I experiment with zinc oxide in a vacuum chamber, and answer your questions from the previous video. If this format is successful, I'll do another Q/A session in the future.
Someone posted a questions about college, then deleted their question as I was answering it! Here's what I wrote: I started at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, then transferred to UCSB. Cal Poly wasn't a huge inspiration for me, but the real reason for the transfer was that I was following a girlfriend. It wasn't the best idea that I've ever had. Luckily, I liked Santa Barbara better anyway, and UCSB was a much better fit for me because the mechanical engineering major was smaller in relation to the overall school size (more personalized help). I also found friends that I had more in common with, and generally had a better time. Don't obsess about choice of school. Unless you want to be a politician or join an Old Boys club, your choice of school will have little impact on your employment path. Choose a school that fits your personality, your desired locale, and your budget. There is no reason to rack up huge debt unless you have to. Every school will provide opportunities for networking -- make full use of them! Do projects whether they are required by the school or not. Find friends, or complete projects on your own. Having a portfolio of stuff that you've built will make you *much* more valuable to prospective employers.
Cal Poly BSEE graduate here. Cal Poly is known for offering a lot of practical coursework while schools in the more research-oriented UC system are generally known for emphasizing mathematics and theory. I don't know how long you attended Cal Poly, but did your experience give you an impression on any differences in how hands-on the two curriculum were? Another question: you seem to me like the sort of person who could have been successful in a technical career without the need for a college degree (like Jeri). Did you ever consider forgoing your education and instead becoming an entrepreneur?
Spencer Williams I only spent my first two college years at Cal Poly, so much of that work was general education requirements and lower-division classes. The real differentiator would probably be the upper division work, which I didn't do there. I initially chose Cal Poly specifically because of their "hands-on" mantra. I've always felt that being hands-on is the best way to learn things, and though it would be a good fit. My biggest complaint was that Cal Poly was super overcrowded -- getting classes was very difficult. It was normal that engineering majors would take 5 years to get an undergrad degree because of difficulty registering for over-full classes. There were *so* many MEs at Cal Poly that getting any sort of personalized help was impossible. The admin staff could not possibly know everybody. In general, I was not impressed by the caliber of the average Cal Poly student, though there were a few great folks that I met. At UCSB, the ME advisers knew most people in the major and almost all seniors by name. Registering for classes was not difficult at all -- they would make sure everyone got the classes that they needed to stay on track. Even though individual class size was larger at UCSB, the overall major class was smaller (ie only about 80 MEs in my year). This helps much more when generating a sense of community. There were something like 1000 MEs in my year at Cal Poly. We had hands-on labs at UCSB. They were OK. You'd probably learn much more by exploring stuff on your own, but for folks that normally don't learn things on their own, the labs were done well. I very often considered skipping college, but the problem is that many employers absolutely require a BS or higher. Initially, I ran my own business, so it didn't matter to me, but I knew that I would probably want to work somewhere else at some point, and having a degree may allow that to happen, or may provide an automatic salary boost. It really is unfortunate, but degrees have become a sort of arms race, and you have just to stockpile to keep up with everyone else as long as employers use degrees as a measuring tool. If you are sure you'll always work for yourself and never for anyone else, then you can safely skip it, but that's a difficult thing to estimate.
Hi, Love your channel, would love to have the time to spend on all the projects you do, how much time a week do you allocate to your "projects" . I also agree with your comments on college, and how it has become not much more than something you collect as part of the "Tick box" process for job recruiting :( I certainly feel that one useful variation to the entry requirements for any "advanced degree" ... masters ... PHD etc should be that after a BS you HAVE to work in industry ( any industry ) for at least 2 years before you can be accepted to further programs. ... I really think that would filter out a lot of wasted "study" effort.
Applied Science Love your channel Ben...its inspiring me to convert some part of my garage into a "Lab". I went graduated from UCSB with BS Physics in late 80's. "Theory & Math" was perfect for that discipline. But I often looked over at Engineering, and at Materials Science Lab (just built) with much wistfulness. We did get some time in machine shop - Physics grad students even more. If I had it to do over again, ME/EE would have been so much more satisfying. Im impressed with how well you know the fundamentals Ben. You definitely deserve the title of Applied Science. Thank you for your efforts! Shelley
Dictionary definition for Ben - “A master in the art of living draws no sharp distinction between his work and his play; his labor and his leisure; his mind and his body; his education and his recreation. He hardly knows which is which. He simply pursues his vision of excellence through whatever he is doing, and leaves others to determine whether he is working or playing. To himself, he always appears to be doing both.”
Thank you. I agree that the quote describes what I strive to be. However, it's funny that by today's standards, it would be considered a poor work/life balance, and probably unhealthy.
justfakeit888 Hmm, good point. I bought the car in 1999, so it's purchase is a fairly distant memory. It also cost less than a new Civic does today. Although, it's true that I've spent a fair bit maintaining it -- mostly hours but dollars too.
oisiaa I don't know if you could survive without a car anywhere in the US. But it is the number one money saver if you manage to not own one. Here in Austria statistically you work 3 month out of a year just to have a car (considering purchase, repairs, spares, fuel and insurance). So not having a car means 3 month of vacation and still have the same amount of money as other people for all the other stuff.
I just think it's awesome that you actually daily drive it. I'm sure there are a lot still around, but probably very few get daily driven. So kudos to that.
The next best way to end up with loads of disposable income is to literally work your arse off. I'm working 84.5 hours this week. No time to spend anything! In fact I'm doomed to have any time off to buy anything for Christmas. Gulp. That said, I'm actually working Christmas day. I will not be the popular one in my family this year.
I feel like you are doing what I would be, had I made better choices in my life. I am now 33 and finally realize, your work shown here is where my passion lies. Thank you for the videos. You are well spoken and it is evident you spend allot of time thinking on how to convey your knowledge thoroughly and effectively. I "Like" all your videos even before I watch them...
