Water Lichtenberg Figures

Lichtenberg figures and the associated 'electrical treeing effect' have been studied scientifically since the 1700's and known since ancient times. Heinrich Hertz used them in his proofs of James Clerk Maxwell's famous equations, and the physics involved inspired the creation of the photocopier.

They're created when a dielectric — a material that resists the flow of electricity — experiences a catastrophic failure.  As such, they're often found in failed insulation when high-voltage equipment kills itself.

Hit any dielectric with a high enough voltage and you can generate one. The most impressive modern artistic examples are the Beam Trees made with a block of acrylic and a linear particle accelerator:

If you are unlucky enough to be struck directly by lightning, you may receive a Lichtenberg figure tattoo, sometimes called a 'Lichtenberg Flower' (Google Image Search at your own risk).

The New Lab

Two weeks ago, I changed research labs for my graduate studies in Chemical Engineering at UC Berkeley.  The transition has been smooth and painless thanks to some great people on either side of the transfer, and I'm looking forward to spending the next few years in the laboratories of Drs. David Graves and Doug Clark.

A change like this is generally considered to be a Big Deal, but my graduate school experience (aka 'several prime years of my life') will be a much better one as a direct result.  If something in your life is falling flat, draining your energy, failing to inspire you to do your best work... by all means, make a change.  This may require overcoming substantial psychological, social, institutional, or societal inertia.   Do it anyway.  The rest of your life happens exactly once, and there is no time to waste in non-ideal situations — bad school, bad job, bad relationship — that you can change if you take the initiative.  Don't let laziness, a preoccupation with being comfortable, and Status Quo Stockholm Syndrome ruin your life.

This place is a Maker's paradise.  A few photos from my first week of messin':

Strange Beautiful Music

Music is an important part of my life.  As such, I'm constantly seeking out new and inspiring intersections of music and technology.

Plasma Speaker

Last week, I adapted my high-voltage flyback driver to function as a plasma speaker.

From the video description:

Hello World

"But don't you already have a blog?"

Correct!  And Higher Still has become my professional blog; this will be my personal blog.

What happens over there?  I share lifestyle advice, primarily.  Read those articles like an instruction manual, and hopefully they'll improve your life.

Over here?  I'll share various and sundry opinions and talk about the more interesting things going on in my own life.  Travel and adventure, books and music, politics and tech news?  Over here.  Reading these articles will almost certainly not improve your life.

Don't forget food porn.

Trying some of this stuff at home is more likely to end it.