Beyond The Sugar Snake - Explosive Carbon

If you get bored watching the reaction then shame on you but - also - go to time 10:25 and watch from there - it's awesome..... -and if you want to buy materials for your own experiments, try our webshop at www.workingink.co.uk.....

[@steffanjames2992]

Thanks Robert, that was a very entertaining demonstration, I can see you enjoyed show us it as well, thanks mate.

[@ThinkingandTinkering]

I did indeed mate

[@sonnyhayes689]

Rob you just have too much fun... I remember as a kid (revealing my age now) of having these little black pellets. Put a match to it and a black snake would grow and continue for what seemed like a long time. Just a lot of fun... Thanks Rob for kindling the memories. Cheers Mate.

[@ThinkingandTinkering]

awesome mate lol

[@Stanton_High]

"well ventilated" Sorry sir but your smoke detector and coughing says otherwise. 😂

[@ThinkingandTinkering]

I make my choices

[@Stanton_High]

@@ThinkingandTinkering suicide.. FOR SCIENCE!! 😂

[@beavonator]

Robert Murray-Smith I love your work and appreciate how you teach. Thank you

[@ThinkingandTinkering]

@@beavonator thank you mate and thank you for taking the time to say so

[@ThinkingandTinkering]

@@Stanton_High that is so condescending and arrogant - who are you to judge me? is your life so pure it can't stand improvement? But then it is easier to criticise others isn't it

[@fetchitnowuk]

Oh Robert, I do love your videos and to kick off the fire alarm was brilliant.

[@ThinkingandTinkering]

you couldn't plan stuff like that mate lol

[@RWBHere]

Oh boy! You're like me; old school, when it comes to Chemistry. Students today miss so much of the joy of experimentation. Thanks for the nitroaniline reaction, Robert! That's a new one to me.

[@alanbraga2852]

I was just watching the EESD electric bike test video, and now this one has appeared... Very good laughts and science! Another great video, by the way.

[@ThinkingandTinkering]

cheers mate

[@NIGHTOWL-jf9zt]

I was reading the description then 10:30 happened, and I jumped. Great surprise! Thank you.

[@chrisstevens2]

LOL. The Bunsen burner name always brings back good memories of The Muppet Show with Dr. Bunsen and his (overly) trusty assistant Beaker.

[@aga5897]

Beaker was brutally abused and is now in counselling. Dr Bunsen was a naughty naughty chemist.

[@ThinkingandTinkering]

lol

[@RWBHere]

*At **4:24** a fire engine approaches.* That had me in stitches. Thanks Robert.

[@moorem99]

And that folks is just a small example of why science can be so much fun while also interesting. Thanks for that video... great stuff.

[@Sheepsville]

The sugar and sulphuric acid mix was the very first reaction I saw in my first ever chemistry lesson when I began grammar school many, many, MANY ago! However, if I recall correctly I am sure it frothed over the top of the beaker and just kept pouring over the sides.... I have never seen either of the other experiments you did though. The one in sand was fascinating and the last one blew my mind...I wasn't expecting that. I wish the chemistry teacher had shown us that one. Love all your videos and became a new subscriber today,. I have been watching your videos for a while now.

[@mikeflight9]

LMAO. That last one was brilliant. Then I thought it was a joke with the alarm because it sounded like a fire engine. This would make a great comedy sketch. Brilliant video. 👍👍👍🎸🎸🎸

[@richardteychenne3950]

I remember as a kid father making indoor fireworks accompanied by lots of smoke and coughing which were mainly very small carbon snakes. Great to see the adult version.

[@vintasalo]

Lol, that was an awesome way to learn about making carbon. Thanks Robert!

[@DavidPaulNewtonScott]

I am getting to the point on my off grid stone house restoration in Portugal where I am able to start construction jobs next year. I am looking into all kinds of carbon based insulation. You can make carbon foam with baking soda and sugar. All my ideas will be so delicate I will have to contain the stuff in plywood boxes so be it. One idea I have is carbonised popcorn or carbonised puffed rice.

[@zenmanproject]

Oh man! I think this is this the first time in your videos the smoke alarm went off! hahahaha! Well done!