Hi Ben, I am very intrigued by your comments about the way education is administered. And I would enjoy listening to you do an entire video about the subject, even if you have to create a secondary channel called Ben's Chat Channel to appease viewers who expect to see physical projects. Thanks! Bryan
Ben, I think all of your videos are interesting and worthwhile, I really enjoyed the question answer video as you answered a lot of the questions that I probably would have asked. I built my own laser cutter, the hardest part is mirror alignment, which isn't overly challenging. A 135 watt 800x600 laser cutter has cost around $3-4000 AUD, you essentially get it in kit form and perform some minor adjustments and wiring. Good luck!
Out of all the channels on RUclips, yours is probably one of my top favorites, easily within the top 5. Not only are you able to explain things very well, your voice has this contagious aura of both curiosity and enthusiasm which makes everything that much better. I am hooked on your channel and every time I see you have a new video, I have to watch it. Also, I think it might be interesting to see if you can design a laser cutter... Speaking of lasers...perhaps you can put that ruby laser project to use and make a laser bug zapper...
What would make an *absolutely awesome* video would be showing us your vacuum chamber, how you built it, how turbomolecular and diffusion vacuum pumps work and how you hooked them up and why, and maybie little things like where you found the giant glass dome, and your recommendations to build one cheaply with a mechanical pump, and maybie demonstrate simple interesting experiments you can do with one (plasma, dessication, simple sputtering... *:)* ). That would be really awesome, I'm struggling to find a cheap vacuum pump that will have no issue with having organic solvents and water being pumped through them (teflon coated ones are expensive).
I always knew you had some kind of background in engineering, and really none of this surprises me at all. It's your ability to convey information in a way that even a layman like myself can receive, process and digest that information into something I can apply to some project I may be working on that's, honestly, outside my comfort zone at the very least sometimes. So thank you Ben for passing along such a wealth of knowledge and giving ppl like me the inspiration to try things that, otherwise, would have been too far outside of my scope of understanding to even know where to begin. So thank you again Ben. Hopefully you are doing well and keeping safe and healthy during these crazy times!
Love the Q&A Ben. Your videos always rock! You provide an excellent mix fascinating and informative topics; each offering something new to learn. I check your channel every day for new vids. Thank you for this great public service and keep on kicking ass!
I thought I was a "Mad Scientist" always down in the shop doing something wild like, just to do it, or see if I can do it. But I can't hold a candle to Ben, this guy is the man.
Please keep doing more Q/A stuff! I think it would be an interesting format where users propose questions and projects which you could use your knowledge, skills, and lab, to answer those questions and investigate those projects. It was nice to learn some of your background for a change (compared to all the great science based videos). I Can't wait to see that completed Xray machine! Keep up the good work!
I grew up with my dad having a shop and always taking stuff apart and fixing it if I could or at least learning what I could. I am glad to know I am not alone and I wish that the love of leaning in a hands on way (along with good research) could be a part of growing up for everyone, and your videos encourage us all to get out there and build and learn. Thank you!
Cool video, I would love to hear more Q&A. I have only recently subbed so I'm still catching up on some of the older videos, but so far I'm loving how in depth everything is, and how much knowledge you have. Thanks for all your hard work making the videos!
Your comments about waterjet vs laser got my attention, I have been programming, operating, and maintaining a waterjet for a little over 3 years now. I can tell you while they are very cool machines lasers have it all over the waterjet. Lasers are considerably faster on nearly all material, they have an extremely small kerf and with the a very high level of accuracy, they are able to fit in a much smaller footprint, and are much cleaner. Now where a waterjet shines I suspect may not be relevant for you, the big limiting factor of a laser is the material thickness they can cut, I cannot remember where exactly they limit out but a waterjet (at least the particular machine I run) can cut up to 8" thick stainless steel, however at that thickness it is crawling, the other place a waterjet has the upper hand is not creating a heat effected zone in the material your cutting, this can come in handy when dealing with certain materials. They both certainly offer both advantages and disadvantages, I would not complain one little bit if I could get one setup in my garage :D If you happen to have any questions about waterjets please by all means shoot me a message, I'd be happy to discuss it with you, and thank you for the time and effort you put into all your videos!
Enjoyed your answers! Note that if you get a laser cutter you'll need a dedicated air ventilation system, probably with an exhaust filter. The burnt/vaporized materials, such as metal or plastic, aren't very healthy, and they stink really bad. No filtration might get you some complaints from the neighbors.
I really love this channel because it makes applied science and science a lot more real and understandable to a lot of people. I personally have learned a lot I never learned in class right here on this channel
Just a heads up. Don't just jump, without thinking, in having the State meddle with your lab. Once you get the certification for x-ray equipment your now married to the government. You'll then have to be investigated annually to determine compliance, proficiency and safety. If you fail there are hefty fines and you know that government is in the fining business.
I was also skeptical about having someone come and "inspect" your home lab, especially in California. You could probably get away with a lot more in other, not-so-nanny, states.
Thanks a lot for getting your work out here for us to see. It's really informative and interesting watching and listening as you do all sorts of very cool projects. Not to mention inspiring to give this or that a go.
As a kid I always wanted a SEM when I grew up. I have always found them fascinating with their 3D microscopic imaging and really takes the microscopic world into an all new view. I also like how you made that supercritical Co2 chamber where you can view how the liquid and gas phases merge as the critical temperature and pressure is reached.
It was fun to hear about you and your background! Your videos are great, and I like that you read all your comments. I hope you do another Q&A. I meant to ask a question but didn't get around to it in time.
I loved the SEM stuff but was already a subscriber as far as I remember, and of all the channels I follow you're one of the few where I genuinely feel delighted to see footage so please, safety first! :D
Thank you Ben for further showing the zinc oxide experiment. The Q and A was very interesting as well. I see your point in 3D printing for home users and it wouldn't have much use for them. I have this small dream of creating robots that can clean and put stuff back in my really messy apartment and I would see a 3D printer very useful for creating different grab mechanism. Well that is only a dream. I'm still stuck with various website projects and finding a job. The critical things that must be done seams to pile up and the dream I would like to do that doesn't make any money seams to be always further away in the future.
