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Off-Topic Discussion => General Discussion => Topic started by: Sandwich on July 11, 2006, 10:55:54 am

Title: Start > Snowflake... File > Save...
Post by: Sandwich on July 11, 2006, 10:55:54 am
http://www.popsci.com/popsci/how20/e5fb1e4e0fca9010vgnvcm1000004eecbccdrcrd.html

If it actually snowed here more often, I might give this a try. Perhaps some of our southern hemisphere peeps could let us know how well it works? :p
Title: Re: Start > Snowflake... File > Save...
Post by: watsisname on July 13, 2006, 03:10:02 pm
That's pretty cool. :)
I'll have to remember this if we get a good winter this year.  ...blasted global warming!  It's gonna kill us all!  :shaking:
Title: Re: Start > Snowflake... File > Save...
Post by: achtung on July 13, 2006, 03:13:37 pm
I wanted to try that last year, but I just never got around to it.
Title: Re: Start > Snowflake... File > Save...
Post by: karajorma on July 13, 2006, 05:26:16 pm
I wonder if the ice that forms inside the freezer is sufficiantly crystaline for this to work :)
Title: Re: Start > Snowflake... File > Save...
Post by: an0n on July 13, 2006, 07:16:12 pm
Doubt it.

You need to the rotation and 'effective zero-G' for the flake to form properly.
Title: Re: Start > Snowflake... File > Save...
Post by: Sandwich on July 15, 2006, 05:46:10 am
Although why not see what ice that forms in the freezer does look like? ;)
Title: Re: Start > Snowflake... File > Save...
Post by: karajorma on July 15, 2006, 06:30:02 am
You need to the rotation and 'effective zero-G' for the flake to form properly.

True but what if you spray a fine mist of cold water into the freezer? :) That might achieve the supercooling effect needed. Unfortunately you wouldn't get much time for the crystals for form and that tends to mean small ugly crystals.
Title: Re: Start > Snowflake... File > Save...
Post by: watsisname on July 16, 2006, 10:16:20 pm
Actually that wouldn't make crystals.  Crystals form by accreting water vapor in the surrounding air, which would take too long to make in a freezer using spray.

In fact, if you sprayed a fine mist into a freezer, you'd only end up with a fine coating of ice on the surfaces.  Liquid droplets of water are notoriously difficult to freeze unless they come in contact with something.  (Note freezing rain).

But to answer Karajorma's first question, I don't see any reason why the superglue-technique wouldn't work with the crystals in a freezer.  Should be worth giving a try. :)
Title: Re: Start > Snowflake... File > Save...
Post by: karajorma on July 17, 2006, 07:08:26 am
Knew I should have paid more attention in Physical Chemisty lectures :D

I was always more of an organic or inorganic man :)
Title: Re: Start > Snowflake... File > Save...
Post by: Colonol Dekker on July 17, 2006, 08:20:22 am
The header subject link is actually very cool, I would never have tought of it.
Cheers :yes: