Science Fair - Liquid Nitrogen Project

Cerulean

[H]F Junkie
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There is a science fair every year at my school (or some place in the state or something). All students in highschool I think are required to participate once at a minimum.
This year I have to do mine (I'm a junior incase you are wondering).

My interest has always been extravagant cooling. So this is what I wanted to compare and contrast; 5 different cooling methods (Fanless, Fanned, Water Cooling, Dry Ice, Liquid Nitrogen). Overclock at increments of 250mhz, starting at 1GHz (except starting at 2GHz or greater for Dry Ice and Liquid Nitrogen). Then record temperature readings, etc.



Sponsored:
Liquid Nitrogen and Containment
Dry Ice
Copper Welding/Taping



Materials at Hand:
1x Water Cooling System
1x+ Fans
1x Harddrive
1x DVD-Drive
1x Mouse
1x Keyboard
1x Monitor



Materials Needed:
1x Copper Pipe (for storing of liquid nitrogen and dry ice)
2x Copper Heatsink (one heatsink to be welded to the copper pipe)
1x Roll of Insulation (rolling around copper pipe to further prevent condensation)
1x Roll of Heat/Electric Tape (taping insulation)
1x Copper CPU Heatspreader (place between CPU and heatsink for protection against potential cracking)
1x Plastic Spray
1x Central Processing Unit (CPU; preferably a good choice for overclocking, regardless of heat generation; maybe a late 90s or early 0s model)
1x Motherboard
1x 400W to 500W Power Supply Unit (PSU)
1x Large, Thick piece of Styrofoam or Computer Case (for motherboard mounting)
1x PCI Video Card (=< $10)
1x Roll of Wiring (start button)
1x Button (start button)
1x Thermal Sensor Device



Software Acquired:
Windows XP Professional



Software Needed:
CPU-Z



Notes:
Post #4, http://www.overclock.net/cooling-experiments/136098-liquid-nitrogen-cooling.html
Basically, you coat the mobo with silicon sealant. Then use a dialectric grease between the CPU and the socket. You can braxe a copperblock to a coppertube. The tube and block are pressed onto the CPU from above and wrapped in neophrene. Pour in the LN2 and heat that baby up.

http://www.crazypc.com/articles/condensation.htm

http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php?p=2404473

http://www16.big.or.jp/~bunnywk/ln2/ln2_e.html

http://www.tomshardware.com/2003/12/30/5_ghz_project/

http://www.overclockers.com/tips422/

http://www.theinquirer.net/?article=30925

http://www.tomshardware.com/2003/12/30/5_ghz_project/page2.html

http://www.madshrimps.be/?action=getarticle&number=4&artpage=1768&articID=429

http://www.beowulf.org/archive/2001-June/003919.html

http://www.abc.net.au/science/surfingscientist/behind.htm

http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php?t=125155

http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php?t=102575

http://www.techwarelabs.com/articles/mod/condensation_prevention/index_4.shtml

http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php?t=125155



Question:
There was also this solvent or material that I picked up a few days ago (shame I didn't write it down) that helped to prevent condensation..something I could dip the heatsink into for a few moments before setting it aside for future use. Anyone know what it / some might be?



Other Mentions:
I am wide open for recommendations, suggestions, additions, etc. Even though it might not be necessary, your name will be written down on my credits listing. I'll try include photos whenever I can and is possible.
 
You might be considered too young to handle LN2, so make sure you have parent supervision. Unless your dad has experience using L.N. and have the correct gear (goggle, gloves, tongs), I suggest doing something less dangerous to demenstrate in front of a group of people.
Other then that, it shouldn't be too hard to get your hands on LN2. and its fairly safe (it evaporates so quickly in any heat) as long as your risk conscious and get taught a bit on how to handle it.
Oh and make sure not to store it like in your room or something overnight and open windows when transporting it.
 
Hmm, how do you plan on getting the L.N?
The school is paying for it and supplying it with and in proper containers. My biology teacher (just one of those science teachers that you know loves their job to the fullest) will be helping me out.

You might be considered too young to handle LN2, so make sure you have parent supervision.
This is a school/state-wide science fare, my teacher will be helping me out, and my school is basically sponsoring the dry ice, liquid nitrogen and containment. Would be kind of hard to get away without supervision in this kind of environment.

EDIT :: I wouldn't have mentioned liquid nitrogen in the first place if I never had the sponsorship for it.
 
