[Rockhounds] mineral exhibit

[Alan Goldstein]

I am only going to use materials in the final product, with the exception of 
a few things (like fluorite to help purify molten iron). I don't want to 
research every step. No time and it is beyond the scope of the exhibit.

This exhibit will run from late August through late November. I don't intend 
to put in hundreds of hours of research time for an exhibit that is only up 
for four months. I've only got 6 display cases anyway. They are large enough 
to hold several hundred specimens. And since this is an exhibit for the 
general public, I am going to utilize more pretty pieces than ores.

Alan

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Axel Emmermann" <axel.emmermann at pandora.be>
To: "'Rockhounds at drizzle.com: A mailing list for rock and gem collectors'" 
<rockhounds at lists.drizzle.com>
Sent: Sunday, July 13, 2008 5:58 AM
Subject: RE: [Rockhounds] mineral exhibit


>> The Mineral Information Institute indicates there are 35
>> minerals and metals in a computer. Why they distinguish
>> metals from minerals, I do not know.
>
> Maybe because some minerals are used "as is" in plastics and ceramics.
> For example: micas and clay minerals are often used to enhance electric
> insulation of plastics. Silica is used to reduce friction in sheet 
> plastic.
>
> Here's another: sulfur to vulcanize the rubber anti-friction pads under 
> your
> keyboard. Gallium, indium, arsenic for the LED lights. Chlorine in the PVC
> of the power cables would come from halite. Magnetite for the floppy disks
> and harrdive.
> Mercury and xenon for the UV lamps for hardening the glues, plastics and
> varnishes are used for making your office but are no longer part of it. Do
> you want to include those?
>
> Cheers
> Axel
>
> -- 
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