Free the World

This is off the wall, weird science stuff. Not real according to current scientific thinking, but what if ...

Ok, so theoretically the frequency of disassociation for water is 42.8 kHz (http://www.keelynet.com/energy/docx.htm).
So to set up a standing wave we would need to apply ultrasound at 42.8 kHz to a column of water matching a multiple of the wavelength.
To determine the wavelength we need the speed and frequency.
The speed of sound in pure water is 1485.72546 m/s at 70 F or 21.1111111 C
Wavelength = Speed/Frequency for second harmonic
1485.72546 / 42800 = 0.034713211682242990654205607476636 m or 1.3666618773 inches

So set up a tube (now I know tube diameter has to come in to play somehow here) with 1.36666 inches of pure water in it, hit it with ultrasound at 42.8 kHz and it should go poof into vapor or o2 and h2. Instant pressurization for compressed air machinery or vehicles.

Wouldn't it be cool!

And the Soap Maker strikes again ...

Yep, had to get one more batch tried before we headed out.

Canola Oil 2 oz.
Castor Oil 1 oz.
Cocoa Butter 1 oz.
Olive Oil 8 oz.
Palm Oil 6 oz.
Water 5 oz.
Lye 2.33 oz.

This one went quick set to trace again. So I need to make sure my last minute additions (color, scent) are ready before I start mixing. May have to draft a helper to keep track of the add-ins while I'm mixing. The red palm oil makes for an interesting color. I think this will be the last batch for a while. Sorry, sleepy, just wanted to document the experiment. So far I think the coconut oil/olive oil are my favorites.

The Soap Maker's Journal

I did not intend for this to be a lab book for my soap making endeavors. Actually I only figured on making one batch of soap, but I found I enjoy it. Ok, this one is an experiment, tried using no scent, and tried using a red tea to color it. Unfortunately the lye turned it deep green then gold. Chemistry is funny that way. So I'll see what the end result looks like.

8 ounces canola oil
6.5 ounces corn oil
1 ounce castor oil (love those bubbles)
2 ounces lye
6 ounces tea

Notice there are no hard oils in there (lard, coconut, Crisco, palm). I was not sure how it would set up (in fact still not sure) but it went to trace without too much trouble. Hopefully it will set. Doesn't smell great, but not putrid either. So they can't all be raging successes.

Congratulations!

...to Michael and Christopher for graduating from 8th grade! They seem to breeze through things getting A's where I didn't. I remember working hard, but they just seem to do it. Can't blame it on the curriculum being any easier (when I help with homework, it's the same stuff I did). So here's to the superiority of the coming generation!

The Traveller

It's unfortunate, but I think universal, in that perception is tainted by our mood, attitude, sense of well being - basically who we are. I'm in St. Louis and granted down by the tracks where I'm staying isn't the most impressive part of the city, but I can see how it could be considered nice. Walking around last night though, I just thought it was old, used up, something that used to be that hasn't gotten around to being anything new yet. Some places have a sense of old, stateliness that impresses or awes a visitor. Sorry, just couldn't see it here.

But it could have just been me. I distinctly remember the first time going through the Chicago airport being wowed by the light and sound show in the underground walkway (very cool if you haven't been there). The next time I didn't see the walkway, but loved gazing at the Brachiosaurus skeleton. The next time the Chicago airport was dirty, crowded, noisy, ugly. It was all the same place, but the perceptions were wildly disparate.

So I got to thinking, maybe I can gauge my attitude and well being, by how I perceive the world around me. Am I happier when I notice the beauty and interesting details in the places I visit? Or do I notice the good things because I am happy?

And one more ...

Just finished a unit on Time Management. It boils down to deciding how much and what YOU want to do. Prioritizing tasks is useless unless done with YOUR personal values in mind. So effective time management is really a value statement for who you are.

Building Me

Since I'm in a bloggy mood, figured I'd better take advantage of it. A few weeks ago, I heard the word edify and the wheels started turning. Edify, edification and edifice all have the same root. Now I'm all about word connotation - shack is a small run down thing; edifice is a majestic building meant to inspire and impress. So I see the need in my life of constant edification, that is, building me into someone inspirational (the majestic and impressive I can pass on, but if they happen I won't complain). Some edification may be the little details, but some of it is also the scaffold raising major enhancements, and somehow I think the scaffolds have been empty for a while - otherwise this wouldn't have impacted me quite so much.

The Great Soap Making Event - Revisited

Ok, so here's try number two (Saturday May 31,2008). Yes, I love the experimentation aspect of this. I noticed a distinct pungency in my first batch of soap when used for shaving (works fine in the shower). I have to attribute that to the lard. Not positive, but it smells sort of lardy. I liked the earthiness of the coconut oil, wanted a bit more slip and, of course more bubbles. So here's the recipe for this batch (instructions are the same, so I'm not reprinting.

Ingredients:

28 oz. coconut oil
10 oz. olive oil
4 oz. castor oil
14 oz. water
2 tablespoons (more or less) of bentonite clay
6.5 oz. lye
mixture of essential oils for scent

Now between increasing the percentage of coconut oil and using a stick blender, this batch went to trace in about a minute and was actually getting too stiff (pudding consistency) when I poured it into the mold. I was able to take it out of the mold the next day and it looked good (even with a few small trapped bubbles). So six weeks and I'll get to try it out. Only two small lye burns this time around, 1 hour start to finish and MUCH less mess.