, I was only able to "see" the charge of the electrical wires going to the chip socket. There is likely a clear oxide layer that covers the silicon die, and needs to be removed with hydrofluoric acid in order to use the SEM to inspect the die itself while powered.

I found an X-ray tube on eBay and fired it up with my Spellman high voltage supply. I ran the tube at about 35-40KV at 180uA. This required a filament current of about 1.5A at 2.5V DC. With the room very dark, I could clearly see the phosphorescent screen glowing green. It wasn't bright enough for my eye to discern details in the X-ray images, but the camera with a 4 second exposure at f/5.6 and ISO400 was perfect. I took some pictures of various electronic components. I also X-rayed a dead, dried-up bumble bee, and it produced no image at all! The X-rays completely penetrated the insect without any visible absorption. I should have turned down the anode voltage, but I didn't think of this until after I threw away the bee. The tube is a Nago GFH2-0.3-85-60 Link to still images: http://benkrasnow.blogspot.com/2012/09/first-test-with-ebay-x-ray-tube.html

This video shows my entry into the world of high-intensity flash tubes. I was inspired by the work done by the famous Doc Edgerton who built a strobe system for nighttime aerial photography. I've heard the biggest system he built was somewhere between 50 and 75 KJ per flash -- the power needed to illuminate the ground from 1000 feet in the air! The system in this video is a Speedotron 4803, which delivers up to 4800J per flash. Photographers use the units watt-seconds (Ws) to describe the energy in each flash, which are the same as Joules. I plan to add capacitance to the bank in order to increase the total discharge power, but the voltage may also need to be adjusted since the higher power flashes also tend to require higher voltages. I'm also planning to try different xenon flash tubes, which are capable of more intense flashes.

I thought it would be interesting to try decapping some chips. This involves using fuming nitric acid, which also seemed fun, so I thought I would give it a go. The process starts by milling a precise pocket into the IC using my CNC machine. I used carbide tooling to cut the glass fiber/epoxy material. I then put a drop or two of the acid into the pocket, and raised the temperature to about 100*C. The acid dissolves the epoxy packaging as it sort of "dries". I added more acid to the pocket every few minutes. After about 10 minutes, I washed the IC in acetone, then reapplied acid if there was still material left on the die. Eventually, it was all cleared away, and I had a nice decapped IC.

Some people were curious about what my shop looks like, so here is a video tour. It seems that I was really rambling, since this video turned out much longer than expected.

I made a puree of maraschino cherries and added 2.5g of calcium lactate gluconate. I then dripped this mixture into a solution of 2.5g of sodium alginate in 500g of water. A gelatinous skin is formed at the interface between the two liquids, forming spheres of cherry puree. This process is known as reverse spherification. I bought the chemicals here: http://www.amazon.com/Experimental-Kit-Artistre-600-grams/dp/B0045KOOXU

A few years ago, a research group posted a video showing that X-rays could be created by unrolling scotch tape in a vacuum. The idea is that the static charge generated by the mechanical unrolling process would cause electrons to accelerate to 50KV (or so), and then produce x-rays when they slam into something. I tried to recreate this experiment, but I had pretty weak results. I may need a much larger vacuum pump to keep the pressure in the chamber very low while unrolling.

In this follow-up video, I show that I was able to get a P47 phosphor disc to illuminate when unrolling tape in the vacuum chamber. The blue x-ray intensifier screen did not illuminate although it was also in the chamber. Also, it seems the P47 was illuminated through a thin copper foil, though I will have to do some more tests to believe this.

I forced an RCA 811A tube to produce some X-rays by operating the tube in cold-cathode mode at about 20KV and 150uA. The glass fluoresces nicely, but I didn't get any light from my X-ray intensifier cassette. MightyOhm's geiger counter kit: http://mightyohm.com/blog/products/geiger-counter/

I took apart my microwave oven and measured the voltage and current supplied to the magnetron. The device appears to start conducting current at 4KV, and will allow lots of current to flow once this threshold voltage is reached. My current probe is pretty cheapo, so I wouldn't trust its measurement too much, but the final determination of 1300 W average seems pretty spot-on.

I recently bought some Fluorinert FC-40 on eBay since it is such an intriguing chemical. This fluid is 1.8 times as dense as water, but has almost the same viscosity. It is also very inert, has a boiling point of 160*C, is immiscible with water, and has exceptionally low electrical conductivity. The fluid can dissolve large amounts of gas and was shown in the movie The Abyss where it allowed a rat (and later a human via special effects!) to breath the oxygenated fluid, by submerging the rat in a container of Fluorinert and having the rat take the fluid into its lungs. I decided to fry a potato chip in the fluid to see if I could make a truly fat-free deep-fried chip. The experiment worked very well, however I am not convinced that eating the product would be a good idea. Your thoughts?

I built a liquid level controller that senses the level of water in my aquarium and powers a water pump when necessary to compensate for evaporated water. This is known as an "automatic top-off" system. The controller is based around a Keyence FS-V11, which sends light out a plastic fiberoptic, and measures the amount received via another fiberoptic. The optical probe makes use of total internal reflection to control how much light is returned to the Keyence based on how far the probe is immersed in the water. It is also completely passive, non-metallic, and has no moving parts for high reliability. The Keyence triggers a solid state relay that supplies power to a standard AC outlet. The pump is then plugged into the outlet, and moves water from a reservoir into the aquarium on command.

