 |
 |
As a microbiology PhD, I remember the weird attachment I had to some of the glassware, and the profound hatred I had of some other, an odd superstition that were I to use that the wrong flask, my experiment would fail. Marianne Guenot, PhD www.about.me/marianneguenot > On 18 nov. 2015, at 12:00, William Sones <[log in to unmask]> wrote: > > I'll always remember nitrosylating a benzene ring during my A-levels. It's an exothermic reaction attaching an oxidizing agent to a hydrocarbon molecule, or making a bomb with a reaction that produces a lot of heat. We were using spherical glass flasks covered in ice... only one of my friends left his sitting on top of the ice. There was a loud bang. The poor chap's face was covered with shards of glass and nitric acid. > I was recently given one of flasks. Filled it with coloured glass beads and use it to hold flowers. When ever I see it I think of him. > > Will > > From: Carla Brown <[log in to unmask]> > To: [log in to unmask] > Sent: Friday, 13 November 2015, 14:17 > Subject: Re: [PSCI-COM] Artist Calling for stories/accounts/observations about laboratory Glassware > > The microbiology lab I worked in during my PhD was like one big massive family and the glassware became the equivalent of the dishes. > > > "Guys did you leave those dirty flasks on the bench..?" > > "Nope. Not me." ... Ten minutes later we are all at the sink covered in old bugs and soap scrubbing away. > > Everyone wants a lovely meal but no one wants to do the washing up. > > And everyone will keep adding to the dirty pile rather than wash what's there. > > We were quite a messy group though, apologies if this is an inaccurate depiction. > > Also if you run out and someone from another group lent you that beautiful 5L flask, for that day they were a god! > > Carla Brown > > University of Glasgow > Biomedical Research Centre > @Sci_Game_Girl > gamifyingscience.wordpress.com > ________________________________________ > From: psci-com: on public engagement with science [[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Williams, Lynda, Springer Healthcare [[log in to unmask]] > Sent: 13 November 2015 12:21 > To: [log in to unmask] > Subject: Re: [PSCI-COM] Artist Calling for stories/accounts/observations about laboratory Glassware > > I’m very clumsy and my experience with laboratory glass as a chemistry undergrad could best be described as disastrous! > > For example, first year chemistry students stored our equipment in wooden lockers underneath the benches and within the first few weeks I managed to break not one, not two, but three mercury thermometers by closing the locker door and clipping the end. The rest of my chemistry year was stained yellow from powdered sulphur and I’m sure the chemistry department were relieved when I decided the predominantly plastic laboratory equipment of molecular biology was more my scene. > > Lynda > > > > > From: psci-com: on public engagement with science [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Cordelia "Doo" Spalding > Sent: 12 November 2015 17:31 > To: [log in to unmask] > Subject: [PSCI-COM] Artist Calling for stories/accounts/observations about laboratory Glassware > > Dear All > > I am asking for your help! > > Not money, just a few minutes and a few words! > > I am currently working on a project inspired by laboratory glassware. > > I have always been fascinated by it and believe that the stories and accounts of it’s use could be a conduit for the telling of science and Scientists stories in a contemporary and unusual way. > > Often the public are exposed to the “big names” of science, but rarely do they get a glimpse of the hours of tireless work Scientists of today are doing. > > What I am asking for is a short account, a few words of your thoughts, a paragraph on your experiences and reflections on glassware. > > It could be: > Fascination with a particular piece > The first time you saw an experiment set up > The fact that you have a “favourite” pipette/beaker/flask that you look out for > An experiment that you saw unfurl through the walls of a glass flask > An experiment that turned to sludge and the glass had to be thrown away > An area of science that used to be done with glass, that is now conducted digitally and the effect this has on you and your work > > > It could just be about the beauty of a new gleaming test tube and the hope that the experiment you perform using it today will be a major breakthrough in your work > > Whatever it is I would love to hear from you. I hope to make this a touring exhibition that opens up the world of science to new audiences, and hopefully gives a tiny glimpse of your world to others! > > Hope to hear from you! > > Cordelia “Doo” Spalding > www.cordeliaspalding.co.uk<http://www.cordeliaspalding.co.uk> > BIG Board Member 2015 > ********************************************************************** > > Commands - send an email (any subject) to [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]> with one of the following messages (ignoring text in brackets) > > • set psci-com nomail (to stop receiving messages while on holiday) • set psci-com mail (to resume getting messages) • signoff psci-com (to leave the list) • Subscribe here https://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/cgi-bin/webadmin?A0=psci-com > > Contact list owner at [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]> Small print and JISCMail acceptable use policy https://sites.google.com/site/pscicomjiscmail/the-small-print > > ********************************************************************** > > ********************************************************************** > > Commands - send an email (any subject) to [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]> with one of the following messages (ignoring text in brackets) > > • set psci-com nomail (to stop receiving messages while on holiday) • set psci-com mail (to resume getting messages) • signoff psci-com (to leave the list) • Subscribe here https://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/cgi-bin/webadmin?A0=psci-com > > Contact list owner at [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]> Small print and JISCMail acceptable use policy https://sites.google.com/site/pscicomjiscmail/the-small-print > > > > > ********************************************************************** > > ********************************************************************** > > Commands - send an email (any subject) to [log in to unmask] with one of the following messages (ignoring text in brackets) > > • set psci-com nomail (to stop receiving messages while on holiday) > • set psci-com mail (to resume getting messages) > • signoff psci-com (to leave the list) > • Subscribe here https://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/cgi-bin/webadmin?A0=psci-com > > Contact list owner at [log in to unmask] > Small print and JISCMail acceptable use policy https://sites.google.com/site/pscicomjiscmail/the-small-print > > ********************************************************************** > > > ********************************************************************** > Commands - send an email (any subject) to [log in to unmask] with one of the following messages (ignoring text in brackets) > > • set psci-com nomail (to stop receiving messages while on holiday) • set psci-com mail (to resume getting messages) • signoff psci-com (to leave the list) • Subscribe here https://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/cgi-bin/webadmin?A0=psci-com > > Contact list owner at [log in to unmask] Small print and JISCMail acceptable use policy https://sites.google.com/site/pscicomjiscmail/the-small-print > > ********************************************************************** ********************************************************************** Commands - send an email (any subject) to [log in to unmask] with one of the following messages (ignoring text in brackets) • set psci-com nomail (to stop receiving messages while on holiday) • set psci-com mail (to resume getting messages) • signoff psci-com (to leave the list) • Subscribe here https://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/cgi-bin/webadmin?A0=psci-com Contact list owner at [log in to unmask] Small print and JISCMail acceptable use policy https://sites.google.com/site/pscicomjiscmail/the-small-print **********************************************************************