SEM (Scanning Electron Microscope) Images
These are images I've taken on my lab's TOPCON ABT-150 SEM, with either a Tungsten filament or a LaB6 filament. I find the SEM to be the most interesting techno-toy I've ever used, and I'm happy to get to use it almost every week at lab.
My Online Periodic Table
I have an element collection. It's nearly complete, and here I have a navigable periodic table where you can see pictures of my elemental samples and read some interesting tidbits about them. These tidbits include elemental characteristics, how the samples were obtained, stories related to those elements, etc.
Home-Grown Crystals
My results of growing crystals, mostly of water-soluble compounds using the evaporation method. In this method, one prepares a saturated solution of something by dissolving a whole lot of it until no more will dissolve. One then puts in a 'seed crystal' (from a previous growth), and transfer the solution & seed crystal ONLY to a new container every day for a week or two.This page also contains crystals of highly pure Bismuth grown by supercooling a pool of molten metal.
Fires & Explosions In Which I've Been Involved
Interesting exothermic reactions to which I have bared witness; perhaps even partaken in!
A Large Fractal Poster I Made
This poster is currently illuminated by RGB LED lights in my living room. I do intend on printing an RGB version (instead of CMYK from most printers), so it will respond better to the RGB LED light.
Unusually Stable Water Droplets on a Moving Surface
While polishing some samples at lab, I observed droplets of water remaining in place far longer than I have expected. I have yet to explain how a droplet of water can hold its shape for up to ten seconds on a rotating disc wetted with water. If you have an explanation, please let me know - I would be most interested to hear it!
Thin Films of Engine Oil
One foreign exchange student (affectinoately deemed "The Kaiser" by our lab staff) used to work on his BMW in our lab's parking lot, spilling car liquids everywhere. On one rainy day, he spilled a little engine oil, and it formed thin films that scattered rainbow bands of light all over the parking lot. This is the best I could capture them on a cloudy, rainy day.
Botched LaB6 SEM Filament
Our lab bought a fancy LaB6 filament for our SEM. Turns out it was defective - the company claimed it was an error in heat treatment or something. Looks to me like they forgot to grind the faces on it. Either way, check out how Lanthanum Hexaboride grows in perfectly rectangular sheets out of a single crystal.