[@ThinkingandTinkering]

lol - you couldn't plan it could you lol

[@nevyngould1744]

Fire! Fire! Oh wait, it's just Rob messing a round with chemicals, again. Much enjoyed, both sides of the camera apparently.

[@aga5897]

Magnificent ! Dunno if Pharoe ever had so many serpents in one sitting ! The Bicarb version i like best - no Glasses required ;)

[@ThinkingandTinkering]

it is nice and safe - a good one for the kids

[@patscopat]

I loved it. Outstanding video and outstanding information as always, thank you, sir.

[@ThinkingandTinkering]

thank you mate

[@Candyman97]

I just get so much joy out of watching you have fun!!!

[@ThinkingandTinkering]

lol - cheers mate

[@jeffreyrood8755]

I really wasn't expecting the end result on the third one lol. That was great!

[@ThinkingandTinkering]

it's quite a reaction for sure

[@armstrongskyview2810]

Hi Robert, do you think this method of producing carbon could be scaled up to a carbon graphictic foam. And or enfuse it with resin, say have a sand mold of an object, put sugar inside, heat it until the foam stops producing and the slice the edges. Once thats done you could do one of two things. 1 - pour resin in until the mould is full, use vibration with say a back massager device or other means (tapping) to get all the air out and the tip the resin back out so that only the least amount of resin is left and enfused. Leaving you an ultra light yet super strong item with an unusual pattern crated by the left over carbon. 2 - carefully remove the carbon from the mould (if possible) or simply heat the mould to as high a temp as you can get it to burn off more carbon. Getting as close to a carbon grapine foam. Them infuse with resin much like before. The point is, you could in a way be producing carbon parts inverted. Instead of laying up sheets of carbon then vacuum forming in resin or painting in resin until the carbon sheet/ cloth is WET, you would be making a solid part that is much like a honey comb type structure that could be strong from the centre out to the surface. This may yield a far stronger yet lighter part.

[@Buzzhumma]

I hear you buddy . Another way is to coat the item with pva glue and let dry. Then dip coat into epoxy . This way the pores dont get filled with heavy epoxy !

[@kreynolds1123]

Where table sugar is sucrose (a disaccharide made of glucose and fructose), cellulose is a polysaccharide made of glucose. One should be able to do simular things with paper shreaded to a powder.

[@ThinkingandTinkering]

for sure

[@scotttovey]

That third one was like opening up one of those "snake in a can" gags. But you get a neat swooshing sound for special affects. Real cool.

[@ThinkingandTinkering]

I know - quite a reaction lol

[@scotttovey]

@@ThinkingandTinkering 😎👍

[@MarkSeve]

That was awesome to see Robert. Quite the immediate reaction. Thank you for the science show today. =)

[@ThinkingandTinkering]

it was fun mate

[@MarkSeve]

@@ThinkingandTinkering I could tell by the way you were giggling like a school girl in the background. LOL. Always getting to do the fun things. =) Good on you mate.

[@Barskor1]

The sugar and baking soda idea is great you can set it up in a flat tray and a preheated oven this will likely give a big block you could cut up, you can dope the mix with other elements like nano copper, boron, nano iron or nickel.

[@Barskor1]

@@ExcelinusCom Sure if handled improperly and skipping a fume hood.

[@cohelixcohelix1212]

You had me at the word explosive!

[@ThinkingandTinkering]

I love that last one mate - it just SHOOTS out lol

[@hartiberlintube]

@@ThinkingandTinkering Yeah, that was really great and a bit scarry..lol ! I wonder which one of these 3 carbon snakes is at all conductive ? Are these just armorphous carbons who don´t conduct electricity when washed or can they be made conductive by pressing the powder together with a spoon on a paper as shown by you earlier ?? Could you try that please next, as you already now have the materials ? Many thanks in advance. Regards, Stefan.

[@ThinkingandTinkering]

@@hartiberlintube they pretty much all amorphous carbons mate and would need further processing to make them good for caps

[@hartiberlintube]

@@ThinkingandTinkering well the question is if these carbons from these acid Snake experiments are really any better than just buying cheap very conductive coconut shell charcoal or just using briquets and let them glow hot red, so they are also getting conductive...

[@reneahlquist7209]

Great and useful experiment. And funny too.