Chris Agerton (http://www.youtube.com/user/cagerton) suggested that I try adding nitrous oxide bubbles to an avocado -- a wonderful idea since avocados are fatty, and the gas should readily dissolve in the fat. I placed some avocado slices in my pressure chamber and dispensed two nitrous cartridges into the chamber. I let it sit for about 7 hours. I then took the slices out, and reduced the pressure with a vacuum pump. Unfortunately, the avocado was resistant to the nitrous infusion process. I will try again with guacamole and shaking/stirring to encourage gas absorption.

I made some whipped chocolate by melting standard semi-sweet morsels, and applying nitrous oxide at 250 psi. I then dispensed the melted, gassified chocolate into a chilled vacuum chamber, then applied a vacuum to create large bubbles within the chocolate. I maintained the vacuum level while the chocolate solidified with the bubbles still intact. This process yields a dessert that is very low-density, and has a very pleasant airy texture.

A cloud chamber shows alpha particles being emitted from americium sources. The chamber works by creating a layer of supersaturated alcohol vapor which visualize the radation. The alpha particles trigger condensation in trails through the vapor cloud and show up as tiny droplet tracks. In this chamber, I have two alcohol-soaked pads above an aluminum plate that is cooled by dry ice. The pads emit alcohol vapor, which is cooled by the air above the aluminum plate to the point where it is colder than would normally by necessary to condense. The tiny radioactive particle pushes it over the edge to cause condensation, which is visible droplets.

Some photos here: http://benkrasnow.blogspot.com/2012/04/dissolving-lithium-in-anhydrous-ammonia.html Here's an interesting reaction where lithium metal is dissolved in anhydrous ammonia. I placed a couple small pieces of lithium in a test tube, then connected the tube to a larger flask of ammonium hydroxide via silicone tubing. Upon heating the flask, gaseous ammonia will be produced which is condensed in the test tube by cooling it with a bath of alcohol and dry ice. The resulting solution is brilliant bronze in color, but at lower lithium concentrations, the solution is deep blue -- a very beautiful reaction.

I found some interesting materials at a local fleamarket (http://www.electronicsfleamarket.com): a canister of lithium sheet metal, and a bottle of fine zirconium powder (325 mesh). The zirconium is stored under water since the dry power can self-ignite, or may be ignited by static electricity or shock. Confusingly, the MSDS sheets say that dry zirconium powder must not be allowed near water, but if it is to be stored, it must be completely submerged in water. I carefully dried a very small amount, and sprinkled it over a flame. If you know of something interesting to do with these chemicals, please let me know.

Here I show how I made gassified candy (eg Pop Rocks) in my home shop. The basic procedure is to heat sugar water up to 280*F, carbonate it with 600 psi CO2 and vigorous mixing, then cool the mixture while it is still under pressure. After the mixture has solidified, rapid depressurization causes the candy to burst apart into small fragments. Each fragment has lots of tiny CO2 bubbles embedded in it. When placed on the tongue, the bubbles burst open as the candy dissolves and a popping sensation is felt. The main difficulty is building a high-pressure chamber that allows precise temperature control as well as thorough mixing of its contents while under pressure. I've built something that meets these requirements, and I've finally made a batch of candy that would pass as Pop Rocks, but they are pretty weak. I still need to adjust the temperature and mixing times to get a better product. Link to recipe: http://www.exploratorium.edu/cooking/candy/recipe-lollipops.html

A brand-new power strip emitted a loud pop and left a soot mark on my friend's hand when he plugged it into the wall. No devices were attached to the power strip. I decided to take the thing apart to see what failed. The circuit breaker in the household electrical system did NOT trip during this event. My guess is that a very fine piece of wire bridged the neutral and hot terminals on the switch. When power was applied, the whisker vaporized.

A liquid lens works by changing the shape of a water drop by creating an electrostatic field that pulls on the water molecules. I show how water can be affected by a high voltage supply and an electrostatically charged comb. The process by which the droplet changes shape is known as electrowetting.

I combined the High Intensity Discharge bulb and power supply from an old LCD with a desk lamp to create a 270W spotlight. I bypassed the power supply's interlocks and shorted an optocoupler to cause the power supply to always turn the lamp on when AC power is applied. I used an inline power switch to control the device. The desk lamp's existing wiring is able to withstand the high starting voltage of the HID lamp (probably a few KV). Once the arc strikes, the voltage is much lower and the current much higher.

I built an improved cold trap from an aluminum pan and a stainless steel bowl. It held more ice than my original copper pipe cold trap, but the 100ml of water from the gelatin still managed to almost plug up the trap.

These bakers' yeast cells might be reproducing in the video. It's hard to tell if its just movement from the water under the cover slip More photomicography: http://benkrasnow.blogspot.com/2010/03/microphotgraphy-with-lumix-gh1.html

In previous videos, I used supercritical CO2 to dry my homemade aerogels. This time, I soaked the aerogel in methanol, then raised the temperature and pressure of the methanol itself to make it supercritical. This allows the gels to be dried without an additional solvent exchange into CO2. The downside is that it requires a chamber full of methanol at 460*F and over 1200 psi, which is a much bigger hazard than using CO2. The aerogels dried with methanol shrank less than the ones dried with CO2, but there was still a lot of cracking, and I have yet to create a high-quality monolith.

