Hot enough for ya?

[wendybeth]

Seems the boys at Sandia labs were playing around with stuff, and managed to achieve a record high temp (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/11732814/) - the only problem is they have no idea how it happened. I'm not sure whether to be intrigued or frightened by this news.:rolleyes:

[€uroMeinke]

I want one

[Not Afraid]

I want one


Scientists produce gas more than 100 times hotter than the sun


We need a second bathroom.

[wendybeth]

Lol!! Tori is laughing, too. :D

[Kevy Baby]

It certainly would make for a short weenie roast.

[Gn2Dlnd]

Looks to me like it would roast any length weenie.

[SzczerbiakManiac]

Think of the s'mores one could make!

[Cadaverous Pallor]

Am I completely jaded or does this story sound like bullsht to anyone else? How could they contain something that hot? How do they measure it? It doesn't make sense.

[€uroMeinke]

Am I completely jaded or does this story sound like bullsht to anyone else? How could they contain something that hot? How do they measure it? It doesn't make sense.

the world's biggest thermometor - silly

[Ghoulish Delight]

the world's biggest thermometor - sillyI think I heard that Bun Boy closed.

[wendybeth]

Is anyone else disturbed by the thought that they have no real idea how they did it, or what to do to contain it? It's like the Manhattan Project- poor Fermi was really freaked when the reaction actually took off, and was not at all sure they could contain it. Theoretically (at the time), the reaction could have kept on going until every atom here on earth and elsewhere was consumed, yet they still gave it a shot. I get the feeling the same mindset is at work here.

[Not Afraid]

Wait! Which Dan Brown book is this again?

[€uroMeinke]

Well, at least if they do destroy the world - no one will be left to complain about them

[Kevy Baby]

Is anyone else disturbed by the thought that they have no real idea how they did it, or what to do to contain it? It's like the Manhattan Project- poor Fermi was really freaked when the reaction actually took off, and was not at all sure they could contain it. Theoretically (at the time), the reaction could have kept on going until every atom here on earth and elsewhere was consumed, yet they still gave it a shot. I get the feeling the same mindset is at work here.Yes, but many truly great discoveries are often "accidents"
Velcro
Crazy Glue
Scotchgard
Brandy
Potato chips
Safety glass
X-Rays
Insulin
Viagra
LSD
Penicillin

And of course THE most important accidental discovery: Popsicles

[Moonliner]

Am I completely jaded or does this story sound like bullsht to anyone else? How could they contain something that hot? How do they measure it? It doesn't make sense.

I don't know for sure about the 'Z machine' in the article, but in general the technique used to hold super-duper-really-hot-ouch-ouch plasma is a magnetic bubble. The plasma is formed inside a sphere of superconducting magnets that force the plasma to essentially float in the center.

As for recording the temp. I'm going wtih €'s really big thermometer. :)

For me the interesting part of the article is: "Also, when the high temperature was achieved, the Z machine was releasing more energy than was originally put in". Now that rocks! If we can use it to power our mp3 players, DVD's, and big screens then I say we take the chance of a run away reaction that fries the atmosphere. I don't go outside that much anyway.

[Ponine]

And of course THE most important accidental discovery: Popsicles
:eek: That was an accident? really? I was SURE that was on purpose.

[Cadaverous Pallor]

I don't go outside that much anyway.We're going to have to scorch the sky once the solar-powered machines take over anyway.

[Capt Jack]

from what I understand, the invention of vodka was also an accident. the original inventor was attempting to create a kerosine like fuel from potatoes....oddly enough the experiment failed and yet, he didnt seem to care. :D
(wives tale?)

[Kevy Baby]

At this link (http://www.exn.ca/Stories/2004/04/19/51.asp?t=dp), you can find the explanation for The Popsicle, Velcro, Post-Its, Scotchgard, Safety Glass, Cellophane, Vulcanized Rubber, X-Rays, and Penicillin.

This link (http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/cancer/discoveries.html) for Quinine, Smallpox vaccination, X-Rays (again), Allergy, Insulin, Pap Smear, and Penicillin again.

Viagra, LSD, Artificial Sweetners, Microwave ovens, Brandy, Silly Putty, and Potato chips were discussed here (http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/14.03/start.html?pg=3).

Liquid Paper was covered here (http://ideafinder.com/history/inventions/story046.htm).

Soda Water here (http://home.nycap.rr.com/useless/priestly/priestly.html).

There are several more links to be found here (http://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=accidental+discoveries&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8).

Didn't find anything on Vodka, but admittedly, I didn't search too hard.

[Prudence]

from what I understand, the invention of vodka was also an accident. the original inventor was attempting to create a kerosine like fuel from potatoes....oddly enough the experiment failed and yet, he didnt seem to care. :D
(wives tale?)

Gotta be a wives tale. Kerosene is what, 19th century? Vodka itself is pre-renaissance, I believe. I know that the Ketel One distillery is pre-1700.

Why do I know these things?

And why am I out of vodka?

[€uroMeinke]

Hmmm - Vodka still makes a good fuel (ethenol anyone?) but, it makes a much better Martini than Kerosene...

[alphabassettgrrl]

As far as the vodka goes, people will ferment anything that has sugar in it. Potatoes, carrots, palm sap...