I have a laser cutter in my garage and I have to say it is my most useful tool. It is so much faster than my 3D printer for getting results. I make PCB's on it and have modified it to cut at 45 degrees for optical reasons. You would really enjoy owning one.
Thanks for the Q/A, Ben. I'm a long-time fan and subscriber. I think I first discovered your videos when you were exploring weird food processing like freeze dried ice cream, gas infused chocolates and such. Q/As are cool, but don't let 'em stop the SCIENCE!
About the Zinc Oxide heating... when you heat it in a vaccum, where do the oxygen go? In the atmosphere near it... so when it cools the oxygen must be close enough to be quickly reabsorbed.
I agree on the laser cutter, very useful. CNC I do not see much use for, better to learn how to use the lathe and mill unless you are going to make multiple parts full time, which CNC is good at. I am looking for a good used small mill or a combination machine to use, just the lathe itself is very limiting, but a whole lot better than hand turning. for one offs or even the odd dozen parts just knowing how to do it yourself is good, and it helps to know some good machinists who are willing to give tips on the difficult parts. additive manufacture is incredible, but currently it is limited for the consumer and low end side. Top end it has no equal.
Ben: I simply love your videos, you are inspirational for your "get in there and have a go, with a lot of thought" attitude. You also come across as such a decent nice guy, whom it would be great to have a beer with, or maybe more likely, trying to make something with :) We are all very lucky that you put so much effort into these, and I'm sure will have single handedly inspired many many people. Well done, and thank you, and may your work not be done, for a very very very long time :)
I liked the Q&A style but I have to say I would miss the old style of videos. Your channel has been great in my life because now I know I want to be an engineer. I'm currently a sophomore at BYUI. Thanks for the amazing videos!!!
Hi Ben, I love to watch you build stuff for the sake of it and your maker-skills are impressive, but what can you think of to put these skills to an even better use? A DIY windmill to make clean energy, a desease test on a paper stamp, instructions for agricultural machines to end world hunger? Yes these were done by other makers, but they might inspire you like they have inspired me. Without pressure to post the solution in the next video, which big problem would you like to solve?
Ben, I'm not a scientist... but you make science cool demonstrating your projects making it worth watching and reconnecting how science touches all of us everyday..
Yay! My question about your racecar got answered. How about a video about your car. In addition, of course, to some video of your cleanest laps this coming year.
Thanks for the answers!! Big fan of your work. Could you do a video or three on hydrodynamic sensors? Or how scientists are using biology as inspiration for new sensors or devices? Thanks!
Hey Ben! I just found your channel not so long ago, i'm very thankful for your videos. It's very good that you explain how things works, most of them very understandable even for me, and they are intresting. Also seeing your creativity amazes me always:)) So keep up the good work, it's awesome!
So glad you make that video's! I wish i could use that tools, materials and broken electronics. Its sure oké to use that luck to teach to everyone who takes interest and want to learn
Yes the Q/A format is a good thing every now and then, definitely. Can you do a video on flow batteries, zinc bromide, i'm really interested in them for an off grid homestead type scenario, thanks.
***** Li batteries might be cheaper to buy up front, but NiFe batteries are probably the best going with their practically infinite life. They can take a near total discharge with no damage. The three downsides are a higher up front cost, weight, and a small percentage loss in stored energy per day. The weight doesn't matter in a fixed installation, and the small loss per day doesn't matter if they're regularly topped up with an excess energy supply, e.g. occasional sunny days. www.nickel-iron-battery.com/ You can buy them at places like ironedison.com/ or possibly get them cheaper direct from China if you look around Alibaba or whatnot.
Mark Rose I know about NiFe and they have multiple problems. Just to mention a few that where not ok for my application. They have bad charge discharge efficiency so I need more solar PV panels than with Lithium usually over 95% efficiency. Then there is the gas generation same as Lead Acid and need venting. Venting will not have been possible in my cold climate with temperature frequently below -40C. Low temperature will drop the efficiency so much that the batteries will become useless. Heating the battery is not possible (not practical) do to venting requirement that heating energy will have been much higher than what you can store on the cells. A lithium battery dose not need any sort of venting it can be placed inside the house at a nice temperature and can last for thousands of deep cycles so in excess of 10 years. Lithium battery is a much, much newer technology that both NiFe and Lead Acid so if any of those older technologies will have had any advantages over Lithium it will have been used on a much larger scale. NiFe is almost inexistent and Lead Acid was inexpensive and good enough for car starting applications with just a few % DOD. For stationary energy storage there is nothing better than LiFePO4 or LiCoO2 charged at 3.95V. My LiFePO4 has just under 2 years of daily heavy use between 50% to 85% DOD but it is still as new with no detectable loss on capacity. I'm sure it will easily last for 10 years in my application with absolutely no maintenance.
I know its a long shot, but an interesting subject to cover would be Nitrogen scrubbing, I have a stirling cooler and i have been waiting for nearly 2 years for a cheap enough scrub to employ in my dry nitrogen liquid generator, I'm sure there is a way, the old fashioned way to scrub the nitrogen, thats more affordable for 'home shoppers' to make. would be an interesting project. cheers.
Will you do more video's on the Cryogenic refrigerator? I would like to see you build one from scratch, or some other easily accessible way of Cryogenic refrigeration.
I would note that zinc oxide sublimes rather easily, even Zinc has a remarkably low melting point. I have grown crystals of ZnO with little more than a cold sheet of metal, ZnO powder and a blowtorch. I imagine as oxygen left zinc atoms would start to migrate through the solid and escape, keeping the Zn/O ratio not too far out of sync.
