Back Again

[gfish]

We have returned safely from the Columbia trip. Details and pictures later, but I can tell you that we decided the Greeks had it all wrong. The four elements are really steel, steam, aerogel and pykrete. Everything is made of various proportions of them, and anything that includes all four is, by definition, completely awesome.

Also, now that I have caught up with the news, OMGWTFNAWLINS??!?! This is what I get for being out of touch for 3 days. A major city is slated for destruction. Totally apocalyptic. I think I know where the next canoe trip will have to be.

Comments

[rowtree.livejournal.com]

Aerogel and pykrete...Yum!

Ode to aerogel

[gement.livejournal.com]

When I was working in the geophysics lab, we got a 2x2x6cm chunk of Aerogel as an unsolicited promotional sample.

We took turns marvelling at how finger moisture makes it sizzle but you can hold one end and blowtorch the other without feeling any heat, or even significantly melting the blowtorch end.

Also, I find its density and optical properties a bit hypnotic.

[xmurf.livejournal.com]

I'm highly annoyed; I was hoping to visit New Orleans when we're in Houston again...