Discover the expert in you.
Discover the expert in you.
To become more environmentally conscious and reduce waste, look for items and materials around your home to reuse and recycle. If you have a fire pit or a wood-burning stove, for example, ashes have uses in the garden landscape if they come from organic wood materials. Wood ashes contain small amounts of nutrients, making them useful as a fertilizer. The liming effect of wood ashes is also helpful for correcting overly acidic soil and compost.
Making your own caulking compound is a relatively inexpensive way to get the job done right. Make caulking compound with help from a Foreman for Lighty Contractors in this free video clip.
A number of really interesting bonds take place when working with hydrochloric acid. Learn about hydrochloric acid and the types of bonds that take place with help from a research scientist in this free video clip.
Volumizing the brow with hyaluronic acid fillers always requires the help of a licensed medical doctor. Find out about volumizing the brow with hyaluronic acid fillers with help from a longtime makeup artist in this free video clip.
The decay process of Strontium-90 can be expressed accurately with the help of a very particular equation. Learn about an equation for the decay process of Strontium-90 with help from a research scientist and one of the world's leading experts on star formation in this free video clip.
Makeup can oxidize just like anything else under the right circumstances. Find out about makeup oxidation with help from a master makeup artist with 30 years of industry experience in this free video clip.
Mexican tacos al carbon need to be prepared in a very particular way for maximum authenticity. Make Mexican tacos al carbon with help from a professional chef in this free video clip.
Neon lights are easy to use in Photoshop, and shadowing effects are helpful in capturing the visual of a neon sign. Learn about boosting an inner glow effect when making neon lights in Photoshop with help from a graphic and Web designer in this free video on Photoshop.
Torch Glow bougainvillea (Bougainvillea spectabilis "Torch Glow") is not your standard bougainvillea vine. While an ordinary bougainvillea's rampant growth rate takes it up the side of a house in no time, Torch Glow does not commonly reach more than 8 feet tall and is considered a shrub, rather than a vine. Hardy to U.S. Department of Agriculture planting zone 10, the plant gets its name from the way the flowers and its colorful bracts cluster at the ends of each upright stem.
Fresh fruits provide nutritional benefits for people of all ages. Unfortunately, chemicals that are added to the fruits to help increase the ripening process may cause more harm than good. Some consumers are not aware what chemicals are added to the fruit before they purchase it. Artificial carbonates are not used to ripen fruit. Calcium carbide, however, is used as a ripening agent.
Protecting the body sides of your 2006 RAV4 from mud, gravel and other road debris thrown up by the tires can be as easy as installing a set of mud guards. Mud guards are made from tough plastic and are molded to fit the contours of the RAV4 body behind each wheel housing. The guards even use original screw holes in the front and rear mounting areas, so that drilling your SUV is not required for this installation.
Vinyl siding is generally cost-effective and requires less maintenance than wood, but that doesn't mean it requires no maintenance at all. Acid rain and UV radiation from the sun combine to cause oxidation on the vinyl, resulting in a faded, chalky appearance over time. The sooner the oxidation is dealt with, the simpler it is to remove. Repairing the oxidized vinyl requires a vigorous cleaning process to both remove the oxidation and to restore the vinyl's appearance.
Neon lights can draw attention to more than a vacant hotel. They can add loud bursts of color throughout your room decor. Neon lighting has sometimes been associated with gritty undertones in years past, but many options are available today that provide contemporary forms of neon lighting in an elegant fashion.
One-third the weight and stronger than steel, and made of one of the most common materials on Earth, carbon fiber is quickly becoming the go-to material for many high-performance applications. Ostensibly similar to fiberglass with carbon fibers in place of glass, this material doesn't seem to lend itself well to high-temperature applications like brake rotors. But there's a crucial difference between carbon brake rotors and carbon body panels, one that allows them to take higher temperatures than nearly any other in use today.
Sony's ACID Music Studio software lets you turn your computer into a portable recording and mixing studio. The program supports song metadata, which is necessary for a song's title to appear within programs like Winamp or iTunes correctly. If you want to remove or edit metadata, you can access it from the ACID menu.