[@ThinkingandTinkering]

cheers mate

[@Buzzhumma]

Hello Rob, i was wondering if you have done any investigation of the use of bone char for a source of battery material? It may be possible to use waste bone char from the refining of sugar cane and would most likely have a great content of magnesium and other goodies.

[@hartiberlintube]

Well done Rob ! The 3rd one I did not know yet. That was hilarious...lol.. Which one gives the best carbon to make conductive carbon.. Sorry, I can´t test it myself, cause I can´t mess around with high concentrated acids over here..and as you have already produced now the carbons, can´t you just do a follow up video and show us, how to get the best conductive carbon for supercaps from it ? Many thanks in advance. Regards, Stefan.

[@ThinkingandTinkering]

what's the point mate if you can't make it?

[@hartiberlintube]

@@ThinkingandTinkering then I would rather buy the cheap pretty conductive Coconut charcoal and maybe would rather heat process this for better conductivity, instead of handling high concentrated acids

[@ambersmith6517]

Boy if I would have had you for a teacher I would have learned something

[@basselq]

would that resulting snakes by any chance be holding graphene? thanks again for ur beautiful videos ,generosity and spirit Bassel

[@ThinkingandTinkering]

I am sorry mate - no - they are amorphous carbons

[@allbeit582]

Awesome Rob, and funny !

[@pommymalik]

Hi Robert, Great work you do here..! I guess we can use this carbon to make Graphene as well!

[@endeshaw1000]

maybe with the right pressure but thats probably nothing one can DIY

[@DavidPaulNewtonScott]

This all has great potential for super insulation. I would be trying to bake the sugar mix in a fixed mould.

[@paulforster6229]

thanks, rob. brilliant stuff and real educational 'safety'. we love you. no critisism, but as a 'chemist' can you think of a practical way of a getting nicotine into your lungs/system without the irritants, something like a small tubular filter with something that grabs the worst offenders but not the good stuff? NOT those puffin-billy 'vape' shite e-things, more of an 'add-on', maybe something that would sell as an accessory. er - graphene/fibre in a short 'straw,' etc. I don't smoke (asthmatic) so I can't test the idea myself. ta.

[@tamaseduard5145]

Thank you sir 🙏

[@ThinkingandTinkering]

cheers mate

[@kreynolds1123]

4:20 someone just called the fire department :D

[@ThinkingandTinkering]

lol

[@robertwjenkins6916]

That last one was fricking awesome...I really enjoy watching your experimentation ...I like to learn new things about my interests...I do want to know if you are interested in experimenting with any solar cell creation?

[@ThinkingandTinkering]

cheers mate - and yep, just only so many hours in a day week month....

[@excitedbox5705]

Nice. Much better framing on these last videos. How would you go about removing the sulfuric acid from the carbon without destroying it?

[@ThinkingandTinkering]

pretty much all you can do is wash it mate - you might try heat but that would generate a lot of acid fumes

[@bipolarchemist]

I don't recall the exact conditions of the reaction, but I experienced something similar while woking with PNA to create electro-optic dyes. With just a little bit of heat, the PNA I noticed a color change(probably to my desired product) and then everything went black. Due to academic blinders, I tossed it into the pile of failed experimental procedures and moved on. As a side note, the reaction will probably work with 2-NA and 3-NA as well. As I said, it was an EO lab so we had an over abundance of cheap starting dye materials for me to play...err, experiment with.

[@bipolarchemist]

One thing I do remember is that there was no sulfuric acid present. That was only used for making piranha solution at the time but other than some sort of benzaldehyde of chloroalkane, I can't think of what the other components may have been.

[@Buzzhumma]

Wow that is truly impressive. Great content rob .

