Avocado vs high pressure nitrous oxide

Chris Agerton (http://www.youtube.com/user/cagerton) suggested that I try adding nitrous oxide bubbles to an avocado -- a wonderful idea since avocados are fatty, and the gas should readily dissolve in the fat. I placed some avocado slices in my pressure chamber and dispensed two nitrous cartridges into the chamber. I let it sit for about 7 hours. I then took the slices out, and reduced the pressure with a vacuum pump. Unfortunately, the avocado was resistant to the nitrous infusion process. I will try again with guacamole and shaking/stirring to encourage gas absorption.

Whipped chocolate made with high pressure nitrous oxide

I made some whipped chocolate by melting standard semi-sweet morsels, and applying nitrous oxide at 250 psi. I then dispensed the melted, gassified chocolate into a chilled vacuum chamber, then applied a vacuum to create large bubbles within the chocolate. I maintained the vacuum level while the chocolate solidified with the bubbles still intact. This process yields a dessert that is very low-density, and has a very pleasant airy texture.

Simple cloud chamber

A cloud chamber shows alpha particles being emitted from americium sources. The chamber works by creating a layer of supersaturated alcohol vapor which visualize the radation. The alpha particles trigger condensation in trails through the vapor cloud and show up as tiny droplet tracks. In this chamber, I have two alcohol-soaked pads above an aluminum plate that is cooled by dry ice. The pads emit alcohol vapor, which is cooled by the air above the aluminum plate to the point where it is colder than would normally by necessary to condense. The tiny radioactive particle pushes it over the edge to cause condensation, which is visible droplets.

Dissolving lithium in anhydrous ammonia

Here's an interesting reaction where lithium metal is dissolved in anhydrous ammonia. I placed a couple small pieces of lithium in a test tube, then connected the tube to a larger flask of ammonium hydroxide via silicone tubing. Upon heating the flask, gaseous ammonia will be produced which is condensed in the test tube by cooling it with a bath of alcohol and dry ice. The resulting solution is brilliant bronze in color, but at lower lithium concentrations, the solution is deep blue -- a very beautiful reaction.

Lithium sheet metal and zirconium powder

I found some interesting materials at a local fleamarket (http://www.electronicsfleamarket.com/): a canister of lithium sheet metal, and a bottle of fine zirconium powder (325 mesh). The zirconium is stored under water since the dry power can self-ignite, or may be ignited by static electricity or shock. Confusingly, the MSDS sheets say that dry zirconium powder must not be allowed near water, but http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifif it is to be stored, it must be completely submerged in water. I carefully dried a very small amount, and sprinkled it over a flame.

If you know of something interesting to do with these chemicals, please let me know.