The neutralization of acid occurs when an acid and a base interact to create a salt compound, as well as a neutralized base. Rocks such as limestone and many rudimentary soil samples carry natural neutralization abilities that can be showcased through a series of basic experiments that will help to explain the concept of neutralization to your students.
"Dead Space: Extraction" for the Nintendo Wii loads like any other game; insert the disc and the main menu starts right up. Unfortunately, backups are playable only on modded consoles and sometimes need a little more assistance to get them up and running. There are rules to booting a backup, and "Dead Space: Extraction" does have compatibility issues on certain consoles.
The vinyl industry presents consumers with myriad materials, from ethylene vinyl acetate to polyethylene vinyl acetate to polyvinyl butyral. Most commonly, the term “vinyl” refers to polyvinyl chloride, or PVC. Vinyl comes in a range of densities, from soft vinyl clothing to hard vinyl floors and records. Semi-rigid vinyl presents a versatile middle ground that lends itself to dozens of products across numerous sectors.
Are you running out of room in your freezer and need somewhere to stash your frozen pizzas and ice cream? The refrigerator might be empty, but not cold enough to keep these items frozen for a short period of time. Instead of buying a separate ice chest, use polymer crystals. The crystals absorb moisture and, once frozen, keep items colder and longer than ice cubes. The polymer crystals are only intended as a temporary last resort and not a replacement for a freezer.
Developed by Sony, Screenblast Acid is a music creation program that specifically uses prerecorded tracks such as guitar melodies and drum beats to create music. With an editing and mixing interface, you can create music in a variety of genres including rock and roll, R&B and blues. Screenblast Acid includes a variety of tools to mix and edit music to suit your musical taste and enhance projects such as videos.
Drywall compound, also known as joint compound or mud, is a material used to smooth the seams where drywall has been installed and to repair damage to walls and ceilings. It is also used to create sculptured relief textures or designs on walls or ceilings. Drywall sculptures add dimension and interest to a wall. Use drywall compound along with various application techniques to create three-dimensional walls.
Mailboxes in condos and apartment complexes are typically those with a keyed entry. Like any lock, occasionally a mailbox keyhole will become difficult to operate, making it difficult to check the mail. You may find it hard to turn the key, or you may have trouble trying to insert the key into the lock. The inner workings of the lock may be tight due to dirt, or even ice in cold weather, or the lock may be sticking. A few quick fixes can help you to loosen your mailbox keyhole.
A natural or chemically created film of color that forms on metals, specifically copper, silver and bronze, characterizes a patina. Many people value metal jewelry that has a naturally darkened patina because it implies the piece is older and possibly an antique. Jewelers can design new jewelry with a variety of patinas ranging in color from blues, greens and red to gray and black. Several acids are used to create the colors desired and liver of sulphur is employed to darken silver.
Lacquer is a type of coating derived from the sap of the lacquer tree. Although the sap is milky white, the lacquer changes to amber, reddish-brown or black after it’s been exposed to light and air. Lacquer is used to protect and decorate a variety of objects such as furniture, musical instruments and household items. Oxides are chemical compounds formed by adding oxygen to another element. Adding oxides to lacquer provides a variety of benefits, depending on which oxide is added.
Limestone is a porous rock made from the compressed remains of sea life, particularly shellfish. It contains a lot of calcium because of this, and, because it's formed by compression, it can contain traces of other minerals as well. All of this makes it sensitive to acid. Even lemon juice or cola can burn into the rock and leave a mark. Using an acid wash on limestone must therefore be done with tremendous care.
One of the oft-forgotten upkeep items on a motorcycle is the spokes. The chrome spokes are prone to oxidation over time, which makes them lose their luster. The cloudy oxidation makes the spokes look dull and gives them a rough feel to the hand. Cleaning the oxidation off of your spokes is a quick and affordable way to give your motorcycle a makeover. Once the oxidation is removed you will be able to see the sun reflect off the spokes as they glisten with each revolution, giving you a more fulfilling pride of ownership in your motorcycle.
