Freezing flowers with liquid nitrogen
Is there a better way to celebrate Mother’s Day than to freeze some flowers in liquid nitrogen? Probably, but flash freezing flowers and then watching them break like glass is pretty cool.
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Archive for year: 2011
How to make an air vortex cannon
Making an Air Cannon is super easy and you probably have everything you need at home or in the garage right now. Learn how it’s done. Read more
Exploding Eggs
Some people color eggs for Easter, I think it’s more fun to fill them with hydrogen gas and see what happens when you bring a flame nearby.
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Rip a pop-can in half with your hands
Ripping a pop can in half with your bare hands is not all that hard if you know a bit of chemistry and a little about how soda cans are fabricated. The key, is the plastic liner that coats the inside of the can. In order to protect the aluminum can from the carbonic acid in sodas, can manufacturers coat the inside of a can with a plastic liner. The liner also protects the inside of beer cans as well.
Fun with Instant Snow
Superabsorbant polymers are amazing things. They trap liquids in diapers and can even simulate snow. Read more
The Earthquake Platform
A new exhibit at Imagination Station, the earthquake platform. As part of engineering week I challenge local meteorologist Jay Berschback to build a stable tower on the Earthquake platform exhibit. Using only foam noodles and some cross-bracing he must construct a stable tower at least 5 stories tall. Find out if he can meet the challenge. Read more
What makes safety glass, Safe?
Learn about the various kinds of glass that material scientists use to create a safe automobile environment. Read more
How to break glass
Breaking glass is easy unless it’s tempered glass that can take quite a beating before breaking. Read more
Liquid Nitrogen in a two liter bottle
Liquid nitrogen expands in volume about 8oo times as it changes from a liquid to a gas. What would happen if you tried to contain all that gas inside a 2 liter bottle? Find out.