The school is paying for it and supplying it with and in proper containers. My biology teacher (just one of those science teachers that you know loves their job to the fullest) will be helping me out.

This is a school/state-wide science fare, my teacher will be helping me out, and my school is basically sponsoring the dry ice, liquid nitrogen and containment. Would be kind of hard to get away without supervision in this kind of environment.

EDIT :: I wouldn't have mentioned liquid nitrogen in the first place if I never had the sponsorship for it.

It's a good idea to study up on LN2 handling even if you do have an adult helping out. Most people don't know that when pouring LN2 you should not have gloves on. If LN2 seeps inside your gloves your fingetips will become frozen, but if it pours over your arm it won't do anything to you.

Gloves however should be worn mainly for handling the cold material that were in LN2.
 
not if you use LN2 gloves, they are coated with like rubber or something, so it just rolls off rather than soaking in
 
i once used Liquid Nitrogen to get some insane overclocking, to an old P4 2,4Ghz with an Asus mobo, but condensation was a main issue here, i used Polyurethane by mixing polyol and isocyanate, i create my own expanded polyurethane

this is how i did it: first i built a wooden box couple inches bigger than the mobo, put the mobo in with the sound card and vid card on in, put a piece of wood in the in the cpu area and in the video card area, in order to make an opening, through which i could pour the liquid nitrogen. then after mixing the polyol and isocyanate i poured it into the box and close it. then after a couple of minutes i had the mobo all insulated.

U have to calculate the proportions of the ingredients according to the volume and the density. I was fun! so i overclocked the P4 to around 4,4Ghz, not too shabby
 
I know, and everyone can call me a wussy but I am scared to death when I am near LN2. :(

Why? If you pour LN2 on yourself (well, not throw it, but just a gentle pour) the LN2 will turn into a gas before it reaches you.

And if you want real help on LN2 and overclocking, check out xtremesystems, they have a crazy amount of people who do that sort of stuff.
 
when you play with LN2 always take your shirt off, if it soaks into it then it'll burn you [freezeburn], also don't get sweaty, because then the vapor buffer won't work, and it's always better to fear something that can kill you rather than go ahead and drink some
:eek: <-linky
 
my physical chemistry professor in college did a demonstration in front of class once to "wow" us. He claimed it was possible to DRINK LN2. I watched him take a glass of LN2, pour in a mouthful, and spit it across the stage, then pour in a second mouthful, and spit it across the stage. No harm done! (he didn't actually swallow)

You see, LN2 immediately vaporizes on contact with a warm surface and creates a vapor layer so that the liquid doesn't actually touch the skin. However, this removes a lot of heat very quickly and eventually (i mean in 1-3 seconds) the skin will be cold enough that the vapor barrier disappears and liquid touches the skin causing frostbite.

He followed his show up with the comment "don't try this until you are my age. You young folks have a long life ahead, wait until you are >60 to try something stupid like this".

looks like the idiot two posts up in th link actually did swallow...much to his regret.
 
i read this article on digg dot com maybe a few weeks back about some guy that "accidentally" swallowed some LN... he burned some of his insides and had some scars... but he lived...(well... the story was never proven true or false though) lol......so i guess there is no point to this post. haha

edit: here's the article:

http://www.wpi.edu/News/Wire/Jan99/nitrogen.html
 
someone should send them to mythbusters and see if they will put it to the test.
 
my physical chemistry professor in college did a demonstration in front of class once to "wow" us. He claimed it was possible to DRINK LN2. I watched him take a glass of LN2, pour in a mouthful, and spit it across the stage, then pour in a second mouthful, and spit it across the stage. No harm done! (he didn't actually swallow)

You see, LN2 immediately vaporizes on contact with a warm surface and creates a vapor layer so that the liquid doesn't actually touch the skin. However, this removes a lot of heat very quickly and eventually (i mean in 1-3 seconds) the skin will be cold enough that the vapor barrier disappears and liquid touches the skin causing frostbite.

He followed his show up with the comment "don't try this until you are my age. You young folks have a long life ahead, wait until you are >60 to try something stupid like this".

looks like the idiot two posts up in th link actually did swallow...much to his regret.

You didn't go to Rutgers did you? My Physics teacher did the same thing...

Anyway sounds like a great project. Take lots of pictures and keep us posted!

Good luck!
 
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