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Popcorn popping...

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SenKat

Guest
Well.....I would post videos, but everyone would fall asleep :'(

I sharpied some popcorn kernels
I left some as-is

I tried with my Laserglow Aries 175 - Smoked like hell - burnt it up, but no pop

I tried it with my DVD burner laser - Smoked like hell - burnt, no pop either

In deperation, I tried my 1.2 Watt 808nm diode - again, smoke, no pop.

Has anyone EVER been able to do this, and if so - using what laser, under what conditions ?

Very depressing - and I was looking forward to a snack :(
 





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pseudonomen137

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Yeah, you're getting the same results as us over at LC a few months back ;D. Sometimes you just can't replace the microwave..

Maybe try diverging the beam and then converging it back around the kernel so you don't have a concentrated area the laser pokes a hole through? Even so it'd probably be really difficult to get enough heat at the center. I've tried with the RPL before to no luck. I would try with ~10-20W IR tonight but I have to pack for a trip to Houston tomorrow, so I'll try it out when I get back (assuming you guys haven't already managed!)
 
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timelord

Guest
Doing the popcorn will need some serious energy. So lets say if a herc (CALLING WINDSTRINGS LOL ;D) won't do it :eek: then it can only be the bad boys of IR that stand a chance AND certainly a real challenge.
 
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SenKat

Guest
I'm gonna over-drive this little 1.2 watt IR dude today and give it another shot....I think maybe going through an enclosure - similiar to Windstrings underwater match light may work....it would keep the heat, etc all in one small area.....hmmmmmI have an idea ! The little glass vial that eyglass repair kits come in, perhaps ? I dunno - I am a man on a mission now, though ! LOL
 
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timelord

Guest
SenKat said:
I'm gonna over-drive  this little 1.2 watt IR dude today and give it another shot....I think maybe going through an enclosure - similiar to Windstrings underwater match light may work....it would keep the heat, etc all in one small area.....hmmmmmI have an idea !  The little glass vial that eyglass repair kits come in, perhaps ?  I dunno - I am a man on a mission now, though ! LOL
Click to expand...
Not quite Tom cruise but you get on it mate ;)
 
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stevetexas

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maybe the beam is TOO focused.  perhaps diverging it a bit through a plano convex lens would do the trick.  Add a more even heat to pop the kernel rather than just burn through it.
 
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SenKat

Guest
Yeah - I was thinking maybe dye some vegetable oil BLACK, and heat that up with the kernel in it...maybe that would do it ? I may get my red, my Aries, and my IR all going at once, and watch that kernel go NUTS ! LOL
 
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Ragnarok

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The popcorn kernel shell must remain intact. The temperature of the entire kernel must be uniformly raised to beyond the boiling point of the residual water (~13%) contained in the kernel. When the strain on the shell from the pressure of the superheated water reaches the breaking point, the shell cracks, the water flashes into steam and puffs the contents.

This points to my suggesting the following experimental methods:

Darken the kernel so it will absorb energy. Using at least two lasers, illuminate the kernel as evenly as possible from opposing sides, ensuring that the beams are not focused but instead cover the entire area of the kernel.

Or, wrap the kernel tightly in aluminum foil, then paint that black; this method uses the foil to conduct heat around and into the kernel and even out the thermal energy.
 
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SenKat

Guest
Hmmmm...I tried coloring the kernel, but did not diffuse the beam enough to avoid poking holes in it ! That is why I was thinking of the enclosed space, or dark colored oil to "boil" the kernel....
 
Hemlock_Mike

Hemlock_Mike

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SenKat --

There's popcorn with a black hull available. If you burn through, NO pop. Iy needs pressure. Glue a kernal to a slow motor , spin it and heat evenly !!
Seems like a lot of work for a small snack !!

I was poping balloons with my "little yag" tonight !!

Mike
 
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SenKat

Guest
You gotta get pics of that YAG in action, man....is it colliminated ? I want pics !!!! Hmmmm...rottessirie popcorn ! Even heating....that may work, too !
 
P

Proctor

Guest
Don't popcorn kernels pop from the inside? Hence why a Microwave is used?

I don't think it's possible, but I'll try it when I get my PGLIII 175mW
 
D

DD776

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Yet the Native Americans 4000–5000 years ago made popcorn (Who I doubt had microwaves back then) using a pot. Also, for one, microwaves do NOT cook from inside-out. Clearly the opposite.

My whole point of that was that you do not need to use a microwave to cook popcorn.
 
Benm

Benm

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I think it would be close to impossible to do this with a laser of any power level. You can clearly set the husk of the kernal on fire, but that would just make a hole on that side preventing pressure buildup and popping.

To make it pop, you need to heat it evenly from all sides, and hot enough to turn the water inside to steam. This works well in a microwave oven or a pan of hot oil, but doing this with lasers is just crazy. You'd have to bombard it with light from all sides at the same time, so unless you have a dozen or more powerful pointers i wouldn't give it a chance.
 
Hemlock_Mike

Hemlock_Mike

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YES --- We have popcorn FUSION energy !!

SenKat -- 12 beams on a kernal from all sides --- This would make a great video ;D It might work :eek:

I like mine with melted butter !

Mike
 
M

millionaire

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Benm said:
I think it would be close to impossible to do this with a laser of any power level. You can clearly set the husk of the kernal on fire, but that would just make a hole on that side preventing pressure buildup and popping.

To make it pop, you need to heat it evenly from all sides, and hot enough to turn the water inside to steam. This works well in a microwave oven or a pan of hot oil, but doing this with lasers is just crazy. You'd have to bombard it with light from all sides at the same time, so unless you have a dozen or more powerful pointers i wouldn't give it a chance.
Click to expand...


Microwaves work by sending out waves that vibrate at a high speed. and we all know everything vibrates at a certain frequency and the waves that the microwave sends out vibrates about the same speed as water and we all know that mostly everything contains water. so the waves get the water vibrating fast enough to heat it up. thats why the plate normally doesnt get hot. I think this is right but not 100% sure. someone correct if i am wrong.
 
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