Quote:
Originally Posted by knc1
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Progress of a sort - - -
The above is just plain wrong. Sorry about that.
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The 'key' was that I could not reliably reproduce my own work.
Due to the wide variations I was getting - I suspected contamination.
It took me awhile to find it (plus I had to fit that into my available time).
It was the water I was using.
Everything else was 'reagent grade', EXCEPT for the water!
I was using 'distilled water' - which I thought would be 'good enough'.
Wrong, it isn't, at least not the jug(s) I picked up at the store*.
Which probably also explains all of the posted, differing, results on the 'net about any one specific echant combination.
Those differ because of non-reagent grade water.
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"Reagent grade water on the cheap -"
Buy water marked as 'purified by reverse osmosis (ro)' -
read all of the fine print on the label to be sure that nothing (like fluoride) has been added.
You'll find that shelved with the other drinking waters.
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With that error found - I should be able to test and correct my echant make-up.
All I need is free time.
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I would still like to (someday) make a serial-USB converter that fits inside of the Kindle case.
I have gathered (I think) everything I need (once I get past the echant speed bump) but that will take a lot of time.
I decided to first make the adapter mount on the back of the Kindle.
Which will require (after setting options and connecting wire leads) some potting and gluing.
Potting -
I also have a solar cell project in the works, which will need potting.
I would like to improve on my micro-photographic set-up for documenting these tiny parts and connections.
Ah, so - a single answer to all three requirements.
Sylgard 184 from Dow Corning:
http://www.dowcorning.com/applicatio...t.aspx?r=131en
Or, the very similar, Qsil from QSI.
Both available from Amazon (who else?):
http://www.amazon.com/Sylgard-Solar-Encapsulation-Making-Panels/dp/B004IJENBG/ref=pd_bxgy_263_2?ie=UTF8&refRID=0YMGZFB9M77T3A35S 7CY#biss-product-description-and-details
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005RYI7C2?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailp age_o01_s00
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It should be obvious that solves the potting of a serial adapter, and the sealing of a solar cell array -
But how does it help with the micro-photography?
You can make lens with it (a similar product is used to make contact lenses).
http://www.osa.org/en-us/about_osa/n..._droplet_lens/
Then add that extra lens to your cell phone or tablet camera.
Steve Lee's original paper is attached.
(*) There are a lot of things which distillation can not remove from water.
Agent Orange is one of them, there are tens of thosands of veterans that can tell you about that one.