[@ThinkingandTinkering]

cheers mate

[@armstrongskyview2810]

What are your thoughts on, A Carbon Graphitic foam Thors Hammer? Make a thin cardboard interpretation of the hammer, cover it in alu foil and fill with sugar syrup (not fill but enough) and heat until the carbon stops emptying. After this the sking at the top/ exit can be cut away and then fill the hammer with resin. Once full, try to remove air bubbles. Finally turn the hammer upside down and drain the resin before it cures, leaving the carbon wetted yet empty. Because the resin is drying inside the mould there will be little air to assist cure time, so leave for many times the curing time and then begin removing the foil mould. Thoughts please? Would you try this type of experiment? The other method would be to try and remove a greater amount of carbon by reheating beyond the point of aluminium melting point. Let the alu melt away leaving a carbon hammer in the flames and continue to increase the temp to the point where the hammer is more a graphitic foam than a carbon foam. Then of cause enfuse with resin and repeat the above. Please do let me know your thoughts as ive thought of this yet not sure which method if any would be best or most successful/ possible. Regards Chris Armstrong

[@danp1224]

Hi Rob. I liked the last one. Was not expecting that. 😳

[@ThinkingandTinkering]

it was awesome wasn't it lol

[@gyrgrls]

I would love to see some of his experiments with rubidium and hydrogen peroxide. That would be a real blast!

[@monstertoy4620]

Curious to see what exactly this experiment is as some careless Teacher burnt 12 primary school students in Sydney yesterday.

[@buddhahead27]

7 minutes in and I'm still waiting for the explosion... Maybe I'll check out some of his other videos more explosive videos How can I make my own fireworks

[@sconnz]

Wow, that is pretty cool!

[@Zeus830519]

Are those allready conductive?

[@michaelportgas9968]

thanks for sharing the video, i could have needed the ratio of the sulphuric/sugar mixture a week ago, when I did this. researched it for four hours on KZbin then I just decided to use 50g of sugar and 250ml 96% sulphuric acid...bad choice almost killed myself with those bloody fumes and the spilling acid, even thou it was outside. in the end I paniced and needed almost 5 pounds of sodium bicarbonate to neutralize all the stupid stuff until the cooking and bubbling died down in my reaction chamber(and also the cobblestone paving of my front yard haha).

[@ThinkingandTinkering]

awesome mate - you do realise I am laughing with you? lol

[@boblewis5558]

I remember a friend of mine doing that stunt in his home on the fire - over 50 years ago! Amazing stuff and reaction! Cool! Shame possessing sulphuric acid without the relevant licence now in the UK is a criminal (potentially viewed as terrorist) offence. Ironic given that all lead-acid car batteries contain the stuff but somehow are excluded! Always did believe the law is an ass!

[@ThinkingandTinkering]

lol - thanks for taking the time to post mate

[@boo6237]

What are the chemical formulae for the third reaction. specially the trigger which set off the sudden expansion of carbon?

[@thusithawijayawardha2826]

Great job Rob. Can you make another vedio about Viktor Patrick method of production of Graphene?

[@ThinkingandTinkering]

just on it now mate

[@thusithawijayawardha2826]

@@ThinkingandTinkering Great. But last time i watched your video(KMnO4 +Glycerin ).Unfortunately it didn't work for me. Rob, could you please give me your email address?, i can share my experience.

[@ThinkingandTinkering]

@@thusithawijayawardha2826 there's not a lot I can do if I am not there mate - the new vid should help

[@thusithawijayawardha2826]

@@ThinkingandTinkering Thank you Rob. you are unbelievable character. Keep working on it. Good luck. if you can please send your email address. i purchased and read your every books. those are very practical and wonderful books.

[@ThinkingandTinkering]

@@thusithawijayawardha2826 [e-mail]

[@teslafreedomenergy]

can u use this material with some binder and current collector to make the negative electrode for the battery and how?I need to make a negative electrode for my earth battery . if you have an better idea for an good and cheap negative electrode material, teel us please, if you want

[@andycompton4885]

Brilliant

[@ThinkingandTinkering]

thanks mate

[@wallyworld817]

Would like to experiment with magnetism and graphene. Is there a way to make the graphene dielectric enhanced

[@chasemccarthy8640]

Favorite RMS video yet 😂

[@ThinkingandTinkering]

lol - cheers mate

[@boo6237]

And, also, I am wondering whether this carbon snake can be used to filter water?

[@pierrechevaliergeol]

E X C E L L E N T ! H I L A R I O U S ! ! Thanks for sharing your laugh!

