top of page


Transition Metals in Science and Health
Transition metals are integral to nature, science, health and technology. Common transition metals include iron (Fe), copper (Cu), nickel...
Sylvia Rose
Feb 283 min read
15 views


CubeSats: Science, Technology & Risky Business
CubeSats are miniature satellites with cutting edge technology and aerospace innovation. They are small units measuring 10x10x10 cm and...
Sylvia Rose
Feb 285 min read
22 views


Building Robots: Elastomers, Metals & Plastics
Building robots is a mix of engineering, technology, and creativity. Metals and plastics are the standout choices for roboticists....
Sylvia Rose
Feb 273 min read
30 views


Silicone: Creation, Robotics & Technology
Silicone is strongly integrated into modern technology. From kitchen to electronics and self-healing robots, silicone is a human made...
Sylvia Rose
Feb 264 min read
36 views


Space Satellites: Mechanics & Materials
Space satellites or artificial satellites orbit Earth sending and receiving data. Many function in navigation (GPS) and global...
Sylvia Rose
Feb 266 min read
26 views


Soy Sauce: A Cultural Culinary Odyssey
Soy sauce has a rich umami taste and complex traditional production process taking time and skill. Originating in Asian cuisine, it's a...
Sylvia Rose
Feb 225 min read
16 views


Vibrio Cholerae: the Cholera Bacteria
Vibrio cholerae is the bacterium responsible for cholera, one of history's most destructive diseases. Cholera is an infection of the...
Sylvia Rose
Feb 194 min read
9 views


Yeast & Fermentation: the Crabtree Effect
The Crabtree effect causes yeasts like Saccharomyces cerevisiae to produce alcohol in an oxygenated habitat under osmotic pressures from...
Sylvia Rose
Feb 163 min read
8 views


Pasteurization: Microbial Dominance & Destruction
Pasteurization is a process of treatments designed to remove microbes from milk. Most microbes inhabiting raw milk are lactic acid...
Sylvia Rose
Jan 105 min read
17 views


Cherish the Chocolate: Sweet Fermentation
Chocolate is one of the world's most beloved indulgences. The journey from cacao bean to chocolate bar is a series of artful processes,...
Sylvia Rose
Jan 55 min read
42 views


Brettanomyces: Favorite Artisan Wild Yeast
Brettanomyces is a wild yeast with domestic traits. "Brett" is found throughout the natural world. Microscopy helps define and...
Sylvia Rose
Jan 57 min read
59 views


Isolate Lactic Acid Bacteria for Artisan Flavors
Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) create delicious flavors and tangy textures in dairy products like cheese, yogurt and fermented milk. These...
Sylvia Rose
Jan 44 min read
8 views


Sublimation & the Aludel: Medieval Alchemy
Sublimation is a process of refinement, purification or extraction of specific elements. The aludel, a unique alchemical apparatus, is...
Sylvia Rose
Dec 15, 20245 min read
15 views


Silica, Silicon & Silicone: Differences & Similarities
Silica, silicon, and silicone refer to related but distinct substances with specific properties, applications, and origins. Silica is...
Sylvia Rose
Dec 12, 20244 min read
31 views


Brownian Motion: Physics & Phenomena
Brownian motion vividly illustrates the appearance of chaos at a microscopic level. This phenomenon, first observed by botanist Robert...
Sylvia Rose
Dec 11, 20245 min read
8 views


Andreas Libavius: Science & Controversy of Alchemy
Andreas Libavius (c. 1550-1616) is one of the most influential figures of Renaissance alchemy, active in the Elizabethan era. His book...
Sylvia Rose
Dec 5, 20246 min read
10 views


Silica (SiO2): Nature of Glass & Gems
Silica, or silicon dioxide (SiO2), occurs in the Earth’s crust, the microcosm and daily life. Silica makes ancient glass such as...
Sylvia Rose
Dec 2, 20247 min read
13 views


Silicon (Si): Fueling the Robot Apocalypse
Silicon (Si) is one of the most abundant elements on Earth, a ductile metal important to industry and natural processes. Silicon is used...
Sylvia Rose
Dec 1, 20245 min read
22 views


Cobalt (Co): The Little Goblin Who Could
Cobalt is a silvery grey metal used across various fields, including science, medicine, and industry. It receives its name from the...
Sylvia Rose
Nov 28, 20246 min read
19 views


Flowers of Antimony: Pure Medieval Purgative
Flowers of antimony are a purified form of antimony trioxide (Sb2O3). Created through sublimation, they have chemical and medical...
Sylvia Rose
Nov 25, 20244 min read
24 views
bottom of page