Hey Ben. You said that you read all your comments, so i figured i'd drop a line. I've been subscribed to you for a good while now and i really enjoy your videos. It's become a sort of communal experience for my girlfriend and i. We watch all your videos together. In fact i go out of my way to promote your stuff to those my friends and acquaintances who are even slightly in to science and technology, and everyone agrees the world needs more Krasnaw :D You truly have a unique Hard science/Entertainment thing going on. Okay See ya next time Bye
Ben if you could do some project with Super amphiphobic material (Both hydrophobic and oleophobic materials-contact angle of more than 150 degree) ..something as a coating which can be applied on to surfaces...i have been working on it (silica and DCDMS Silane) yet it wasnt upto the mark..also incorporating the same in any binder is difficult...it can be a lot of fun.
My technical science question still stands: why do green dry erase markers smell when the other colors don't? I think green Sharpies also smell a lot more pungent than the other colors. Googling just gives other people asking the same question.
Whatever solvent is necessary to make green pigment dissolve is more pungent. check the MSDS for each colour - the manufacturer has to tell you what's in them -- from there you can find which ingredient(s) have the smell by checking them on wiki.
Laser cutters are great and incredibly fast to make 2D stuff (brackets and whatnot) with. You should consider a Chinese machine if you don't mind servicing once in a while. IMO they are almost much as good as a Trotec or an Epilog for cutting, not engraving though, but I figure you might not be engraving much? You can get a 150w machine for around 6k, a good brand is G.Weike.
Could you comment on the Open Source Ecology project? For example, what do you think of their "life-size Erector set" approach? What could they do to continue with or come closer to that goal? What do you think of their Global Village Construction Set? Are there things you'd add or replace?
Zinc Oxide: One other experiment instead of Vacuum, backfill with another gas: Nitrogen, Argon, Hydrogen, then reheat. The gas should help with the heat transfer issue, and probably help flush out the Oxgen.
Instead of doing the zinc oxide in vacuum, how about doing it in a noble gas environment such as argon? That would probably solve the thermal conductivity issue as well as the adhering oxygen issue.
Definitely compete with universities. For one thing, choice benefits students. But for another, competition will force universities to get better, too. Kill two birds with one strategy...
Not this one! In 24 Hours of Lemons, the maximum value of the car is $500! In reality, the safety gear and entry/travel/transportation expenses end up being much more, but it's still the cheapest way to get track time. Everyone drives like their car is worth $500 too, so there's quite a bit of contact and scary driving. Fun!
Thanks for answering! I was not aware that was the type of event you were talking about. I did not know that was what you meant. That does sound like fun! Thanks for posting these videos. Your channel is fascinating.
What are you thinkig of building a atomic force microscope? Would suit for vacuum operation, cryogenic, pushing atoms around... and afterall is a relative cheap build. I would love to see your approach on this!
I need to watch your CT scanner video... LOL I was wondering if someone would nail you for shielding. I work with and repair medical imaging equipment. Plain film and CT scanners. Thats no small feat to build one even a simple one. I want a small plain film xray system or Fluoro system. Nice to see how things are assembled inside sealed boxes.
Which mirrors did you use for the ruby laser? Normally, the mirrors are coated right on the ends of the ruby but you have used external mirrors. Where did you buy the mirrors from? thanks
Have you considered doing a collaboration video with other RUclipsrs like Destin from SmarterEveryDay or even Vsauce, Veritasium, etc...? I think a lot of "pop" science fans would like your applied science.
Hey Ben! I have a bit of an odd question but seeing the wide variety of your projects I thought you might know. So what I was wondering is where I could buy some Bacillus Parteurii.
Love your videos and how nicely you go through your process, its actually helped me conceive my ideas in a more practical fashion. Also, if you are recruiting, I'd be more than happy to talk about what I could contribute haha
I wonder if its possible to make a IR lidar absorbing paint/clear laquer like the insainly expensive product "veil stealth coating" the lidar here in Norway is 905nm. i am thinking something like cadmium selenide nano particles or exfoliated calsium copper tetrasilicate.CaCuSi4O10 i think your channel rocks and is together with nurdrage the only ones capable of pouling this of.
Is there any possibility that you could make a Yttrium-Barium-Copper-Oxide superconductor in the near future? I'd like to see how those are made, since you can make them stably hover above rare Earth magnets while at relatively high temperatures.
It's always nice when "The Bureaucracy" actually offers to help instead of just bringing a hammer down upon you.
Someone posted a questions about college, then deleted their question as I was answering it! Here's what I wrote:
I started at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, then transferred to UCSB. Cal Poly wasn't a huge inspiration for me, but the real reason for the transfer was that I was following a girlfriend. It wasn't the best idea that I've ever had. Luckily, I liked Santa Barbara better anyway, and UCSB was a much better fit for me because the mechanical engineering major was smaller in relation to the overall school size (more personalized help). I also found friends that I had more in common with, and generally had a better time.
Don't obsess about choice of school. Unless you want to be a politician or join an Old Boys club, your choice of school will have little impact on your employment path. Choose a school that fits your personality, your desired locale, and your budget. There is no reason to rack up huge debt unless you have to. Every school will provide opportunities for networking -- make full use of them! Do projects whether they are required by the school or not. Find friends, or complete projects on your own. Having a portfolio of stuff that you've built will make you *much* more valuable to prospective employers.
Cal Poly BSEE graduate here. Cal Poly is known for offering a lot of practical coursework while schools in the more research-oriented UC system are generally known for emphasizing mathematics and theory. I don't know how long you attended Cal Poly, but did your experience give you an impression on any differences in how hands-on the two curriculum were?
Another question: you seem to me like the sort of person who could have been successful in a technical career without the need for a college degree (like Jeri). Did you ever consider forgoing your education and instead becoming an entrepreneur?