In his recent post, Chris Gammell used astronaut ice cream as a fun example of how high tech innovation trickles down to consumer-level products. Seeing an image of astronaut ice cream in my G+ feed got me thinking about making some of my own. I managed to accomplish this with a harbor freight vacuum pump, some dry ice and various hoses and fittings. The process is known as freeze-drying and allows water to pass directly from ice to vapor, thus allowing the ice cream to maintain its physical structure while it is dried. What should I freeze-dry next? http://engineerblogs.org/2012/01/weekend-journal-the-trickle-down-techonomy/

In a previous video, I showed how to extract caffeinated water from green coffee beans with supercritical CO2. Here, I show how to extract dry caffeine crystals from the caffeinated water (ie coffee, in this case). I used a vacuum filtration setup to create very strong coffee, then mixed it with methylene chloride in a seperatory funnel. The methylene chloride sinks below the water, taking most of the caffeine with it. By opening the funnel carefully, only the methylene chloride and caffeine can be transferred to a flask where the methylene chloride is boiled away. I then mounted a test tube in a rubber stopped and filled the tube with ice. With the stopped in the flask, I evacuated the flask and applied heat. The caffeine will sublimate and collect on the cold test tube. I scraped off the caffeine and measured the mass.

I finally succeeded in extracting caffeine from green coffee beans by using supercritical CO2. I built a high pressure chamber from 2" steel pipe fittings, and poured in 200mL of water. There is an aluminum screen above the water line, which held 0.75 lbs of moisturized green coffee beans in the upper part of the chamber. I added liquid CO2 to the chamber, then closed all valves and raised the temperature, making the CO2 pass into the supercritical phase. I left the system overnight at about 60*C, 3000 psi, then drained the water. It was very black due to impurities and some bean burning that occurred where my electric strip heater caused localized overheated zones in the chamber. The water was highly caffeinated, and tasted somewhat like coffee. I used a typical hydrocarbon extraction process to isolate the caffeine from the water (will show this in a later video).

Every so often, internet news aggregator sites run a story about a research group that put an LED into a contact lens, then inserted it into a rabbit's eye. I figured that I would try the same thing, but put the lens into my own eye. I accomplished this by laminating a coil of wire and an 0402 surface-mount LED between two ordinary soft contact lenses. I was hoping the lenses would stick to each other, but they did not, so I ended up fixing the edges together by pinching the plastic together with hot tweezers. This held well enough to capture a minute of video with the LED illuminated in my eye. For video purposes, I mounted the LED facing outward. An actual VR/AR display would have the LED facing inward. I powered the LED by using a very primitive spark-gap transmitter built from a mechanical relay to send RF energy into a larger coil held near my eye. The large coil coupled the energy into the contact lens coil and pulsed the LED. http://nextbigfuture.com/2011/11/single-pixel-contact-lens-display.html http://www.cs.uic.edu/~kenyon/Papers/Soft%20Contact%20Search%20Coil.Vision%20Research.Kenyon.pdf

This is a description of a simple opamp circuit that will translate the variable resistance of a Flexi-Force sensor into an analog voltage and maintain linearity across the sensor's measurement range. http://www.tekscan.com/flexiforce.html http://www.national.com/ds/LM/LM124.pdf Your feedback and topic suggestions for future tutorials are welcome.

In an earlier video, I tried to visualize alpha particles in supercritical CO2, similar to an isopropanol vapor cloud chamber. Someone commented that the alpha particles will not travel very far (maybe 10 microns) in liquid or supercritical CO2, and recommended that I try beta particles, which should have a path length of almost 10mm. Unfortunately, I still don't see any bubble or droplet trails using strontium-90 and thallium-204 sources. It's possible that the ionizing effect of the radiation particles does not interact with the CO2 phase change as it does by condensing droplets in a cloud chamber. Also, cloud chambers are very finicky, and if this CO2 visualization method is as finicky or worse, it may take some more time to figure out the right combination of environmental variables.

I bounced a laser beam off of a window in my house and recovered the audio from inside the room via the beam deflection. I used a Hamamatsu S7815 amplified photodiode and connected it with a 9V battery to my stereo's microphone input jack. The audio quality was very low -- probably due to the double-pane windows in my house. Speech was just barely intelligible. I also tested the procedure of bouncing a laser beam off of a framed picture that is hanging on the wall inside the room to be monitored. The reflected beam will hit a wall somewhere else in the room, and the dot can be monitored by a telescope from remote. The goal would be to measure the beam wobble via the telescope and recover the audio without needing a stringent geometric relation to the target room. This didn't work at all, but I think with a sensitive detector, it has potential. More about laser microphones: http://www.williamson-labs.com/laser-mic.htm

I followed instructions in the silica TMOS recipe from http://www.aerogel.org and successfully produced some small pieces of aerogel in my home shop. The two main difficulties are: 1. Getting TMOS or TEOS (the key chemical ingredient), and 2. Building a supercritical drying chamber. The components for the chamber can be bought from http://www.mcmaster.com or another source of industrial pipe fittings. You'll also need a supply of liquid carbon dioxide. I used a 20-lbs cylinder, which I bought from a local welding store. Most of the cost is in the cylinder itself, since a refill costs only $20 to $30. You may find a welding supply shop that will rent the cylinder. Getting the TMOS is difficult since chemical suppliers are generally unwilling to sell to individuals. The process to make aerogel is: 1. Mix TMOS, methanol, and ammonium hydroxide. Pour this mixture into molds, and wait for a gel to form. 2. Submerge the gel in methanol, and wait a day for the remaining water in the gel to diffuse into the methanol. 3. Discard the methanol, and replace with fresh methanol. Wait a day, and repeat. Repeat this process a few times over three days. 4. Transfer the gel into the supercritical drying chamber, and fill the chamber with methanol. 5. Add liquid CO2, then open the chamber's bottom valve to remove the methanol. Make sure the gels are always covered with liquid CO2. 6. Wait a day for methanol to diffuse into the liquid CO2. 7. Open the bottom valve and remove more methanol. 8. Repeat the methanol draining procedure while making sure the gels stay submerged in liquid CO2. Repeat the CO2 draining/exchange a couple times over 2-3 days. 9. Raise the chamber temperature to cause the CO2 to become supercritical. Slowly vent the chamber while applying heat to ensure the CO2 moves from the supercritical phase to the gas phase. Continue venting the chamber slowly, then remove the finished aerogels.

