Wired Magazine Article on Barriers to Amateur Science

Editor,

I read the Wired article when it came out ("Shawn Carlson Cited in Important Article About Amateur Science," The Citizen Scientist, 2 June 2006).

I only wish it were required reading for our legislators. On the other hand you can't completely fault law enforcement. Most of the chemicals that United Nuclear sells are pyrotechnic related. The article, as usual, leaves me with more questions that answers. What chemicals were involved and what exact law was violated? Sometimes it seems that law enforcement makes up their own laws.

While not really related to amateur science, if someone is interested in explosions and such, I would recommend they join The Pyrotechnics Guild International. Members of this organization legally build and set off some rather extreme fireworks. I have been to the public fireworks display of several of their conventions. They are truly awesome!

At one convention they launched a 36-inch diameter mortar shell. At the last convention they set off 1,000,000 firecrackers at one time. The display goes on for almost an hour.

Jim Hannon

For an updated list of legal, readily available chemicals and their sources, see Aaron Muderick's article in this issue of The Citizen Scientist. Editor.

Help Needed for a Magnetic Field Project

Editor,

I was referred to SAS in reference to the purchase of permalloy and mumetal.  I need a material to alter a magnetic field for a project I am working on. Any help or advice on this subject would be helpful. 

Thank you,

Dean Stogdill

Readers, can you help Dean? Please send suggestions here. Editor.

LABRat seeks Solar Power Advice

Hey, Dr. Shawn,

My science fair topic includes using a solar panel and five different colors. Did you know that you would need to have a few solar cells to get an electrical charge large enough to a house lighted? E-mail me when you get the time.

Your friend in science, [Name deleted] (future scientist)


Shawn Carlson Replies

Hey Future Scientist,

I am pleased and honored to have you as a member. You've made my entire week!

The question you need to answer is this, how much current does a solar cell produce per unit area. Think about getting different solar cells of different sizes and measure the current that can be produced from each with a constant, bright light source. Then plot the current output vs. the area of the cell. (You'll want to test at least three different sizes.)

What does this plot tell you? The power produced is the current times the voltage. Measure the voltage out of each cell as well and plot the power vs. area for a constant light source. Can you go from there to figure out how large a solar cell has to be in order to power a microwave oven at solar noon on a cloudless summer day?

Take care and happy hunting!

Dr. Shawn

In Love with Science Experiments

Dr. Shawn,

I LOVE these experiments!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

When my daughter gets home, I will have her write to you!

Shawn Carlson Replies

Thank you Jan, you've made my day!

I would be grateful to hear from your daughter.

Take care,

Dr. Shawn

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