Get your degree in scientific glassblowing

[MillCreek]

http://www.npr.org/2016/09/25/495173426/glassblowing-program-trains-students-to-craft-tools-for-science?utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=science

If this was close to me, I would sign up in a heartbeat.  One of my favorite classes of all time was a glassblowing class in chemistry school.

[freakazoid]

http://www.npr.org/2016/09/25/495173426/glassblowing-program-trains-students-to-craft-tools-for-science?utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=science

If this was close to me, I would sign up in a heartbeat.  One of my favorite classes of all time was a glassblowing class in chemistry school.

That sounds awesome! Would love to take a class like that just because.

[wmenorr67]

Too bad that one is in NJ. 

[brimic]

A guy I know that I used to work with at Aldrich Chemical moved over to the glass shop (these are highly coveted positions), after a few years he quit and started his own glass business. I probably see him once or twice a month when he drops off repaired glassware at my workplace- he seems to turn away more business than he actually does, and has no lack for money either- usually drives a new BMW... I usually chat with him because he always has guns for sale, a lot of them are shotguns and safari rifles in the 5 figure range. I'd say he made a few solid life choices.

[Kingcreek]

My nephew graduated with a degree in Chemical engineering and material properties (?whatever that is?). He had a professor that expected him to take glass blowing and and also welding. I thought it sounded silly but he ended up with a research fellowship grant working on some kind of new nano battery technology. He said it was great experience.

[slugcatcher]

Where I used to work the envelopes for our pulsed neutron generator tube were hand blown glass.  I was surprised at how consistent they were.  They either all fit properly or none of them did. 

[brimic]

Where I used to work the envelopes for our pulsed neutron generator tube were hand blown glass.  I was surprised at how consistent they were.  They either all fit properly or none of them did. 

For pyrophoric chemistries, we used to use oiled ground glass stir bearings. The tolerances were incredibly tight where you needed to oil the glass stir shaft to get it into the bearing, and the glass bearing had an oil reservoir on top. You could pull vacuum <0.1 mmHg easily on these without leaks.

[230RN]

It has been said by a scientific acquaintance of mine that glassblowers often end up knowing  more science than some scientists.

We got a rudimentary course segment in it in high school and I got to the high level of being able to make a halfway decent "T" and a couple of other simple things.

I had to marvel at the skill required to make a coiled Leibig Condenser after that.  Egad!

I had a brief working acquaintance with a guy who had the title of Instrument Maker III or IV, I forget which, and I heard from someone that scientific "pros" often went to him with cross-discipline questions.

Terry