12/1/2005: Colored bubbles

Undertoad · 12-01-2005, 09:51 PM

BigV suggests this interesting one from Popular Science. Interesting tale accompanies that link - the problem, it turns out is not producing colored bubbles, but producing ones that don't stain or burn or create a health hazard, etc.

If you go, read the printable version (just click "print this article") - and find out how this simple task was a huge chemistry problem, and how solving it opens up a bunch of new innovations.

capnhowdy · 12-01-2005, 10:31 PM

11 years..... And he never saw the disappearing ink ad in the Marvel comics?
I never saved enough allowance to order it . Always wondered if it worked.
I think the guy on the left has his X-ray glasses on. I do know those don't work.

xoxoxoBruce · 12-01-2005, 10:36 PM

Quote:

I think the guy on the left has his X-ray glasses on. I do know those don't work.

Wow...thanks, man. You just saved me $2.99.

Cool bubbles.

Cyclefrance · 12-02-2005, 12:57 AM

How come the guy on the right can't blow a 'single' bubble? - they're all lots of little bubbles joined together - do you reckon he stutters when he blows???

I like those BIG bubble jobbies...

Perry Winkle · 12-02-2005, 03:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cyclefrance

do you reckon he stutters when he blows???

That image is hilarious.

SeanAhern · 12-02-2005, 06:06 AM

The challenge is more than just making the dye disappear. There's also the problem of dispersion. From the article:

Quote:

t turns out that coloring a bubble is an exceptionally difficult bit of chemistry. A bubble wall is mostly water held in place by two layers of surfactant molecules, spaced just millionths of an inch apart. If you add, say, food coloring to the bubble solution, the heavy dye molecules float freely in the water, bonding to neither the water nor the surfactants, and cascade almost immediately down the sides. You'll have a clear bubble with a dot of color at the bottom. What you need is a dye that attaches to the surfactant molecules and disperses evenly in that water layer.

I wouldn't have any idea how to do that!

Trilby · 12-02-2005, 06:21 AM

Lawrence Welk would be soooo jealous.

mlandman · 12-02-2005, 09:54 AM

Seriously

bubbles = cool.

colored bubbles = cooler.

grown man blowing them = kinda odd.

two grown men hanging out together blowing them = way gay.

Cyclefrance · 12-02-2005, 10:49 AM

Yes, and this man actually devoted ten years of his life to making the perfect colored bubble. He's just working out the production costs now, and, whooops...., ah, well, yes, not quite what he had in mind - looks like they's gonna have to retail around $50 a tube. Hmmm. Don't worry, he says he'll work on it.....

No. actually reading the full story, it looks interesting - if you can move that green slime stuff by the cwt then non-staining colored bubbles have got to be in there with a chance, haven't they (presuming the liquid is as harmless as it will need to be - no cancerous side effects or is fatal if drunk - you know, those little negative developments/revelations that can sneak up behind you just when you think it's all going so well...)?

SteveDallas · 12-02-2005, 11:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Undertoad

. . . but producing ones that don't stain or burn or create a health hazard, etc.

I dunno, sounds like we have potential for weapons uses!

magilla · 12-02-2005, 01:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by capnhowdy

11 years..... And he never saw the disappearing ink ad in the Marvel comics?
I never saved enough allowance to order it . Always wondered if it worked.
I think the guy on the left has his X-ray glasses on. I do know those don't work.

Mine did

capnhowdy · 12-02-2005, 04:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by magilla

Mine did

tell me... did you see bones or butts?

xoxoxoBruce · 12-02-2005, 09:57 PM

You mean front or back?

mitheral · 12-10-2005, 01:16 PM

The amazing science behind everyday things.

SmurfAbuser · 12-11-2005, 01:06 AM

I still think the regular bubbles are much cooler. But it is a neat idea--who'd a thunk it would take so much work?

12-01-2005, 09:51 PM	#1
Undertoad Radical Centrist Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Cottage of Prussia Posts: 31,423	12/1/2005: Colored bubbles BigV suggests this interesting one from Popular Science. Interesting tale accompanies that link - the problem, it turns out is not producing colored bubbles, but producing ones that don't stain or burn or create a health hazard, etc. If you go, read the printable version (just click "print this article") - and find out how this simple task was a huge chemistry problem, and how solving it opens up a bunch of new innovations.

12-01-2005, 10:31 PM	#2
capnhowdy Blatantly Homosapien Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 6,200	11 years..... And he never saw the disappearing ink ad in the Marvel comics? I never saved enough allowance to order it . Always wondered if it worked. I think the guy on the left has his X-ray glasses on. I do know those don't work. __________________ Please type slowly. I can't read very fast............... and no holy water, please.

12-02-2005, 12:57 AM	#4
Cyclefrance Pump my ride! Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Deep countryside of Surrey , England Posts: 1,890	How come the guy on the right can't blow a 'single' bubble? - they're all lots of little bubbles joined together - do you reckon he stutters when he blows??? I like those BIG bubble jobbies... Attached Images __________________ Always sufficient hills - never sufficient gears Last edited by Cyclefrance; 12-02-2005 at 01:04 AM.

12-02-2005, 06:21 AM	#7
Trilby Slattern of the Swail Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 15,654	Lawrence Welk would be soooo jealous. __________________ In Barrie's play and novel, the roles of fairies are brief: they are allies to the Lost Boys, the source of fairy dust and ...They are portrayed as dangerous, whimsical and extremely clever but quite hedonistic. "Shall I give you a kiss?" Peter asked and, jerking an acorn button off his coat, solemnly presented it to her. —James Barrie Wimminfolk they be tricksy. - ZenGum

12-02-2005, 09:54 AM	#8
mlandman Coronation Incarnate Join Date: Dec 2001 Posts: 87	hmmmmmmm Seriously bubbles = cool. colored bubbles = cooler. grown man blowing them = kinda odd. two grown men hanging out together blowing them = way gay.

12-02-2005, 10:49 AM	#9
Cyclefrance Pump my ride! Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Deep countryside of Surrey , England Posts: 1,890	Yes, and this man actually devoted ten years of his life to making the perfect colored bubble. He's just working out the production costs now, and, whooops...., ah, well, yes, not quite what he had in mind - looks like they's gonna have to retail around $50 a tube. Hmmm. Don't worry, he says he'll work on it..... No. actually reading the full story, it looks interesting - if you can move that green slime stuff by the cwt then non-staining colored bubbles have got to be in there with a chance, haven't they (presuming the liquid is as harmless as it will need to be - no cancerous side effects or is fatal if drunk - you know, those little negative developments/revelations that can sneak up behind you just when you think it's all going so well...)? __________________ Always sufficient hills - never sufficient gears

12-02-2005, 09:57 PM	#13
xoxoxoBruce The future is unwritten Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 71,105	You mean front or back? __________________ The descent of man ~ Nixon, Friedman, Reagan, Trump.

12-10-2005, 01:16 PM	#14
mitheral Abecedarian Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Alberta, Canada Posts: 170	The amazing science behind everyday things.

12-11-2005, 01:06 AM	#15
SmurfAbuser Simulated Simulacrum Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 39	I still think the regular bubbles are much cooler. But it is a neat idea--who'd a thunk it would take so much work?

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