If you have a set of neon lights that you would like to test, then you can do so as long as you have a power outlet. Once you have plugged your neon lights into a power outlet, you will be able to determine quickly which bulbs are burnt out. Neon lights often are used in marketing and business signs, and specific letters likely will not light up.
Carbon stabilizer paddles, commonly known as a stabilizer bar or flybar, play a significant role in stabilizing RC helicopters during flight. These paddles are relatively lightweight. Either end of each paddle is heavier than the rest of the parts, causing the bar to stay stable during rotation of rotor blades. Aligning the paddles involves fixing them to the rotor blades and ensuring that the blades balance. You can then connect the blades to your helicopter.
Acid dipping is an intensive method of stripping paint or varnish. It’s primarily used for industrial-strength applications, such as refinishing old automobiles. In some cases, you may use the same process for rugged furnishings, such as a metal filing cabinet or even a wooden cabinet in some cases. Before using such a powerful stripping technique, have a professional appraiser confirm that your cabinet is not an antique or collectible.
Crystal prisms are versatile and can be used to create several crafts. They come in different shapes and colors, but are somewhat transparent and cut differently to sparkle and reflect light. Making crafts with crystal prisms is simple, and by using your creativity, the possibilities are endless. String crystal prisms together to create a beautiful sun catcher or attach them to a chain to create charms for your cell phone, a bracelet or necklace.
Your yard is home to an entire ecology of insects. Most of these insects will spend their lives avoiding you and your pets. Others, including mosquitoes, fleas and ticks, will seek you out as a source of food. Of these parasites, both fleas and ticks are vulnerable to borax, a naturally occurring salt.
Bathrooms are dirty places that sometimes require stronger than normal cleaners. One ingredient that's commonly found in household cleaning agents is phosphoric acid. While the concentration of phosphoric acid is low in most household cleaners, it's important to understand that when using it, you're cleaning your bathroom with acid. This technique, while effective, can take its toll on bathroom surfaces.
Slate tiles can be used both indoors and out and are a sturdy material found in a wide variety of colors and sizes. When slate tiles are used outdoors or are washed with tap water, lime scale deposits can develop on the slate, leaving a white filmy appearance. There are several options when it comes to cleaning lime scale off slate, and sulfamic acid is one such option.
While crystal chandeliers are most commonly associated with luxurious baroque decor or quaint Victorian-cottage chic, they can be redecorated to reflect a more rustic sensibility. Whether you've been given a crystal chandelier by a friend and want to incorporate it into your rustic apartment or want to evolve your home's style from ornate to rustic, change at least one of the major elements of the chandelier to alter its character.
Alcohol is a general name for a group of chemicals that has a hydroxyl or –OH group attached to carbon atoms. Rubbing alcohol, also known as isopropyl alcohol, is used by many consumers as a disinfectant. Because rubbing alcohol carries the properties of other types of alcohol, students can use rubbing alcohol to demonstrate a multitude of scientific concepts, from density to evaporation.
The toilet bowl is an area that sees frequent use. Besides gathering stains from dust, dirt and waste, toilets are also subject to accumulating mineral deposits. These deposits, which are often termed "lime scale," stem from minerals in tap water. The most effective means of dissolving lime scale is to use an acidic cleaning product. Remove mineral deposits from your toilet by using either a store bought or a homemade de-liming acid wash.
Rubbing alcohol has a variety of uses, but can damage some surfaces it comes in contact with. If you inadvertently spill rubbing alcohol on your wood furniture, the alcohol can cause damage to the finished surface, and if left untreated, can damage the wood itself. You can repair the damage from the rubbing alcohol and restore your wood furniture back to its former beauty, but quick action is required.
Silicone is a synthetic compound made of polymers and hydrogen, oxygen and carbon. It can be produced in macroemulsions (creamy solutions of silicone and water) and microemulsions (clear solutions of silicone and water), depending on the size of their respective polymer particles (large or small), and their intended applications. White silicone macroemulsions are used in the manufacture of opaque products; translucent silicone microemulsions are used in the manufacture of clear products. In microemulsions, the blending process creates oil particles that are so minute light can pass around them, which produces their clarity. Producing a clear silicone microemulsion in industrial applications…
Primers are substances used to help paint bind to a surface. They are always needed when painting on uneven or organic surfaces. Primer bonds to the substrate, which allows for a paint job to last longer. Primers are either latex or oil-based and often contain preservatives and stain-inhibiting tannin blockers, as well as chemicals. Instead of purchasing expensive primers, you can make your own. If you make the primer from your own paint, you can create a primer that is compatible with that paint. Making your own primer also reduces waste, as you can make as much as you need.