Spencer Williams I only spent my first two college years at Cal Poly, so much of that work was general education requirements and lower-division classes. The real differentiator would probably be the upper division work, which I didn't do there. I initially chose Cal Poly specifically because of their "hands-on" mantra. I've always felt that being hands-on is the best way to learn things, and though it would be a good fit. My biggest complaint was that Cal Poly was super overcrowded -- getting classes was very difficult. It was normal that engineering majors would take 5 years to get an undergrad degree because of difficulty registering for over-full classes. There were *so* many MEs at Cal Poly that getting any sort of personalized help was impossible. The admin staff could not possibly know everybody. In general, I was not impressed by the caliber of the average Cal Poly student, though there were a few great folks that I met.
At UCSB, the ME advisers knew most people in the major and almost all seniors by name. Registering for classes was not difficult at all -- they would make sure everyone got the classes that they needed to stay on track. Even though individual class size was larger at UCSB, the overall major class was smaller (ie only about 80 MEs in my year). This helps much more when generating a sense of community. There were something like 1000 MEs in my year at Cal Poly.
We had hands-on labs at UCSB. They were OK. You'd probably learn much more by exploring stuff on your own, but for folks that normally don't learn things on their own, the labs were done well.
I very often considered skipping college, but the problem is that many employers absolutely require a BS or higher. Initially, I ran my own business, so it didn't matter to me, but I knew that I would probably want to work somewhere else at some point, and having a degree may allow that to happen, or may provide an automatic salary boost. It really is unfortunate, but degrees have become a sort of arms race, and you have just to stockpile to keep up with everyone else as long as employers use degrees as a measuring tool. If you are sure you'll always work for yourself and never for anyone else, then you can safely skip it, but that's a difficult thing to estimate.
following a gf, hahahah that was interesting. love your channel and honest answers.
Hi, Love your channel, would love to have the time to spend on all the projects you do, how much time a week do you allocate to your "projects" .
I also agree with your comments on college, and how it has become not much more than something you collect as part of the "Tick box" process for job recruiting :(
I certainly feel that one useful variation to the entry requirements for any "advanced degree" ... masters ... PHD etc should be that after a BS you HAVE to work in industry ( any industry ) for at least 2 years before you can be accepted to further programs. ... I really think that would filter out a lot of wasted "study" effort.
Applied Science
Love your channel Ben...its inspiring me to convert some part of my garage into a "Lab".
I went graduated from UCSB with BS Physics in late 80's. "Theory & Math" was perfect for that discipline. But I often looked over at Engineering, and at Materials Science Lab (just built) with much wistfulness. We did get some time in machine shop - Physics grad students even more.
If I had it to do over again, ME/EE would have been so much more satisfying.
Im impressed with how well you know the fundamentals Ben. You definitely deserve the title of Applied Science.
Thank you for your efforts!
Shelley
Dictionary definition for Ben - “A master in the art of living draws no sharp distinction between his work and his play; his labor and his leisure; his mind and his body; his education and his recreation. He hardly knows which is which. He simply pursues his vision of excellence through whatever he is doing, and leaves others to determine whether he is working or playing. To himself, he always appears to be doing both.”
Thank you. I agree that the quote describes what I strive to be. However, it's funny that by today's standards, it would be considered a poor work/life balance, and probably unhealthy.
I want to be a Ben.
Claude Shannon was like that.
Great episode Ben! I find the similarity in thought patterns amazing.
Major kudos on not driving a fancy car. That's the #1 way to have tons of extra disposable income.
I don't know if I can say that a delorean isn't fancy. It's old sure, but so rare and well know, in a way, it is.
justfakeit888
Hmm, good point. I bought the car in 1999, so it's purchase is a fairly distant memory. It also cost less than a new Civic does today. Although, it's true that I've spent a fair bit maintaining it -- mostly hours but dollars too.
oisiaa
I don't know if you could survive without a car anywhere in the US. But it is the number one money saver if you manage to not own one. Here in Austria statistically you work 3 month out of a year just to have a car (considering purchase, repairs, spares, fuel and insurance). So not having a car means 3 month of vacation and still have the same amount of money as other people for all the other stuff.
I just think it's awesome that you actually daily drive it. I'm sure there are a lot still around, but probably very few get daily driven. So kudos to that.
The next best way to end up with loads of disposable income is to literally work your arse off. I'm working 84.5 hours this week. No time to spend anything! In fact I'm doomed to have any time off to buy anything for Christmas. Gulp. That said, I'm actually working Christmas day. I will not be the popular one in my family this year.
Valve and Google X. You are someone I look up to!
I feel like you are doing what I would be, had I made better choices in my life. I am now 33 and finally realize, your work shown here is where my passion lies. Thank you for the videos. You are well spoken and it is evident you spend allot of time thinking on how to convey your knowledge thoroughly and effectively. I "Like" all your videos even before I watch them...
Hi Ben, I am very intrigued by your comments about the way education is administered. And I would enjoy listening to you do an entire video about the subject, even if you have to create a secondary channel called Ben's Chat Channel to appease viewers who expect to see physical projects.
Thanks!
Bryan
Ben, I think all of your videos are interesting and worthwhile, I really enjoyed the question answer video as you answered a lot of the questions that I probably would have asked. I built my own laser cutter, the hardest part is mirror alignment, which isn't overly challenging. A 135 watt 800x600 laser cutter has cost around $3-4000 AUD, you essentially get it in kit form and perform some minor adjustments and wiring. Good luck!
Out of all the channels on RUclips, yours is probably one of my top favorites, easily within the top 5.
Not only are you able to explain things very well, your voice has this contagious aura of both curiosity and enthusiasm which makes everything that much better.
I am hooked on your channel and every time I see you have a new video, I have to watch it.
Also, I think it might be interesting to see if you can design a laser cutter...
Speaking of lasers...perhaps you can put that ruby laser project to use and make a laser bug zapper...
You seem like such a nice person :)
What would make an *absolutely awesome* video would be showing us your vacuum chamber, how you built it, how turbomolecular and diffusion vacuum pumps work and how you hooked them up and why, and maybie little things like where you found the giant glass dome, and your recommendations to build one cheaply with a mechanical pump, and maybie demonstrate simple interesting experiments you can do with one (plasma, dessication, simple sputtering... *:)* ).
