Making uranium glass
NileRed・2 minutes read
Uranium glass contains small amounts of uranium, which gives it unique fluorescent properties, and its production peaked in the late 1800s before halting during World War II; the speaker experimented with making the glass using uranyl nitrate and sodium diuranate, ultimately incorporating uranium powders yet resulting in a final product that surprisingly did not fluoresce under UV light. The speaker highlights the complexities of glass chemistry, shares techniques learned from online channels, and discusses the importance of safe handling of radioactive materials while promoting an educational platform called Brilliant for learning about STEM subjects.
Insights
- Uranium glass, while containing a small amount of uranium, exhibits unique properties such as fluorescence under black light, but the final product may not always fluoresce, revealing the complexities of uranium glass chemistry and the challenges in achieving desired outcomes during the glass-making process.
- The speaker's journey in creating uranium glass involved navigating legal restrictions and refining techniques, including the use of uranyl nitrate and sodium diuranate, along with careful measurements and processes to manage radioactivity levels, ultimately emphasizing the importance of understanding glass chemistry for successful experimentation.
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Recent questions
What is uranium glass made of?
Uranium glass is a type of glass that contains a small amount of uranium, which is not the primary component but contributes to its unique properties. The uranium gives the glass its distinctive fluorescence under ultraviolet (UV) light, often appearing green due to the presence of iron in some formulations. This glass was popular in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, known for its vibrant colors and ability to glow under black light, making it a sought-after collectible today. The specific composition can vary, but the inclusion of uranium is what sets it apart from regular glass.
How is sodium diuranate created?
Sodium diuranate is created through a chemical reaction involving uranyl nitrate and sodium hydroxide. To produce it, 15 grams of uranyl nitrate are dissolved in water, and then 30 grams of sodium hydroxide, mixed in 70 milliliters of water, is added to the solution. The pH of the mixture is carefully monitored and adjusted until it reaches approximately 10, which facilitates the formation of sodium diuranate as a solid precipitate. This solid is then filtered, washed with distilled water, and dried under vacuum to minimize dust exposure. The final product is a crucial component in the process of making uranium glass.
Why does uranium glass not always fluoresce?
The fluorescence of uranium glass is not guaranteed despite the presence of fluorescent materials in its composition. In some cases, the final product may not exhibit the expected fluorescence under UV light, which highlights the complexities involved in the chemistry of uranium glass. Factors such as the specific materials used, the glass-making process, and the conditions under which the glass is cooled can all influence whether the glass will fluoresce. This unpredictability is an important consideration for those experimenting with uranium glass, as it demonstrates that achieving desired visual effects can be challenging.
What is the purpose of annealing glass?
Annealing glass is a crucial process aimed at relieving internal stress that develops during the glass-making process, particularly due to rapid cooling. When glass is heated and then cooled too quickly, it can lead to fractures or breakage. By annealing, which involves heating the glass to a specific temperature (around 450°C) and holding it there for several hours, the atoms within the glass are allowed to rearrange themselves. This gradual cooling process helps to reduce stress and improve the structural integrity of the glass, resulting in a more durable final product. Proper annealing is essential for ensuring the longevity and usability of glass items.
How can I measure radiation levels safely?
To measure radiation levels safely, a Geiger counter is commonly used, which detects and counts ionizing radiation particles. When using a Geiger counter, it is important to understand that it measures the count of particles per minute (cpm) but does not differentiate between types of radiation, such as alpha, beta, or gamma. For a more comprehensive assessment of exposure, readings can be converted to micro Sieverts per hour, which provide a clearer picture of potential health risks. For instance, a reading of 5.5 micro Sieverts per hour indicates exposure similar to a dental X-ray every two hours. Regular monitoring and understanding of these readings are essential for safe handling of materials that may emit radiation.
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Summary
00:00
Uranium Glass Chemistry and Experimentation Insights
- Uranium glass is not made entirely of uranium but contains a small amount of uranium, which gives it unique properties, particularly its fluorescence under black light, appearing green due to the presence of iron in some cases.
- The production of uranium glass peaked in the late 1800s and early 1900s but declined during World War II when uranium was redirected for nuclear research, leading to a halt in its manufacturing until the late 1950s when some restrictions were lifted.
- The speaker initially planned to create uranium glass using uranium ore but shifted to using depleted uranium due to legal restrictions on refining uranium, opting instead for uranyl nitrate, which forms yellow crystals and is less radioactive.