Some archery enthusiasts prefer the challenge of making their own compound bow strings. Doing so takes time and patience, but can be a rewarding experience that saves the hunter money. Darcon is the recommended string material to use for compound bows. The number of strands required in the string is dependent on the weight the bow is set at.
Scientists measure the acidity or alkalinity of waste water from mines, sewage stations and the like by comparing it to water samples containing known levels of various minerals and impurities through titration. That means adding a base to an acid to determine how much it takes until the liquid reaches a balanced pH. This is the standard method of determining both acidity and alkalinity.
Wood oxidation is the result of years of exposure to the elements and causes unsightly markings on the wood's surface. The appearance of oxidation is more frequent on metal objects, which suffers from rusting. However, metal rusting negatively affects wood if attached to door or shingle. While it's only a matter of time before wood experiences some sort of weathering, homeowners are able to restore or prevent damage caused by oxidation.
Batteries are devices which convert chemical energy into electricity using the chemicals contained in them. Batteries are classified in a few ways, including voltage, or the difference in potential energy between the ends of the battery through which the electricity flows; current capacity, which is measured in ampere-hours, or mAh; and battery composition, such as one that contains the chemicals nickel and cadmium, or NiCad.
With its shiny appearance and superb conductivity, copper's is used in household wires, computer circuitry, decorative objects and even the Statue of Liberty. Its use in pennies makes it a common part of many science experiments, including how acid effects this metal. Younger students can explore the action of weak acids, while older students may get a chance to discover the effects of strong acids on copper.
When your bathtub was first installed, it had a shiny ceramic finish that protected its surface from minor damage and stains. Over time, however, your bathtub can lose its protective finish, leaving you with a stained and pitted tub basin. While you cannot replace your bathtub's original ceramic finish, you can resurface it and improve its appearance. Acid etching the tub roughens its surface — ensuring that the new finish you select properly adheres.
Tire softening compounds can be used on racing tires mounted on cars and trucks. When the tires are softer, they grip easier to the racetrack, providing extra stability during racing. You can buy softening compounds premixed from racing vendors or mix your own at the garage with a few ingredients and precautions.
Homeowners add tile to exterior stairs to complement the setting of their homes. Exterior tile choices include tiles that blend into a natural setting or add a pop of color to a drab exterior. Installing tile on rounded steps requires careful consideration concerning the type of tile. Using high-gloss, slippery tile on stairs presents a hazard, as does installing tiles with an uneven surface. Tile transforms standard exterior stairs into a focal point and enhances curb appeal.
The vividness of a neon painting doesn’t always translate from a computer screen, which may already be backlit to its highest power, but this doesn’t mean you can’t create glowing designs. Take advantage of the bright palette available in Microsoft Paint, the small graphics software package tucked away in the Accessories folder of all Windows operating systems. Make bar signs, holiday landscapes or other designs featuring neon lights with a few swipes of the Paint paintbrush.
Memorabilia enthusiasts collect items that are meaningful in either a personal or historic way. Among these types of memorabilia are historical or otherwise important documents. Collectible documents can include signed contracts, historical records or early drafts of important documents. One way to display these documents is by framing them and hanging them on a wall. Framing collectible documents should be done with care and attention to the quality of the framing materials, ensuring no damage is done to the document by careless framing or exposure to exterior lights.
Under normal circumstances, you should never pour any sort of acid into your sink, toilet, storm drain or gutter, where it can damage your plumbing and enter the water system. Most acidic solutions, even those found in common household products, should be brought to a local wastewater treatment or hazardous waste facility. Weak acidic solutions, however, can be neutralized carefully and then disposed of in a sink attached to a municipal sewer system.