That would be really awesome, I'm struggling to find a cheap vacuum pump that will have no issue with having organic solvents and water being pumped through them (teflon coated ones are expensive).
I always knew you had some kind of background in engineering, and really none of this surprises me at all. It's your ability to convey information in a way that even a layman like myself can receive, process and digest that information into something I can apply to some project I may be working on that's, honestly, outside my comfort zone at the very least sometimes. So thank you Ben for passing along such a wealth of knowledge and giving ppl like me the inspiration to try things that, otherwise, would have been too far outside of my scope of understanding to even know where to begin. So thank you again Ben. Hopefully you are doing well and keeping safe and healthy during these crazy times!
I follow you for years. You are my true hero and example
Good Q&A. I recently gave the same advice re building stuff as a career aid. It shows not only your ability but also a passion.
Love the Q&A Ben. Your videos always rock! You provide an excellent mix fascinating and informative topics; each offering something new to learn. I check your channel every day for new vids. Thank you for this great public service and keep on kicking ass!
I thought I was a "Mad Scientist" always down in the shop doing something wild like, just to do it, or see if I can do it. But I can't hold a candle to Ben, this guy is the man.
Please keep doing more Q/A stuff! I think it would be an interesting format where users propose questions and projects which you could use your knowledge, skills, and lab, to answer those questions and investigate those projects.
It was nice to learn some of your background for a change (compared to all the great science based videos).
I Can't wait to see that completed Xray machine!
Keep up the good work!
I grew up with my dad having a shop and always taking stuff apart and fixing it if I could or at least learning what I could. I am glad to know I am not alone and I wish that the love of leaning in a hands on way (along with good research) could be a part of growing up for everyone, and your videos encourage us all to get out there and build and learn. Thank you!
Cool video, I would love to hear more Q&A. I have only recently subbed so I'm still catching up on some of the older videos, but so far I'm loving how in depth everything is, and how much knowledge you have. Thanks for all your hard work making the videos!
Your comments about waterjet vs laser got my attention, I have been programming, operating, and maintaining a waterjet for a little over 3 years now. I can tell you while they are very cool machines lasers have it all over the waterjet. Lasers are considerably faster on nearly all material, they have an extremely small kerf and with the a very high level of accuracy, they are able to fit in a much smaller footprint, and are much cleaner. Now where a waterjet shines I suspect may not be relevant for you, the big limiting factor of a laser is the material thickness they can cut, I cannot remember where exactly they limit out but a waterjet (at least the particular machine I run) can cut up to 8" thick stainless steel, however at that thickness it is crawling, the other place a waterjet has the upper hand is not creating a heat effected zone in the material your cutting, this can come in handy when dealing with certain materials. They both certainly offer both advantages and disadvantages, I would not complain one little bit if I could get one setup in my garage :D If you happen to have any questions about waterjets please by all means shoot me a message, I'd be happy to discuss it with you, and thank you for the time and effort you put into all your videos!
Enjoyed your answers!
Note that if you get a laser cutter you'll need a dedicated air ventilation system, probably with an exhaust filter. The burnt/vaporized materials, such as metal or plastic, aren't very healthy, and they stink really bad. No filtration might get you some complaints from the neighbors.
I have a big respect for smart people. I greatly enjoy your channel.
I really love this channel because it makes applied science and science a lot more real and understandable to a lot of people. I personally have learned a lot I never learned in class right here on this channel
Just a heads up. Don't just jump, without thinking, in having the State meddle with your lab. Once you get the certification for x-ray equipment your now married to the government. You'll then have to be investigated annually to determine compliance, proficiency and safety. If you fail there are hefty fines and you know that government is in the fining business.
I was also skeptical about having someone come and "inspect" your home lab, especially in California. You could probably get away with a lot more in other, not-so-nanny, states.
You're an inspiration ben. Keep it up. Q&A videos are cool too. They act as bridges between you and your audience
Thanks a lot for getting your work out here for us to see. It's really informative and interesting watching and listening as you do all sorts of very cool projects. Not to mention inspiring to give this or that a go.
Nice video, you're so kind, was a pleasure to watch :)
Keep it up with the good job,
greetings from Italy!
As a kid I always wanted a SEM when I grew up. I have always found them fascinating with their 3D microscopic imaging and really takes the microscopic world into an all new view. I also like how you made that supercritical Co2 chamber where you can view how the liquid and gas phases merge as the critical temperature and pressure is reached.
It was fun to hear about you and your background! Your videos are great, and I like that you read all your comments. I hope you do another Q&A. I meant to ask a question but didn't get around to it in time.
I've been wanting to hear some of this information about you for a while. Thanks for the nice introduction.
Thank you Ben, you`re great. Good luck with your projects.
I loved the SEM stuff but was already a subscriber as far as I remember, and of all the channels I follow you're one of the few where I genuinely feel delighted to see footage so please, safety first! :D
you're such an inspiration!
Thank you Ben for further showing the zinc oxide experiment. The Q and A was very interesting as well. I see your point in 3D printing for home users and it wouldn't have much use for them. I have this small dream of creating robots that can clean and put stuff back in my really messy apartment and I would see a 3D printer very useful for creating different grab mechanism. Well that is only a dream. I'm still stuck with various website projects and finding a job. The critical things that must be done seams to pile up and the dream I would like to do that doesn't make any money seams to be always further away in the future.
I have a laser cutter in my garage and I have to say it is my most useful tool. It is so much faster than my 3D printer for getting results. I make PCB's on it and have modified it to cut at 45 degrees for optical reasons. You would really enjoy owning one.
Thanks for the Q/A, Ben. I'm a long-time fan and subscriber. I think I first discovered your videos when you were exploring weird food processing like freeze dried ice cream, gas infused chocolates and such. Q/As are cool, but don't let 'em stop the SCIENCE!
About the Zinc Oxide heating... when you heat it in a vaccum, where do the oxygen go?