In a previous video, I used a stainless steel water bottle as a pressure chamber to add argon and carbon dioxide to beer. This time, I used pure CO2 to carbonate some apple slices. They're very tasty! http://www.evilmadscientist.com/article.php/co2inator

I tried to build a cloud chamber with supercritical CO2, thinking that ionizing radiation (alpha particles) would cause localized condensation of the CO2 at the point where the fluid is coming out of the supercritical state. It didn't work, unfortunately. I tested this idea with the americium-241 source from a smoke detector. I will continue experimenting with CO2 ionization chambers, and it might be possible to visualize the particles with superheated liquid CO2. A helpful commenter pointed out that alpha particles will not travel very far in a fluid as dense as liquid CO2, so I will try again with a beta emitter.

I built a pressure chamber from 2" pipe fittings and 1/8" brass valves to contain supercritical CO2 for drying applications. One project is to try aerogel production which generally requires that solvent be removed via supercritical drying. Normal evaporation would deform the aerogel structure as the surface tension of the solvent pulls the gel's structure tighter together and makes it dense. Since supercritical fluids have gaseous properties, they can diffuse out through the gel without affecting the structure the way that a liquid would.

This is a project that I built a few years ago when I learned about liquid lenses. They are quite useful for optical paths with small diameters. http://www.supertex.com/pdf/datasheets/HV892.pdf http://varioptic.com/en/products.html http://benkrasnow.blogspot.com/2009/07/experimenting-with-liquid-lens.html

http://www.techkits.com/kits/index.htm#sla7062 Stepper motors can be made to rotate more smoothly by providing simulated sine waves. The SLA7062 chip uses internal PWM to provide sinusoidal current waveforms to unipolar stepper motors. I have this working fairly well, but the PWM frequency is acoustically apparent and annoying.

This proves that proper technique is more important than brute strength if even I can rip a phone book in half. There are many tutorials, eg http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gYTpTPOSbd0

I show how to weld aluminum cans together with a cheap import TIG welder. I am not a professional welder, so some of my advice may be unconventional or even wrong, but these methods work well for me. With a 3/32" electrode and large gas lens, I don't have to change the torch setup for nearly any kind of common welding. Let me know if you have any questions or would like me to make more welding videos. Some things that I have learned: Don't use pure tungsten electrodes. The new rare-earth blends work very well on nearly all metals. Sharpen the electrode to a very fine point for low-current welding, and sharpen it like a pencil for higher (eg over 100A) welding. Keep the electrode balance control electrode negative ("weld") and only shift toward electrode positive ("clean") when absolutely necessary. The welder's pulse feature turned out to be not as useful as I originally thought. It just seems to complicate things. It's definitely possible to make great welds without it. Use fat electrodes. Some people claim that using an electrode that is "too large" for the weld current will cause the arc to wander. Nope. Just grind it to a sharp point. Thin electrodes 1/16" and .040" overheat much too easily, and provide no apparent benefit. .040" electrodes are very frustrating. Use thin filler rod. It's much easier to feed thin rod quickly than feed fat rod slowly. As I mentioned in the video, it's easier to sneak a thin filler rod into the puddle while keeping the torch close to the surface.

I left my supercritical CO2 chamber charged up with 750 psi liquid CO2 (not supercritical) for about a week. I then depressurized the chamber, and opened it. At first, the acrylic seemed fine with just minor surface crazing. After a few hours, I was surprised to find the acrylic had deformed in a major way and was full of CO2 bubbles. Weird!

I tried to extract caffeine from green coffee beans using supercritical CO2, but I had no success. The beans underwent a strange transformation, becoming white and rubbery after 6 hours at 80*C in supercritical CO2. I also used water and ethanol as a cosolvent, thinking that the caffeine would end up in solution in the water/ethanol mix after the CO2 became subcritical. Do you have any advice about how this process is supposed to work?

Most beer is carbonated with 100% CO2. Some beers, notably Guinness and some other porter/stouts, contain a mixture of nitrogen and CO2 in a ratio commonly 75/25 N2/CO2. The nitrogen is less soluble in water, and allows the beer to be served at a higher pressure without dissolving too much gas into the beer itself. The higher serving pressure churns up the beer as it exits the spout, and creates a creamy head that is the signature of a good Guinness pour. Some pubs use 75/25 gas to push normally carbonated beers out of the tap, but the beers themselves contain only CO2. In this video I wondered what would happen if I used argon instead of nitrogen. I started by using %100 argon since the solubility of Ar is between that of N2 and CO2. As it turns out, the Ar is not soluble enough to produce a decent head on the beer. Additionally, the complete lack of CO2 makes the beer taste sweet (like it's flat) since the CO2 is necessary to form carbonic acid in water, and this is an important flavor component of beer. Xenon has anesthetic properties at atmospheric pressure, while the other noble gasses can become anesthetic at higher pressures. Does anyone want to explore xenon beer, or have any experience with xenon used as an anesthetic?

