Dry Ice Fun

[zetreque]

Someone bought me a gift of ethically sourced salmon that was shipped in dry ice.

Little did she know it was actually two gifts because now I have some dry ice to play with.

I first tried making a cloud chamber but as I was warned online, 70% isopropyl alcohol doesn't work apparently. I got it to give me that snowing effect where it snows inside of the clear container but I was unable to see any particles.

I then used the rest of that dry ice to make some fun comets in a tray that had a thin layer of water in it.

I then just looked online and found someone who says that if you dissolve salt into 70% isopyproly alcohol the water and 99% alcohol separates. I just tried this in a test tube and it looks like it worked right away. I'm now waiting until after dark to use the last of my dry ice and give the cloud chamber one more try. Hopefully my last chunk of dry ice will survive long enough in the freezer.

[zetreque]

Well I got the snowing effect again but no lines zipping through. I guess my house just blocks all high energy particles. hahaha

[Watson]

Good to know. I have a front yard full of snow. I'm going to go out and see if I can find the salmon.

[BioWizard]

So I’m guessing the salmon is flash frozen before shipping?

[zetreque]

So I’m guessing the salmon is flash frozen before shipping?

Seems so. I just thawed out another piece to have.
Coincidentally, another project I now have liquid nitrogen to play with but not a lot of ideas there either.

[BioWizard]

Seems so. I just thawed out another piece to have.
Coincidentally, another project I now have liquid nitrogen to play with but not a lot of ideas there either.

Flash freeze salmon? :)

Please be VERY CAREFUL with liquid nitrogen. You can lose an organ or an appendage playing with that stuff. Wear appropriate gear and take necessary precautions.

[zetreque]

Ok so seriously. I have about 30 some gallons of extra liquid nitrogen right now. What sorts of fun could I do? I'm going to have to consult youtube.

[zetreque]

ok several videos later... It looks like various types of ice cream is the best way to go. Looks like I'm going grocery shopping before work tomorrow :D

[BioWizard]

30 gallons? Geez. Toss them into my cell storage dewar, I think it’s running low and the grad student keeps forgetting to refill it.

[zetreque]

Happy to report that my banana ice cream is good :)

mashed up a banana and I tried it once with heavy whipping cream and vanilla
and the other time with coconut milk and vanilla.

It's harder than normal ice cream.

Wrong time of year for it though... I'm freezing now!

Next time this happens I'm going to plan ahead and have an ice-cream party with the students or faculty.