In the atmosphere near it... so when it cools the oxygen must be close enough to be quickly reabsorbed.
Very watchable. Thanks for your time.
I agree on the laser cutter, very useful. CNC I do not see much use for, better to learn how to use the lathe and mill unless you are going to make multiple parts full time, which CNC is good at. I am looking for a good used small mill or a combination machine to use, just the lathe itself is very limiting, but a whole lot better than hand turning. for one offs or even the odd dozen parts just knowing how to do it yourself is good, and it helps to know some good machinists who are willing to give tips on the difficult parts. additive manufacture is incredible, but currently it is limited for the consumer and low end side. Top end it has no equal.
Ben: I simply love your videos, you are inspirational for your "get in there and have a go, with a lot of thought" attitude. You also come across as such a decent nice guy, whom it would be great to have a beer with, or maybe more likely, trying to make something with :) We are all very lucky that you put so much effort into these, and I'm sure will have single handedly inspired many many people. Well done, and thank you, and may your work not be done, for a very very very long time :)
I liked the Q&A style but I have to say I would miss the old style of videos. Your channel has been great in my life because now I know I want to be an engineer. I'm currently a sophomore at BYUI. Thanks for the amazing videos!!!
Great listening to you! really love your videos
Wow ... non-zero risk. That's big! Love your work dude.
Hi Ben, I love to watch you build stuff for the sake of it and your maker-skills are impressive, but what can you think of to put these skills to an even better use? A DIY windmill to make clean energy, a desease test on a paper stamp, instructions for agricultural machines to end world hunger? Yes these were done by other makers, but they might inspire you like they have inspired me. Without pressure to post the solution in the next video, which big problem would you like to solve?
Ben, I'm not a scientist... but you make science cool demonstrating your projects making it worth watching and reconnecting how science touches all of us everyday..
Awesome video. It's great to hear some backstory about yourself.
***** ... thank you for sharing your projects and experiments with us. You always have something interesting for us.
Yay! My question about your racecar got answered. How about a video about your car. In addition, of course, to some video of your cleanest laps this coming year.
It was very good and also answered some questions I didn't bother to ask.
Thanks for the answers!! Big fan of your work. Could you do a video or three on hydrodynamic sensors? Or how scientists are using biology as inspiration for new sensors or devices?
Thanks!
Hey Ben!
I just found your channel not so long ago, i'm very thankful for your videos.
It's very good that you explain how things works, most of them very understandable even for me, and they are intresting. Also seeing your creativity amazes me always:))
So keep up the good work, it's awesome!
Youre doing an amazing job! Thanks for everything! I wish i couldspend one day in the workshop with you and experiment.
So glad you make that video's!
I wish i could use that tools, materials and broken electronics. Its sure oké to use that luck to teach to everyone who takes interest and want to learn
Loving this channel. Thank you very much.
Yes the Q/A format is a good thing every now and then, definitely. Can you do a video on flow batteries, zinc bromide, i'm really interested in them for an off grid homestead type scenario, thanks.
I think for small scale offgrid energy storage LiFePO4 is the most economical option . That Is what I use for my offgrid house.
***** Li batteries might be cheaper to buy up front, but NiFe batteries are probably the best going with their practically infinite life. They can take a near total discharge with no damage. The three downsides are a higher up front cost, weight, and a small percentage loss in stored energy per day. The weight doesn't matter in a fixed installation, and the small loss per day doesn't matter if they're regularly topped up with an excess energy supply, e.g. occasional sunny days. www.nickel-iron-battery.com/
You can buy them at places like ironedison.com/ or possibly get them cheaper direct from China if you look around Alibaba or whatnot.
Mark Rose
I know about NiFe and they have multiple problems.
Just to mention a few that where not ok for my application. They have bad charge discharge efficiency so I need more solar PV panels than with Lithium usually over 95% efficiency. Then there is the gas generation same as Lead Acid and need venting. Venting will not have been possible in my cold climate with temperature frequently below -40C. Low temperature will drop the efficiency so much that the batteries will become useless.
Heating the battery is not possible (not practical) do to venting requirement that heating energy will have been much higher than what you can store on the cells.
A lithium battery dose not need any sort of venting it can be placed inside the house at a nice temperature and can last for thousands of deep cycles so in excess of 10 years.
Lithium battery is a much, much newer technology that both NiFe and Lead Acid so if any of those older technologies will have had any advantages over Lithium it will have been used on a much larger scale.
NiFe is almost inexistent and Lead Acid was inexpensive and good enough for car starting applications with just a few % DOD.
For stationary energy storage there is nothing better than LiFePO4 or LiCoO2 charged at 3.95V.
My LiFePO4 has just under 2 years of daily heavy use between 50% to 85% DOD but it is still as new with no detectable loss on capacity.
I'm sure it will easily last for 10 years in my application with absolutely no maintenance.
I really enjoyed this! I would love another.
That was a really cool video. You're such an interesting guy, Ben.
When it comes to dangerous projects, there is something to be said about setting up so you can operate and observe at a distance.
I know its a long shot, but an interesting subject to cover would be Nitrogen scrubbing, I have a stirling cooler and i have been waiting for nearly 2 years for a cheap enough scrub to employ in my dry nitrogen liquid generator, I'm sure there is a way, the old fashioned way to scrub the nitrogen, thats more affordable for 'home shoppers' to make. would be an interesting project. cheers.
I really enjoyed this video. You answered many questions I had about you.
Will you do more video's on the Cryogenic refrigerator?
I would like to see you build one from scratch, or some other easily accessible way of Cryogenic refrigeration.
The laser cutter would be a fantastic project.
that was pretty interesting! I watched the whole thing, it was interesting to hear what you had to say!
I would note that zinc oxide sublimes rather easily, even Zinc has a remarkably low melting point. I have grown crystals of ZnO with little more than a cold sheet of metal, ZnO powder and a blowtorch. I imagine as oxygen left zinc atoms would start to migrate through the solid and escape, keeping the Zn/O ratio not too far out of sync.