I built a pressure vessel from aluminum and acrylic, and filled it by placing pieces of dry ice inside. The dry ice melts under high pressure, and forms a liquid and gas phase. When the vessel is heated, the CO2 becomes supercritical -- meaning the liquid and gas phases merge together into a new phase that has properties of a gas, but the density of a liquid. Supercritical CO2 is a good solvent, and is used for decaffeinating coffee, dry cleaning clothes, and other situations where avoiding a hydrocarbon solvent is desirable for environmental or health reasons. If you have a suggestion for what I should do with the supercritical CO2, please leave a comment. CO2 can be liquefied in plastic bottle preforms: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8AN_XMcD3yI It may be important to open the container before all of the solid melts. When there is still some solid CO2 present, the pressure will be close to the triple point. Once the solid completely melts, the pressure will increase quickly to about 750 psi depending on the ambient temp. I really doubt those plastic containers could hold 750 psi. My first look at supercritical fluids: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yBRdBrnIlTQ Another youtuber interested in supercritical CO2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GEr3NxsPTOA Added engineering recap and formulas: http://benkrasnow.blogspot.com/2011/09/close-look-at-supercritical-carbon.html

I will be adding a valve to the chamber so that I can release pressure in a more controlled way.

This has been done many times, but is still fun and easy. This is the first time that I have tried it myself. The reaction produces Magnesium Oxide and Carbon 2 Mg(s) + CO2 yields 2 MgO(s) + C(s)

This is my first experience with FPGA programming, and so I made this video to show how easy it is to get started. Many of the tutorials on the web and the DE1 manual make the process seem more difficult than it actually is (as usual). http://benkrasnow.blogspot.com/2011/08/getting-started-with-altera-de1-fpga.html

I've been cutting glass plates and mirrors with my CNC milling machine machine for years. In this video, I describe a few tips and the general technique that I use. Clamping the glass plate to the table is the critical part of the process, and so I built a jig that allows the glass to be held laterally with shims, but does not require a high clamping force, which would crack the glass. Cutting parameters: .085" dia diamond burr 3000 RPM 1-3 inches per minute feed Cut depth .130" (full material thickness) Flood coolant with soluble oil cutting fluid http://benkrasnow.blogspot.com/2011/08/cnc-milling-glass-plates-and-mirrors.html http://benkrasnow.blogspot.com/2008/08/cnc-milling-glass-plates-and-mirrors.html

I am not sure of the chemistry involved, but I have found that acetone and isopropanol vapor will darken the ink in thermal printer paper. There is also a strange reversible blanking effect, where continued vapor application will cause the dye to temporarily become colorless. Do you know the chemistry involved?

I built this project a few years ago with a friend to help get him interested in mechanical design. Later, the project was adapted for display at a "tech and art" exhibition at San Jose City Hall. After 8 months, the painted steel impeller began to rust and discolor the water in the tube. I took the device back to my shop and replaced the original aluminum shaft with a stainless steel shaft, replaced the shaft seal, and changed the impeller to an all-plastic design. If I were designing the device again, I would opt for a spring-loaded PTFE (Teflon) shaft seal, which I have used with great success in other applications. Drill motor control: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7yEABsNyRfo Original video showing the WiFi-controlled watering can and vortex tube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XKrlRJ-GJms

The 5V fixed output on my Shenzhen Mastech HY3005D-3 power supply died the other day, and so I took the device apart to investigate. The 5V regulator board had a bad solder joint where the bridge rectifier attaches to the PCB. I used a soldering gun to reflow the joints, and all seems good.

I achieved neuronal stimulation of my primary motor cortex by using a single 15-turn coil and 1700 volt charge on the capacitor bank of about 190uF. The exact position of the coil on my scalp makes a very big difference in how much stimulation is achieved in the motor cortex. I would have suspected the single coil would produce much more diffuse stimulation and positioning would not be so critical. I never got any decent neuronal stimulation with the butterfly coil.

I ignited four pounds of thermite made with aluminum / iron (III) oxide in a flower pot. The thermite reaction quickly formed liquid iron which dripped down out of the pot, and into a ceramic pan. I put a beef kebab directly onto the liquid iron, which cooked the food in under a minute. It was delicious!

I am testing the frequency response of the TPS334 IR sensor. My very crude tests agree with the datasheet, which means that the image scan time will be very long for high contrast images. Many low-cost microbolometer-based thermal imaging cameras have 80x80 sensors (6400 pixels). At a 10Hz pixel clock (-3dB sensitivity from datasheet), the frame scan time would be 640 seconds, or nearly 11 minutes. Yikes! At 100Hz, the sensor would only produce an output level of %10 of its DC capability, and still require just over a minute to scan the whole frame. Obviously, this will not be a "live video" system, but might still produce some interesting still image thermographs. I am working on other methods of sensing long-wave IR too. More later.

I bought this bargain basement clamp-on current probe on eBay. It doesn't even seem to have a manufacturer (shamed out of existence?), but the model number is CP06. It's $70 shipped, and is probably worth it, especially if you plan to measure DC and 50/60Hz AC waveforms. It will not do high-frequency measurements. The DC accuracy seems good enough for many different applications where cutting into the test wire is not preferable. Note: Hold down the "zero" button for a couple seconds, then release.