[@ThinkingandTinkering]

lol - cheers mate

[@craigglewis]

Lots of fun, and Great to see. :) Costa Rica has lots of sugar. Let's chat soon :)

[@ThinkingandTinkering]

cheers mate and defo

[@niknikwest]

Missed the fuel name in the safe one. What was it and does it matter which we use? I was thinking what could be done with the carbon...a battery?

[@YAHDIBINRUS24]

Great video, as usual

[@ThinkingandTinkering]

cheers mate

[@barabolak]

WELL THAT WAS QUICK!

[@ThinkingandTinkering]

hey - I listen = well sometimes lol

[@Barskor1]

It goes very slowly till it goes very quickly :)

[@zaneaussie]

Hey @Rob I am curious. When this carbon is made does it become an activated carbon foam of sorts? I am curious if this type of carbon has some structure to it not seen in other types of carbon...you mentioned high surface area carbon so that's why I am asking. Like could you crush it up, put it in some Acetone and use it as an effective capacitor material?

[@nebaicita]

well you have grafine nanotubes structure

[@sofa-lofa4241]

I was wondering which method is closest to the original Pharaoh's serpent, which used mercury thiocyanate I think? In the videos I have seen the Pharaoh's serpents are brown and look more like a Medusa head, The black snakes can also be produced with ammonium nitrate and if you add ammonium dichromate you will get green snakes

[@ThinkingandTinkering]

the baking soda one gives a similar result I think but the nitroaniline is the most dramatic in my opinion

[@themeek351]

I think a fume hood might be a good investment!

[@ThinkingandTinkering]

or just do it outside

[@rogerjoy2722]

Can we use process 1 which is H2SO4 & Sugar for supercap? Extracting the foam mix it with water and then slowly add baking soda until the pH is neutral. H2SO4 with NaHCO3 will make Na2SO4. So can we use it in supercapacitor with Na2SO4 as electrolyte?

[@modeirajohnsonii7272]

Could I possibly get the ratios in writing, I can't seem to get experiment two working properly. Thank you!

[@sandmanbub]

@Whoop!

[@jamescunliffe9872]

Could you try the easy method with added graphite powder please?

[@bekyned]

Hahah so funny i loved it!

[@P3nguinDarknes5]

Can these all be graphetized?

[@mkeyx82]

Good show. Too bad the fire alarm made the last call.

[@ThinkingandTinkering]

to be honest mate - thought it was hilarious lol

[@shayhan6227]

If we can make fine nanoscale carbon dust power can that be used as an alternative fuel in an internal combustion type engine?

[@ThinkingandTinkering]

do you know mate - I have no idea - but it does sound challenging technically

[@stemcampprojects7951]

Thanks for your great videos, and I hope your other ventures are going well! Is the carbon from the sugar/baking soda snake activated, or should I powderize it and put it through a microwave cycle? Thanks and cheers!

[@ThinkingandTinkering]

you will for sure have to do more to it

[@danp1224]

STEM Camp Projects hi. Yeah it will need extra processing. I have a few videos with this carbon on a cell unprocessed.

[@stemcampprojects7951]

@@danp1224 What extra processing do you think would be best? I'm thinking 10 grams of this carbon + 2 grams of graphite powder and possibly 1 gram urea in a microwave for 5 minutes at full power. ???

[@danp1224]

STEM Camp Projects. Or soak it in zinc chloride for a few days then 8 minutes or more in microwave.

[@stemcampprojects7951]

@@danp1224 Thanks for the suggestion -- I'll try it. What concentration on the solution? 1 molar? Thanks!

[@geetugupta7244]

If you're using ur time waiting for the 3rd reaction,I doesn't start till 10:24,thnk me later !

[@barabolak]

In case you're looking for a good, easy to use, and free video editing software try Hitfilm Express. You will need a decent computer for it, but at the same time it doesn't require a really high end computer. I just figured you might find this information useful since you're now uploading videos quite often.

[@ThinkingandTinkering]

cheers mate - but I use open shot and I am pretty happy with it

[@boblewis5558]

It is a criminal offence in the UK to manufacture, procure or possess several chemicals including Sulphuric and Nitric acid above prescribed levels of concentration WITHOUT possessing the relevant EPP licence from the home office. The fact that some of these chemicals are freely available in concentrations from certain places does NOT mean that you are free to purchase same from those stores. You have been warned.

