[NewCandle] influence of aluminum geometry on Geiger counter rates

[Horace Heffner]

Hi Nick,

Your experiments have produced such novel results!

One hypothesis might be there is some form of unusual critical mass  
effect involved.  This might be checked out by using a very large  
roll.  This would involve wrapping a lot more foil around a single  
core roll.

My strange matter paper at:

http://www.mtaonline.net/~hheffner/

which is no longer in draft state, might provide some hints as to how  
such a critical mass might form, i.e. through accumulation of strange  
matter from cosmic rays. The neutron activation initiated radiation  
merely causes the accumulated (in the water and/or aluminum) strange  
matter to "burn up" over a period of a couple days. A wild hypothesis  
admittedly.

Another reasonable thing to do might be to wrap a capacitor like role  
using a two sheets of foil separated by a couple of fabric electrode  
separators (one on each, like a two cake jelly roll). Then use AC to  
condition the foil up to a fairly high voltage (i.e. blue-green glow  
range). The objective would be to see if a high electrolysis  
potential can sustain strange matter creation and thus avoid the drop  
in counts over a few days.

Happy Holidays!

Best regards,

Horace Heffner
http://www.mtaonline.net/~hheffner/


On Dec 16, 2009, at 12:51 PM, Nick Reiter wrote:

> Hi all,
>
> Been a while since I had been able to finish off some "effect- 
> screening" tests I wanted to do, one of which was suggested by  
> Keith a few weeks ago.  All of course in regards to the phenomenon  
> of the jump in Geiger counter readings when a solution of uranyl  
> acetate in water wicks into the inter-turn spaces of an aluminum  
> foil roll...
>
> There essentially were four tests I made to check the influence of  
> geometry on the effect.
>
> In the first, I replicated the observation made on two occasions  
> previously, with the foil roll, added to a column of .1M uranyl  
> acetate in H2O.  The set up was simple, Geiger counter head  
> strapped to a plastic 500ml graduated cylinder.  Baseline readings  
> were made with water, then with uranyl acetate solution.  Then we  
> poured the solution back out, inserted a 75 foot roll of Al foil,  
> and poured 250ml of solution back in, enough to cover the roll top.  
> (no D2O added)
>
> The jump upward in count rate was noticed within 3 to 5 minutes.   
> This was reported here about 3 weeks ago.
>
> I then tried three other geometries of Al introduced into the  
> column of 250ml of solution.
>
> 1.  A 1.25" x 8" round solid bar of aluminum, inserted into the  
> liquid.  A slight drop in counter reading (about 40%) was noted  
> immediately, and did not change until the bar was removed.  We  
> might be safe to presume that this drop in count was due to  
> thinning of the annular volume of emitting solution, and shielding  
> by the solid Al mass.
>
> 2.  Next, a duplicate of the original foil roll was modified by  
> sealing the inside seam and the outside seam with plastic tape, and  
> sealing both ends of the roll with silicone rubber.  Thus we  
> produce an aluminum foil cylinder, with all internal turns and  
> voids, however it is sealed against any immediate ingress of  
> solution into the turns.  When this piece was inserted, a slight  
> drop in count rate - similar to test 1 - was observed immediately.
>
> 3.  Finally, a test suggested by Keith.  About 50ml of 3 to 5  
> micron diameter spherical Al powder was added to the uranyl acetate  
> column while the Geiger counter was operating.  The powder made a  
> grey dispersion, though no immediate hydrolysis reaction or  
> bubbling was noted.  I periodically swirled the dispersion a bit  
> and kept it afloat for 5 minutes.  From a starting count rate of  
> 250cpm average, there was no discernible change.
>
> Thus these three geometric tests to me seem to support the general  
> idea that the act of infiltration of the uranyl acetate solution  
> into foil roll inter-turn cavities is related to a rise in count  
> rate noted by a Geiger Mueller counter nearby.
>
> Of course, one then asks "why".
>
> Maybe some kindly seasonal avatar will gimme that epiphany for  
> Christmas!
>
> Best regards and seasonal cheer to all.
>
> nr