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) is a technique to stimulate brain tissue directly through the skull. It works by sending a very high current pulse through a coil that is located on the subject's scalp. The fast-rising edge of the pulse induces a current in the brain tissue, causing neuron stimulation. This device uses a capacitor bank, high current SCR, trigger circuit, figure-8 (or butterfly) coil, and high voltage charging circuit. Link to the SCR datasheet: http://www.5scomponents.com/pdf/5STH_30J4501.pdf Some good technical information: http://www.abovesobelow.com/TMS/cTMS.pdf Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transcranial_magnetic_stimulation

Here's a project that I built to feed my cat when I am away for short trips. It uses a commercial dry cereal dispenser, stepper motor that was hacked into an old HP Laserjet gearbox, ATMega8 AVR microcontroller, and standard mechanical AC lamp timer. http://benkrasnow.blogspot.com/2009/02/automatic-cat-feeder.html http://benkrasnow.blogspot.com/2009/08/improved-automatic-cat-feeder.html

One of my ongoing projects is to develop a low-cost thermal imaging camera. In this video, I take apart an Extech IR250 infrared thermometer with the intention of grabbing an analog or digital signal so that I can record temperature measurements while using a scanning or image processing device to select portions of the scene being examined. Unfortunately, it looks like the analog circuitry is completely sealed inside a custom IC that is hidden under a blob of potting material. I'll remove the IR sensor from the board and build my own analog amplification and digitization hardware. Common digital output IR thermometer sensor: http://www.melexis.com/Infrared-Thermometer-Sensors/Infrared-Thermometer-Sensors/MLX90614-615.aspx TPS334 sensor datasheet: http://www.datasheetcatalog.org/datasheet/perkinelmer/TPS334.pdf Analog Devices app note regarding thermopile sensors: http://www.analog.com/en/all-operational-amplifiers-op-amps/operational-amplifiers-op-amps/products/technical-articles/using_thermopile_sensor_in_ir_digital_thermometers/resources/fca.html Servo pan/tilt IR imaging scanner project: http://www.cheap-thermocam.tk/ Redshift thermal imaging: http://redshiftsystems.com/site

I bought six 2600F 2.5V ultracapacitors from Electronic Goldmine. They were on sale a couple weeks ago, and this was one of my rare impulse purchases. I am thinking of building a portable capacitive discharge welder, or perhaps conventional spot welder. What are your ideas?

My first youtube videos were made with my camera's on-board stereo microphone. The camera is a Lumix GH1, and the mics are fairly good as far as prosumer video DSLR cameras go. One problem is that the camera's automatic gain control cannot be turned off, and having unexpected gain changes during an audio recording is not preferable. Another problem is that the audio preamplifiers in the camera are somewhat noisy, and lead to a lot of hiss (high noise floor) in the recording. Finally, it's impossible to get good sound when the microphone is positioned far away from the sound source when room tone and echoes are present. The solution to all of these problems is to make use of a lavalier or lapel microphone and use a low-noise dedicated recording device. I use a Zoom Handy H4 recorder. The H4's on-board mics are really nice, but it is still preferable to have a microphone very close to the subject's mouth to capture detailed, high-quality sound. I started using an Audio Technica ATR-3350, which is only $20 or $30 new, and the mic is OK, but has very little high-frequency response. This can be corrected with equalizer settings in post-production fairly well. I recently upgraded to a Sony ECM-55B, which sounds better, but I am not sure it was worth the expense. I was really expecting the mic to have a much higher output level than the ATR-3350, thus allowing me to turn down the gain on my recorder and have a much lower noise floor. As it happens, the mic requires even more gain than the ATR-3350. Overall, I am pretty satisfied with my sound recording setup -- the only addition I might make is a low-noise preamp to try boosting the lavalier mic signal while adding less noise than the H4 adds during the high pre-amp gain stage.

This is the second video of a short series in which I discuss the basics of electrical impedance from a practical standpoint. In this video, I explain the importance of knowing the magnitude and angle of impedance, as well as how this affects the power factor of a given electrical circuit.

This is the first video of a short series in which I discuss the basics of electrical impedance from a practical standpoint. In this video, I show how a simple LED power supply circuit can be made more efficient by replacing a resistor with a capacitor. I describe the difference between resistance, reactance, and impedance.

After getting back from Maker Faire (which is always a hugely enjoyable and inspiring event), I thought that my microscope might need some repairs. As it turned out, I only had to change the filament and tighten some screws that came loose during the trip back from the Faire. The microscope works just as well as it ever has -- I didn't even need to move my alignment magnets. I made this video to show everyone what using it is really like. Also, if you haven't been able to attend Maker Faire yet, it really is as amazing and epic as you have heard. The intelligent and inspiring people who make it happen are a large part of the motivation that I had to build and display this microscope. In turn, I hope my project inspires others to create things and share their ideas with everyone. There's no better way to have fun and celebrate accomplishment at the same time!

I recently bought a Grizzly 4003G lathe, which has proven to be a very useful tool in my shop and a major upgrade from my previous lathe. The 4003G is a great value, and I would definitely recommend it for anyone looking for a 12x36 lathe for hobby or semi-pro work.

