by Captain Skellett | May 12, 2011 | How Things Work, Recent Research
The Australian Government just announced it will spend 40 million dollars over the next four years to support Australia’s bid to host the Square Kilometre Array (SKA.) If, like me last week, you’re not really sure what the SKA is and Google seems to think...
by Captain Skellett | Apr 29, 2011 | How Things Work, Just for Fun, Science Art
Behold ferrofluid, nanoparticles of iron coated in a surfactant and suspended in a solution of oil or water. The surfactant can be citric acid or soy lecithin, among other things, and is used to stop them sticking together It’s like magnetic dust. Put a magnet...
by Captain Skellett | Apr 22, 2011 | Just for Fun
Today marks the second anniversary of A Schooner of Science. ‘Tis a time to reflect, to appreciate, to eat cake. Thanks to all who read this, ’tis great to have you on board.
by Captain Skellett | Mar 22, 2011 | Science Communication
Containing the best of science writing on the web, Open Lab 2010 has been published and printed. Inside are 50 blog posts, 6 poems and a cartoon – including my very own blog post How Aqua Regia Saved Nobel Prizes from the Nazis. The book was edited by the...
by Captain Skellett | Feb 28, 2011 | Science Art, Science Communication, Science in the Movies
We are at a very disturbing point in film production, where we assume the audience has no imagination and no intelligence. Stories are spoon fed and wrapped up with explosions and effects to sell the same tired old plot. Such is the opinion of Douglas Trumball, who...