Watch what happens when you put different things in the microwave. Items that get fried include soap, a ping pong ball, a lit match, a CD and gunpowder.

I have always love sticking things in the microwave and watching what happens, unfortunately my parents did not find it as interesting.

Putting random things in the microwave can yield pleasing visual results, but be warned; there is an element of danger involved. 800HighTech can not be held responsible for your own actions!

Soap

Watch as the bar of soap morphs and grows, almost filling the half of the microwave.

Gunpowder

This is one you definitely should not try at home! Gunpowder turns your microwave into an improvised bomb.

CD

Check out this amazing display of light as a CD sizzles and crackles in the microwave.

Match and Glass

This little set up produces more amazing fireworks. Half way into the clip burning plasma jumps from the flame engulfing the glass, soon causing it to smash.

Ping Pong Ball

The guys who made this video didn’t allow enough time for the desired effect the first time round. The ping pong ball begins to morph and melt but then the timer stops….

The guys immediately go for it again and the results…well they speak for themselves! A fiery explosion indeed.

Scientists in Silicon Valley have discovered a type of bug that when altered genetically eats natural waste and excretes oil.

These tiny single cell organisms developed by a Silicon Valley-based company called LS9, eat agricultural waste such as woodchips or wheat straw and amazing, they excrete crude oil.

Greg Pal, 33, senior director of LS9 explained that the small beaker of bug excretion (shown in the picture above) could theoretically be poured directly into the tank of a car. Although this kind of testing has not yet begun, Pal estimates that within just a month’s time, this renewable petroleum will begin tests in the engines of automobiles.

“Ten years ago I could never have imagined I’d be doing this, I mean, this is essentially agriculture, right? But the people I talk to – especially the ones coming out of business school – this is the one hot area everyone wants to get into.”

LS9 is just one of several companies in Silion Valley who have begun research into other high-tech ways of developing oil. There are hopes that new developments on the horizon could make a $140 barrel of oil from Saudi Arabia obsolete.

The company claims “Oil 2.0” will be renewable and also carbon negative, this means that the emitted carbon levels will be less than that drained from the atmosphere by the raw materials used to make it.

Using bacteria for fermentation is not a new idea. The process used for making oil 2.0 is essentially the same as the process used for producing ethanol but with one major difference; the bacteria used to make ethanol is natural whereas to produce oil, the bacteria must be genetically modified.

Mr. Pal explains that LS9’s single-cell organisms start out as industrial yeast or nonpathogenic strains of E. coli. They are then modified by custom-de-signing their DNA.

“Five to seven years ago, that process would have taken months and cost hundreds of thousands of dollars, Now it can take weeks and cost maybe $20,000.”

LS9 began development with a nice round donation of $20 million from Vinod Khosla, the co-founder of Sun Micro-systems. Now the company also has top industry veterans like Shell interested in their new project.

Bob Walsh, 50, the president of Shell says,

“How many times in your life do you get the opportunity to grow a multi-billion-dollar company?”

LS9 are already beginning to look into mass producing this renewable oil. A prototype fermenting jar which holds 1000-litres and is controlled by a wardrobe-sized computer has been constructed and is now waiting to begin testing.

Size and space is one of the major factors the company faces in the development of this technology. Using their current fermenting jar, a facility that covers approx 205 square miles would be required to cope with America’s 143 million barrel-a-week consumption rate.

But Mr. Pal explains that if LS9 were for example, to use Brazilian sugar cane as its feedstock for the bacteria, the fuel would only cost around $50 a barrel.

Although there is still a large challenge ahead Mr. Pal says,

“Our plan is to have a demonstration-scale plant operational by 2010 and, in parallel; we’ll be working on the design and construction of a commercial-scale facility to open in 2011..
..I have two children, and climate change is something that they are going to face. The energy crisis is something that they are going to face. We have a collective responsibility to do this.”

A collaborative research team with members from Duke University and Boston College has developed a metamaterial that can absorb 100% of the light reflected upon it.

The metallic material can absorb both magnetic and electrical properties of electromagnetic waves over a certain frequency range and turn this light into heat.

Heat is known as one of the most efficient energy sources thus, this new metamaterial is capable of generating even more energy than solar cells.

The material is black, with currently rules out any camouflaging options but researchers are sure that there are many uses for this new metamaterial.

The fact that scientist are still searching for news to produce electricity shows that we have much to learn about producing electricity efficiently. It will be extremely interesting to see how this technology develops and where it takes us.

9. Thermite vs. Liquid Nitrogen

One of the greatest scientific questions of all time: can liquid nitrogen freeze molten iron?

8. Gummy Bear Dies In Firework Display

Watch the helpless gummy bear explode when it is dropped into liquid potassium chlorate.

7. Scientist Spits Flaming Spores

A favorite circus trick. In this instance the scientist breaths fire by igniting a cloud of lycopodium spores.

6. Mysterious Reaction Creates an Undulating Brew

Here we see several clear liquids being poured into a beaker; the mixture then quickly changes colors, over and over again. This demonstration was perfected back in 1973 by two high school teachers Thomas Briggs and Warren Rauscher.

5. How to Make Stalagmites Instantly

Sodium acetate will suddenly crystallize if you prepare a saturated solution and pour it onto a seed crystal. This is same chemical reaction found in many hand warmers.

4. Elephant Toothpaste

If you mix concentrated hydrogen peroxide with dial soap and then add a pinch of sodium iodide, a fountain of oxygen-filled bubbles will erupt from the container.

3. How to Make Your Own Glow Sticks

Ever wondered how glow sticks generate light?

2. The Inner Life of A Cell

Animator John Liebler gave the world a look at the beautiful ballet of molecules which gives rise to life.

1. Magnesium Burning Between Bricks of Dry Ice

The pick of the bunch! Watch magnesium burn whilst sandwiched between two bricks of dry ice. This is possible because magnesium can combust in an atmosphere of pure carbon dioxide.