I am in the process of upgrading the lighting in my shop. It currently has a number of 4-lamp and 2-lamp T12 4-foot fluorescent fixtures. The best solution is to replace the ballast in each of these fixtures with high-efficiency electronic ballast ($15), and replace the lamps with T8 high-CRI bulbs. This will save energy, and greatly improve the quality of the light. LEDs and T5 fluorescent are MUCH more expensive to install, and their energy savings are not nearly enough to justify the cost. Remember that running a T8 with an electronic ballast will provide more light than it's nominal rating, which is for magnetic ballasts. T5 are always rated for electronic ballasts, so it is not a fair comparison. For new fixtures in my shop, the cheapest/best solution is to buy $10 "shop lights" and replace the ballast. The total fixture cost is $25, and efficiency is 96 lumens/watt for a total output of almost 6000 lumens. It can't be beat! Commercially-available T8 fixtures with electronic ballasts are more expensive, and the quality of the ballast is suspect.

I built a simple working model of a 3D printer for demonstration at a school. My intention is to show the students how 3D printers work at their most basic level. The model provides a hands-on activity and can create alphabetic letters or other small souvenirs that the kids can take with them.

I describe how to design a simple transistor circuit that will allow microcontrollers or other small signal sources to control low-power actuators such as solenoid valves, motors, etc.

Here's a project that makes use of these electronic Braille characters: http://www.metec-ag.de/braille%20cell%20p16.html I built a bunch of transistor amplifiers and use two 74hc373 chips driven by the parallel port to control the state of both Braille characters. Excellent resource for PC parallel port control: http://www.beyondlogic.org/spp/parallel.htm

I explain the detailed operation of the electron gun in my DIY scanning electron microscope project.

Here's another project similar the the fiberoptic joystick that I built. It uses the same 62.5 micron telecom fiber to sense X/Y velocity as well as two buttons in a standard computer mouse. This mouse is designed to be used in environments were electrical signals cannot be tolerated.

Vote for me here: http://mytektronixscope.com/videos/ I am using my Tektronix 2246 analog oscilloscope to show the image generated by my DIY electron microscope. The 2246 is operating in X-Y mode, with the channels connected to a raster scan generator. The vertical scanning frequency is about 30Hz and the horizontal frequency is about 10KHz. The trace brightness (Z axis) is modulated with the secondary electron signal from the microscope.

Please visit my blog post to see the references and sources for this project: http://benkrasnow.blogspot.com/2011/03/diy-scanning-electron-microscope_26.html

Today, I finally produced an image with my DIY scanning electron microscope. I've spent the last few months working on this project, and am encouraged by today's success. There is still a lot of work left to do in making the image higher resolution, and eliminating sources of noise, however this image proves that all parts of the microscope are operating as designed. I will be showing this project at Maker Faire 2011 in San Mateo. Come see it for yourself in person! http://benkrasnow.blogspot.com/2011/03/diy-scanning-electron-microscope.html Search my blog for "microscope" for additional images and info: http://benkrasnow.blogspot.com/

Link to the instructables article (not written by me): http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-make-air-muscles!/ Silicone tubing - McMaster 51135K281 Braided wire loom (polyester) - McMaster 9284K413 http://benkrasnow.blogspot.com/2011/02/how-to-build-air-muscle-and-use-it-in.html

I cut open a cathode ray tube (picture tube, or CRT) and explain the internal parts and their function.

I have designed and built a joystick that contains no electronic parts -- only fiberoptics. The motion is sensed via quadrature encoding, and the signal processing is handled by an arduino microcontroller. How to terminate fiberoptics: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OosMQHQlY40 http://benkrasnow.blogspot.com/2010/12/fiberoptic-joystick-with-quadrature.html http://benkrasnow.blogspot.com/2010/02/linear-position-tracking-with.html

I describe how I built a 10-finger flex sensor system using batting gloves and a National Instruments analog capture device. http://benkrasnow.blogspot.com/2010/12/diy-10-finger-flex-sensor-gloves-for.html

I need to tap a lot of holes in plastic for my job, so I found a method that is much faster than tapping by hand.

I finally finished the 1000W xenon searchlight project that I started earlier this year. The power supply is a slightly modified arc welder coupled with an automotive ignition coil for the starting pulse. http://benkrasnow.blogspot.com/2010/10/diy-searchlight-housing-for-1000w-xenon.html

I am trying to develop a low-cost DIY thermal imaging device. The commercially available thermal imaging cameras still cost well over $1000 because of high production costs and low demand. Many hobbyists would like to have a cheap thermal imaging camera even if performance is not as good as commercial or military units. My goal is to build such a camera. In this video, I am testing one possible approach: Using a very thin projection screen that is painted with thermochromic liquid crystals. These liquid crystals change color in the temperature range 77*F to 86*F. Ideally, the projection screen housing would be heated (or cooled) to 77*F, so that all incident thermal radiation would raise the screen temperature higher than this, and immediately cause a color change.

I built this remote focus control for my telescope, which will eliminate vibrations caused by touching the focus knob with my hand.

This is an interactive art project that I have been building for an upcoming exhibition. The idea for a web-controlled watering can come from the first "iphone watering can" that I helped build with a friend for Maker Faire a couple years ago. Search the internet/youtube for "iphone watering can" for details. This new version uses a different drive mechanism and a PD control loop to make the watering can track the desired position in realtime. The interface works with any webkit browser. My collaborator and I have discussed using the iphone or android accelerometers to achieve control through phone tilting. I'm not sure if the tilt data is available to the web browser, though, and we are trying to make the interface run on as many platforms as possible. Any ideas? The siteplayer webserver is extremely old technology and has many problems, but does work. I would explore using a hacked WRT router in the future for similar projects. http://benkrasnow.blogspot.com/2010/09/web-controlled-watering-can-and-vortex.html

I am showing a method of using a CdS photoresistor to control a standard triac dimmer circuit that is wired to an electric drill motor (a universal motor). The CdS photoresistor is driven by an LED that is controlled by a PWM pin on an arduino microcontroller. This system provides a very easy way to control 120V AC devices with a single PWM pin, and not use any timing code or method to detect the zero-crossing of the AC power since this is done intrinsically in the circuit. It also offers true electrical isolation between the AC line voltage and microcontroller.

