Alt-BEAM Archive
Message #12121
To: beam@sgiblab.sgi.com
From: Meabadboy@aol.com
Date: Sun, 19 Mar 2000 01:53:08 EST
Subject: [alt-beam] Re: Aesthetics
In a message dated 3/19/2000 1:37:45 AM Eastern Standard Time,
andrew@best.net.nz writes:
<< I seem to remember that we used to use mercury to disolve silver
and gold, this was then painted on plates, cups and other items
as it was p[ainted the mercury would evaporate and leave the trace
of gold or silver.. it is conductive (dont stick them in the microwave)
>>
yes mercury will disolve gold ~ but ~ it is extreamly toxic to humans ~ the
term "mad hatter" was coined to those who used to use mercury in the making
of some men products in the late 1800's ~ it literally messes with the
nervous system of the body ~ they also used to use mercury or "quick silver"
to disolve gold in the gold rush days ~ they would pour it into a patato and
heat it to disolve the mercury ~ this would take the pannings or small flakes
and make a nuget of gold.
mercury will vaporise at low temps ~ usually will disapere at room temp in
just a few minutes.
if you do decide to play with this ~ make sure there is ample ventillation in
the work area (by ample i mean a good fan that will exhaust the fumes away
from you and out of your house !!!!) ~ also there are respirators available
at the local painting suply store or at an industrial saftey supply store
that will help with mercury vapor ~ check the lable on the box to see if it
will filter out mercury.
please also make sure young childern are no where near this while you are
playing with this.
12122 Sat, 18 Mar 2000 23:36:54 -0800 [alt-beam] Re: Aesthetics beam@corp.sgi.com = Justin =
Would look nice if wrapped around caps, or motors :)
any comments? (or criticisms?) :)
Just one - I don't think it will work :-)
First test - does photocopy toner actually conduct? Does it do so
without massive resistance? Neat idea, but I suspect Reality has other
ideas - photocopying would just be way Too Easy. Perhaps also look into
the possibility of conductive paint. I suspect it exists but is probably
not accessable/affordable. Ways to make our own could bring results. I
suspect a better method might be to put copper tape onto plastic and
etch it like a normal PCB.
Photocopy toner would not work as it is mostly (if not entirely) plastic.
But I have laid copper foil onto mylar sheet, ran it through my laser pri=
nter and etched it.
All worked well til I started soldering..... I did manage to finish the =
circuit (a Solar Eater II) by Stephen Bolt and yes it was flexible and neat=
and if I had left it alone would have lasted a long time I'm sure. Of cou=
rse I had to play with it and modify it a little.... Needless to say it st=
opped working after a while... Oh well.
Les
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----- Original Message -----
Sent: Saturday, March 18, 2000 6:5=
6 =
AM
Subject: [alt-beam] Re: Aesthetics=
Would look nice if wrapped around caps, or motors :)
any comm=
ents? =
(or criticisms?) :)
Just one - I don't think it will work :-)
F=
irst =
test - does photocopy toner actually conduct? Does it do so
without ma=
ssive =
resistance? Neat idea, but I suspect Reality has other
ideas - photoco=
pying =
would just be way Too Easy. Perhaps also look into
the possibility of =
conductive paint. I suspect it exists but is probably
not =
accessable/affordable. Ways to make our own could bring results. I
sus=
pect =
a better method might be to put copper tape onto plastic and
etch it l=
ike a =
normal PCB.
Photocopy toner would not work as it is mostly (if not entirely) =
plastic.
But I have laid copper foil onto mylar sheet, ran it through my lase=
r =
printer and etched it.
All worked well til I started =
soldering..... I did manage to finish the circuit (a Solar Eater II=
) by =
Stephen Bolt and yes it was flexible and neat and if I had left it alone =
would =
have lasted a long time I'm sure. Of course I had to play with it a=
nd =
modify it a little.... Needless to say it stopped working after a =
while... Oh well.
Les
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