Synthetic Fluorescent Rock: Synthilite II, Synth2.4 - UVc


From the basement lab comes this 3.5" wide specimen.

Salt, Aluminum Sulfate, Magnesium Sulfate, Sodium Metasilicate, Sulfur and a small amount of Sodium Hydroxide was combined with water and allowed to evaporate for a few days. This produced a thick viscous yellow liquid that easily formed small crystals.

This liquid formed the "base" for Synthilite II. This was put into an aluminum foil form. On top was sprinkled some sulfur and filings from a new US penny (zinc + copper).

After drying in the sun for a day, the sample was covered in foil and roasted over charcoal coals for about 4 hours. The resulting substance was a hard dry gray material with many air bubbles created by the aluminum sulfate expanding as it became aluminum hydroxide. The material melted quite easily from the heat of the MAPP gas torch resulting in a very hard white ceramic-like "rock". The rock fluoresced mostly blue.

It was then topped with a small pile of strontium carbonate + sulfur and lead (from lead sinker filings). The pile was then heated with the MAPP gas torch which caused it to ignite as the sulfur burned. As the heating continued, the pile grew more incandescent and then sunk into the rock.

Contains:
Strontium Sulfide ? (FL+PHOS!!! Blue/Green >UVabc)

Shown under UVc light.

Key:
WL = White light (halogen + LED)
FL = Fluoresces
PHOS = Phosphorescent
BL = 450nm (Blue LED),
UVa = 368nm (LW), UVb = 311nm (MW), UVc = 254nm (SW)
'>' = "stimulated by:", '!' = "bright", '~' = "dim"

Obtained from my "lab".

Synth2.4

Series best viewed in Light Box mode using Right and Left arrows to navigate.
Photostream best viewed in Lightbox mode (in the dark).

18 Watt Triple Output UV lamp from Polman Minerals - Way Too Cool UV lamps

Flickr page for this photo.

Visit the Eye for Science Flickr group.

Get the "Eye for Science" widget here and install it on your own blog. Spread the scienticity!

Like this image? Want it for your smartphone wallpaper?
Use this QR Code to load it on your smartphone and enjoy!