Gizmodo: chemicals

Fans Get One Step Closer to Bringing Back Polaroid Film

Jason Chen — Tue, 26 May 2009 16:40:00 EDT

The NYT just visited the Impossible Project, a group of Polaroid lovers (which include Dutch scientists), who dedicate their time in bringing back Polaroid film.

Last time we saw these people, they leased a Polaroid factory and are trying to not just re-invent Polaroid film, but something slightly better.

What's interesting is that the "Project" was able to get ahold of vital pieces of technology because the man who held Polaroid's assets was arrested by the US. Polaroid's assets (including its name and IP) were sold off this month. [NYT]

How To Build Your Own Chemistry Set

Mark Wilson — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 15:00:00 EST

While an off-the-shelf chemistry set of today consists of little more than baking soda, some vinegar and a plastic volcano, old sets were filled with good stuff, like explosive nitrates and deadly cyanide compounds.

MAKE has a tutorial, or series of tutorials even, on how to build your own ballsy chemistry set. For instance, pick up Sodium hydroxide that's packaged as crystal drain cleaner. Put the corrosive substance on metal and you get flammable hydrogen gas!

So promise to be good and wear goggles, then hit the link. It could make for a great DIY Christmas gift. [MAKE]

Periodic Table of Videos Makes Chemistry Extremely Watchable

Elaine Chow — Sat, 16 Aug 2008 17:30:00 EDT

Science nerds and fans of British accents rejoice! University of Nottingham scientist/professor Martyn Poliakoff and video journalist Brady Haran have put together what they've dubbed The Periodic Table of Videos, where each square contains a link to a video showing some fascinating facts about its element. Who knew Bismuth was so pretty (quite honestly, who knew what Bismuth was in the first place)? Best of all, the project is continually updated, so even after you're done with the 117 videos currently on the site, you can come back later to check for newer ones. The introductory clip gives you a taste of what you'll find on their site. [ via Neatorama]

Dangerous Chemical In LCD TVs Being Replaced

Matt Hickey — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 22:00:00 EDT

A couple of weeks ago we brought you the shocking news that your LCD HDTV probably contained a nefarious gas called Nitrogen Trifluoride (NF3) that was far more harmful to the environment than many other sources, including CO2. The Linde Group, who manufactures many of the LCD panels used in several popular LCD HDTVs, says that they've tweaked their manufacturing operations to use Fluorine instead of Nitrogen Trifluoride, replacing the dangerous gas with a fairly harmless one. Kudos to The Linde Group, and let's hope the other manufacturers follow step. [CE Pro]

The iPhone is Hazardous to the Environment, According to Greenpeace

Sean Fallon — Mon, 15 Oct 2007 18:00:50 EDT

Greenpeace has slammed Apple once again on environmental issues, claiming that scientific tests they arranged uncovered hazardous chemicals in the iPhone. I'm sorry, but I have a hard time believing that Apple is the only phone maker that has these toxic chems, considering that the plants that iPhones are built in also make Nokias and Sony Ericsson phones too. Apple doesn't just say "Hey, put this poison in phones"—They're just a high profile target of these treehumping-nazis. At least take the entire industry to task if you're going to do something like this. And require that no Greenpeace workers and volunteers ever use another cellphone again, or any oil in their boats, or any gasoline in their car as they drive to their treehouses. I'm not saying they're wrong, but we're all a part of this, and unless they have a fix, like some hemp circuit boards, I don't want to hear it. [Edited to rant by BLam]

Analysis revealed that the phone contains toxic brominated compounds (indicating the presence of brominated flame retardants (BFRs)) and hazardous PVC. Of the 18 internal and external components tested, half the samples returned positive for brominated compounds—including the antenna, which amounts to 10 percent of the total weight of the flexible circuit board.

This isn't the first time Greenpeace has been all up in Apple's face about their supposed lack of commitment to becoming a green company. If you recall, Steve Jobs talked of a greener Apple in the past, but Greenpeace wasn't buying it. So is Greenpeace being unrealistic in their desire to make Apple "green to the core," or should Apple do a better job of eliminating these hazardous chemicals in their products? Or should we just forget about the environment, enjoy our gadgets and tell these hippies to stop bumming us out? [Greenpeace - thanks Mike!]