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30 November 2001
Readers Respond
The Return of The Amateur Scientist
Dear Shawn,
I read with disbelief your sidebar explaining the disappearance of the Amateur Scientist, Mathematical Recreations, Connections, and Wonders columns from Scientific American. Those columns were exactly my favorite columns! Upon receiving an issue of the magazine I'd immediately flip to the back and read them in that order. I remember a few years ago discovering with amazement a compilation of AS columns from years past in the public library, detailing the home-brew construction of the very atom smashers and X-ray devices you mention. Scientific American without the Amateur Scientist column is no longer Scientific American; the "citizen scientist'' is an American tradition.
Your determination to continue the publishing of AS via the Society for Amateur Scientists is admirable. That alone earns you the gratitute of a huge community, both now and doubtlessly long into the future, and I eagerly look forward to the products of this newfound freedom from SA's content limitations. Furthermore, this exemplary grass-roots organisation might be just the kick that's needed to motivate others in the community (like me!) to publish their own interesting experiments or observations as well.
Anyway, I just wanted to say "Thanks" and express my support! I have a feeling that SA Magazine will soon see the error of its ways, too.
Tobin
UC Berkeley / Lunds Tekniska Högskola, Sweden
Electroluminescent Rectifier
Hello,
Several sources for carbon rods, as used in the electroluminescent rectifier article by Norman Stanley, would be a well stocked welding supply store, an electric motor repair business, or maybe a radio controlled model / hobby store.
Copper plated carbon rods are used with "stick" arc welders as a metal cutting implement. Removing the copper plating from the rods is left as an exercise for the reader. In this application, the plating might even be useful. The cost will be very low, shape of electrodes will be round, and the sizes will be quarter inch diameter, maybe a foot long.
Electric motors of the commutated type use carbon "brushes" to transmit current to the rotating armature. A motor repair house might give you cracked or worn brushes for free. The cost of new brushes is high, the shapes will be vaguely brick like and will vary from thumb size up to brick size.
R/C model cars and aircraft that use electric motors typically use expensive little rebuildable motors. A chain store might carry the tiny little carbon brushes, but the clerks won't have a clue what they're used for. A serious R/C store will have motor technicians who could give you broken or worn brushes, or could help you select a large brush to fit you needs. Cost for new brushes will be in the ten dollar range, shape will be brick like, and size will be smaller than your pinky finger.
Thanks!
Vince Mulhollon
Where to Purchase a Spectroscope?
Hi Nancy,
I am a SAS member and I was wondering if you, or anyone, is aware of where I can purchase a spectroscope. I also don't mind buying a used one as long as it is in could shape. Thank you.