- A Geiger counter was purchased from Amazon to measure radiation levels, with a baseline reading of 15 counts per minute (cpm), indicating low natural background radiation, but it was noted that the counter could not detect alpha particles emitted by uranium.
- The speaker experimented with uranyl nitrate under UV light, confirming its fluorescence, and decided to convert it into sodium diuranate for the glass-making process, as this was the recommended method found in limited resources.
- To create sodium diuranate, 15 grams of uranyl nitrate were dissolved in water, and sodium hydroxide (30 grams in 70 milliliters of water) was added, with the pH monitored using pH paper until it reached approximately 10.
- The sodium diuranate formed as a solid precipitate, which was filtered using a coffee filter, washed with distilled water, and then dried under vacuum to minimize dust exposure, taking about five hours to achieve a mostly dry state.
- The final drying process involved placing the sodium diuranate in a vacuum chamber for 3 to 4 days to ensure it was completely dry, resulting in a final weight of 9 grams of the compound.
- Testing the dried sodium diuranate with the Geiger counter showed that the glass could block most radiation, with readings only slightly above background levels, primarily detecting beta particles.
- Despite expectations, the final glass did not fluoresce under UV light, indicating that the presence of fluorescent materials does not guarantee fluorescence in the final product, highlighting the complexities of uranium glass chemistry.
12:54
Glass Making with Uranium Incorporation Techniques
- The process of making glass involves using sodium diuranate and requires knowledge of glass chemistry, which can be complex for beginners. The author learned techniques primarily from Ben's Applied Science channel and Andy's How to Make Everything channel.
- For beginners, a recommended glass-making mixture includes 60 grams each of silica, sodium carbonate, and boric acid, all of which can be easily ordered from Amazon.
- To achieve a finer powder for glass-making, the author blended the initial mixture for a few minutes until it resembled flour, improving the quality of the glass produced.
- The glass-making process involves melting the powder in a furnace set to approximately 1,100°C, where sodium carbonate melts and boric acid decomposes into boron trioxide and water vapor, lowering the overall melting point of the mixture.
- The author allowed the mixture to liquefy for about 30 minutes, then used a blowtorch to preheat a graphite square before pouring out the melted glass, which appeared satisfactory after cooling for 15 to 20 minutes.
- To incorporate uranium into the glass, the author ground 0.4 grams of uranium to a fine powder, aiming for a concentration of 0.25% by weight, which was mixed into the glass without altering its appearance.
- The glass was melted again in the furnace for about 30 minutes, and after cooling, it exhibited a bright yellow color, indicating successful incorporation of uranium, which was tested under a UV lamp for fluorescence.
- The author encountered issues with the glass breaking due to internal stress from rapid cooling, leading to a decision to insulate the glass for slower cooling, although this still resulted in some pieces breaking.
- To properly relieve internal stress, the author planned to anneal the glass at around 450°C for several hours, allowing the atoms to rearrange and reduce stress, which was done overnight.
- After successfully annealing the glass, the author tested the radioactivity of the pieces using a sensitive Geiger counter, which indicated a higher reading than pure uranyl nitrate due to the detection of alpha particles from the uranium.
25:52
Detector Design and Learning Platform Insights
- The detector's design features a larger surface area, allowing it to detect more particles, but it only measures the count of particles (cpm) without distinguishing between types like alpha, beta, or gamma radiation. For assessing danger levels, using micro Sieverts per hour is more informative; for example, a reading of 5.5 micro Sieverts per hour indicates exposure similar to a dental X-ray every two hours, while a smaller bead measures 1.3 micro Sieverts per hour, suggesting that while occasional handling is generally safe, carrying multiple pieces is not advisable.
- The speaker discusses their return to sponsorships, specifically with Brilliant, a learning platform they had not previously known about but have enjoyed using for a week. Brilliant offers mini-courses in subjects like math, physics, chemistry, and computer science, presented in an engaging, game-like format that allows for flexible learning in small sections, making it suitable for users with limited time.
- Brilliant provides a free version for initial exploration, with an option to upgrade to a premium subscription that offers more content and features. The speaker encourages using their referral link, brilliant.org/NileRed, to receive a 20% discount for the first 200 users who sign up. Additionally, they express gratitude to their Patreon supporters, who receive early access to videos and can interact directly with the speaker, with special recognition for those contributing $5 or more.