[@bloodyricho1]

Stealing oxygen is illegal in the UK also. If you just return all the oxygen that you have stolen to date there will be no repercussions and nothing more said. 👮👍

[@ThinkingandTinkering]

Does that mean everyone who owns a car battery has to have an EPP licence after all car batteries are 33% H2SO4 and the limit is 15% - you are quite right but it is a poorly thought out bit of legislation and around UK£40 to get the licence - you also need to provide proof of identity, proof of address and self certificate that you are not depressed, suicidal or a maniac and a countersignature - a bit of a pain to do but easy enough to get. You have been informed lol - mate the way you put it - very funny

[@ThinkingandTinkering]

for folks in the UK who want to get a licence go here - www.gov.uk/government/publications/licensing-for-home-users-of-explosives-precursors/licensing-for-home-users-of-poisons-and-explosive-precursors it's pretty easy to do and online - but you will need to pay UK£40

[@boblewis5558]

@@ThinkingandTinkering you spotted one of the same logic flaws as I did with the legislation ... Car batteries! Also, as you say, the concentration in car batteries is WAY above the "legal" limit ... Twice in fact (not 11 times as I'd previously written ... Oops ... That's Nitric acid) As for your final point, hey, it's the government and the home office, and as the current fiasco over Brexit shows ... there is ZERO predictability about that bunch ... OR parliament!

[@Buzzhumma]

marinerenewable well the didnt get a govo job because they were intelligent thats for sure !😂😂😂blind leading the blind !

[@rajmulay4062]

have you tested carbon quality of all thes test? .... which one is bater second or third? what hapen with sodium in second test of backing soda?

[@ThinkingandTinkering]

give it a go yourself mate - particularly the baking soda one - cheap easy and safe

[@rajmulay4062]

dear sir thanks

[@rajmulay4062]

i tried second methode and used backing soda 5gm for 100gm shugar ..... added small quantity of water and make thick syrup.... then dropped on firepan ..... very good result ..... light wt foame carbon like your third methode approxmetly 1qfeet in volume..(like cotton) i tried same quantity with table salt .... result was script but slightly tighter structured carbon..... this might be good for water infiltration ......

[@ahmetkutlu9351]

How can i make this sugar foam more conductive, mate?

[@ThinkingandTinkering]

catalytic graphentisation with an iron salt would work - i'll do a video on it if you like as you are a member

[@ahmetkutlu9351]

@@ThinkingandTinkering Rob it would be really perfect if you could make a video for it. Thanks in advance

[@flashlit123]

@@ThinkingandTinkering would the microwave activation using zinc chloride like you did with the carrot work with the sugar carbon? Something without needing a kiln would be great.

[@dremaboy777]

Niceeee

[@ThinkingandTinkering]

cheers mate

[@magnuswootton6181]

all this carbon here is contaminated in some way, if thats what u want, there some way to produce @mineralized@ carbon in the way you want it right from the sugar itself!!!

[@ralphsammis7330]

How much 4 nitroaniline

[@ThinkingandTinkering]

i am not sure mate - but it is not cheap

[@crazyrayuk36]

😂😂😂👏👍 Brilliant

[@trevorvanzuydam8115]

The carbon from the first method is not conductive.

[@bartoszbarejko1585]

I wish to send to you soon my WATER battery pack for you to test .....

[@ThinkingandTinkering]

hiya mate - you are better off writing to me at [e-mail] if you want - cheers

[@steffanjames2992]

I think we’d all like to see that too.

[@aga5897]

Could you give any of us an Idea what the Water battery can do ? Like how much power etc ? A Water battery would be amazing.

[@arthurneddysmith]

10:30 for the explosive reaction.

[@BiagioDiBalsamo]

Non posso pagare non ho nulla

[@BiagioDiBalsamo]

Mi servono i soldi per l Italia mi chiamo Biagio di balsamo e famiglia

[@hirnlager]

:D oO

[@ThinkingandTinkering]

lol

[@BiagioDiBalsamo]

Guariscimi le malattie internazionali e italiane e Swiss e Israele sono come dice il vostro computer mi chiamo Biagio di balsamo e fratelli Biagio di balsamo sono prestigiato con la giocoleria