Hey Ben. You said that you read all your comments, so i figured i'd drop a line. I've been subscribed to you for a good while now and i really enjoy your videos. It's become a sort of communal experience for my girlfriend and i. We watch all your videos together. In fact i go out of my way to promote your stuff to those my friends and acquaintances who are even slightly in to science and technology, and everyone agrees the world needs more Krasnaw :D You truly have a unique Hard science/Entertainment thing going on.
Okay
See ya next time
Bye
I lol'd
Another thing about how you can afford all that stuff is that you have been doing, what you do, for a long time. Stuff does pile up over time.
Ben Thanks a lot for your great videos
thanks for the update.
Would love a video of you building your own laser cutter.
Ben if you could do some project with Super amphiphobic material (Both hydrophobic and oleophobic materials-contact angle of more than 150 degree) ..something as a coating which can be applied on to surfaces...i have been working on it (silica and DCDMS Silane) yet it wasnt upto the mark..also incorporating the same in any binder is difficult...it can be a lot of fun.
My technical science question still stands: why do green dry erase markers smell when the other colors don't? I think green Sharpies also smell a lot more pungent than the other colors. Googling just gives other people asking the same question.
Whatever solvent is necessary to make green pigment dissolve is more pungent. check the MSDS for each colour - the manufacturer has to tell you what's in them -- from there you can find which ingredient(s) have the smell by checking them on wiki.
My favorite thing about the 3d printer they placed on the ISS. The first part they printed was for the printer itself. :)
Laser cutters are great and incredibly fast to make 2D stuff (brackets and whatnot) with. You should consider a Chinese machine if you don't mind servicing once in a while. IMO they are almost much as good as a Trotec or an Epilog for cutting, not engraving though, but I figure you might not be engraving much?
You can get a 150w machine for around 6k, a good brand is G.Weike.
I love your videos, you are very good at explaining things so even I can understand it :) - And your projects are very interesting :)
YOOOOO i can't believe you agree with the idea of degree inflation! that's so crazy awesome!
Pretty awesome that you worked at Valve!
Please post up some footage of LeMons after it happens.
Could you comment on the Open Source Ecology project?
For example, what do you think of their "life-size Erector set" approach? What could they do to continue with or come closer to that goal?
What do you think of their Global Village Construction Set? Are there things you'd add or replace?
Great video, great channel! I really enjoy your content, keep it up, thank you!
Zinc Oxide: One other experiment instead of Vacuum, backfill with another gas: Nitrogen, Argon, Hydrogen, then reheat. The gas should help with the heat transfer issue, and probably help flush out the Oxgen.
Instead of doing the zinc oxide in vacuum, how about doing it in a noble gas environment such as argon? That would probably solve the thermal conductivity issue as well as the adhering oxygen issue.
Definitely compete with universities. For one thing, choice benefits students. But for another, competition will force universities to get better, too. Kill two birds with one strategy...
I was going to make a similar comment.
Great Q&A!
I dont even know what questions to ask, Im just glad people are asking them for me haha
I enjoyed the video, thanks for sharing a bit about yourself. I like your thoughts on possibly competing against the education system or helping them.
Does owning a racing car qualify as a having a "fancy" or "expensive" car? ;-)
Not this one! In 24 Hours of Lemons, the maximum value of the car is $500! In reality, the safety gear and entry/travel/transportation expenses end up being much more, but it's still the cheapest way to get track time. Everyone drives like their car is worth $500 too, so there's quite a bit of contact and scary driving. Fun!
Thanks for answering! I was not aware that was the type of event you were talking about. I did not know that was what you meant. That does sound like fun!
Thanks for posting these videos. Your channel is fascinating.
I second that thought! A video or even a series of videos showing the car and preparations and the race itself would be very cool!
🍋 LMFAO, Le Mans
Cool stuff man
What are you thinkig of building a atomic force microscope? Would suit for vacuum operation, cryogenic, pushing atoms around... and afterall is a relative cheap build.
I would love to see your approach on this!
I need to watch your CT scanner video... LOL I was wondering if someone would nail you for shielding. I work with and repair medical imaging equipment. Plain film and CT scanners. Thats no small feat to build one even a simple one. I want a small plain film xray system or Fluoro system. Nice to see how things are assembled inside sealed boxes.
That physicist sounds like a really cool guy.
Which mirrors did you use for the ruby laser? Normally, the mirrors are coated right on the ends of the ruby but you have used external mirrors. Where did you buy the mirrors from? thanks
Have you considered doing a collaboration video with other RUclipsrs like Destin from SmarterEveryDay or even Vsauce, Veritasium, etc...? I think a lot of "pop" science fans would like your applied science.
Hey Ben!
I have a bit of an odd question but seeing the wide variety of your projects I thought you might know. So what I was wondering is where I could buy some Bacillus Parteurii.
The Zinc could also be drawing oxygen from oxides on the heating element
Have you looked into Wire EDM cutting? seems simpler (than laser or water jet cutting) to make and cuts trough anything conductive
Please please please do some more videos on how to build an electron scanning microscope
Love your videos and how nicely you go through your process, its actually helped me conceive my ideas in a more practical fashion. Also, if you are recruiting, I'd be more than happy to talk about what I could contribute haha
I can see the LVDS from Fran and Dave Jones, will you do an electron microscope analysis of the ICs for us viewers?
I wonder if its possible to make a IR lidar absorbing paint/clear laquer like the insainly expensive product "veil stealth coating" the lidar here in Norway is 905nm. i am thinking something like cadmium selenide nano particles or exfoliated calsium copper tetrasilicate.CaCuSi4O10 i think your channel rocks and is together with nurdrage the only ones capable of pouling this of.
Is there any possibility that you could make a Yttrium-Barium-Copper-Oxide superconductor in the near future? I'd like to see how those are made, since you can make them stably hover above rare Earth magnets while at relatively high temperatures.