Cake: http://www.recipezaar.com/recipe/Dark-Chocolate-Cake-2496 Buttercream frosting: http://www.recipezaar.com/Vanilla-Buttercream-Frosting-From-Sprinkles-Cupcakes-222188 Fondant: http://whatscookingamerica.net/PegW/Fondant.htm Part 1 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_IhibizyrtU Part 3 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OkGUzFKQhzY

In this video, I describe how I make fondant cakes. Cake recipe: http://www.recipezaar.com/recipe/Dark-Chocolate-Cake-2496 Buttercream frosting recipe: http://www.recipezaar.com/Vanilla-Buttercream-Frosting-From-Sprinkles-Cupcakes-222188 Part 2 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SaBI6IjIGy0

Part 2 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SaBI6IjIGy0

In this video, I am repairing a Genesis 12" subwoofer driver. I bought a foam replacement kit from speakerworks.com, and the process of installing it went very smoothly. The song is One Less Worry by Dennis Chambers and Niacin. It's off the Drum Nation Volume Two album.

I mixed: 40g water 25g potassium dichromate 500g concentrated sulfuric acid http://books.google.com/books?id=Fl57Byhp0ecC&lpg=PA114&ots=wYk-A7i9px&dq=delrin%20etch%20chemical&pg=PA114#v=onepage&q=delrin%20etch%20chemical&f=false I guess this mixture is commonly called chromic acid. Things that I should have done: Use a Pyrex beaker Don't use the magnetic stirrer, just use a teflon stir stick Use an ice bath at the beginning of the procedure

I am testing an Osram 1000W short arc lamp with a DIY power supply built from an arc welder, auto ignition coil and some other parts. My plan is to build the arc lamp into a searchlight housing.

This will be my final "test" video before starting on a real video project. Lumix GH1 Creative movie mode FHD 1920x1080 24p "Smooth" film mode -2 NR -2 Contrast Vivitar 28-90 lens, shot at about 50mm f/11 The last third of this video is 1280x720 60p video that has been conformed to 24p, so it runs at 40% without frame blending. Edited in Premiere Pro CS4 White balance was set to "sunny"

Volume Control plays at the Mojo Lounge in Fremont, CA http://www.volumecontroltheband.com/

I've made some improvements to my technique: 1. Used the camera's custom white balance to make the sand in the aquarium appear white. 2. Set the shutter to 1/30. Youtube only handles 30fps video, so 60fps video will appear choppy with its minimum shutter of 1/60. When set to 1/30, the camera will just output each frame twice in 60fps. 3. Stopped down to f/4 with all of my lenses to reduce aberrations. Set camera to manually adjust ISO in 1/3EV increments. Since the shutter and aperture are fixed, I adjust ISO to achieve the correct exposure. 4. Use my Vivitar 28-90 set at 50mm, which is its best-performing setting. 5. Use auto-contrast effect in Premiere. 6. Make sure premiere outputs video in 0-255 range instead of 16-235. This was probably just a display issue with my Nvidia 8600M GT, but I updated Premiere anyway since there was mention of this bug. 7. Used "smooth" film mode in camera with -2 contrast and -2 noise reduction.

This is a coffee table that I built with a fluid-filled disc on the top. The disc can be rotated freely, and the speed and direction of the rotation will cause the fluid to swirl around in different patterns. The fluid is called rheoscopic fluid -- it is designed to show the intricate patterns in turbulent fluid flow. More here: http://benkrasnow.blogspot.com/2013/01/rheoscopic-coffee-table.html

http://benkrasnow.blogspot.com/2009/12/using-my-hacked-espresso-machine.html

Volume Control in the San Francisco Bay Area http://www.volumecontroltheband.com

I poured a little liquid oxygen into a Styrofoam cup, then ignited it. The Styrofoam burns very quickly in the oxygen environment. At the end of the video, I stomped on the burning mess, and the confined combustion between my shoe and the ground creates a loud pop.

I built this Halloween prop for a haunted porch setup. It goes unnoticed by visitors until it starts jumping and rattling. http://benkrasnow.blogspot.com/2009/10/halloween-prop-building-monster-in-box.html

I am pouring 1.5 liters of liquid oxygen on a bunch of smoldering charcoal briquettes. The oxygen rapidly turns to gas and accelerates the rate of combustion at the surface of the briquettes. Some of the charcoal fractures and shoots off tiny pieces that burn with a bright light. I made the liquid oxygen by passing gaseous oxygen through a copper tube that was submerged in liquid nitrogen. The liquid nitrogen is colder than the boiling point of oxygen, so it causes the oxygen to condense and be ejected as a liquid from the other end of the tube. Liquid nitrogen can be bought at welding supply stores, however I made a batch myself with a cryocooler. See here for more info: http://benkrasnow.blogspot.com/2008/08/diy-liquid-nitrogen-generator.html http://benkrasnow.blogspot.com/2009/08/lighting-bbq-with-liquid-oxygen.html