We had a busy lab once again this summer. Two undergraduate students, Jake Dobson and Daniel Lukens, joined us through the NSF-funded REU program. Jake worked on an experimental study of the grain size effect on viscosity of two-phase slurries, thinking about volcanic flows. Daniel worked on fluid transport through ice, using different silicone standards to see if fluid viscosity had an effect on compaction rates. We also had two high school intern for part of the summer: Reuben Belasco and Camille Pimentel. Reuben worked on the play off between regelation and viscous deformation, and the dependence on thermal conductivity, when ice deforms atop hard particles. Camille used trial and error to find the optimal temperature and rotation velocity to fabricate frazil ice in saline and then measured the fluid viscosity of the resulting slurry. Everyone gave weekly status reports. Lots of great science was happening all summer.
But we also had time for some fun. At one point during the summer, inspired during a snack shopping spree, Caitlin and Abhishek decided to hold a Doritos taste test, that is, a test to see if we can tell the difference between traditional doritos, the new Simply NKD version without dyes, and an off brand version. We were pleasantly surprised with the results (the dye free are perfectly acceptable!) A presentation was made. Eyes were closed. Results were tallied. We took it very seriously.
Einat's fluids lab and Austin's river lab both had summer interns as well. With so many people in the warehouse for the summer, we decided to hold three all-instrument building Friday afternoon parties (every other week from midJune - July). It was a great way to get to know people and relax after a long week of research.
We had darts, corn hole, potluck snacks, and the star event of each party was a ping pong tournament, with a whole bracket system coordinated by Charlotte.
Cheng won the first tourney
Jake won the second
Winners were presented with the cherished pineapple. Of course.
Austin brought home the last pineapple of the summer.
My kids joined in the last party. Maybe next year we'll splurge and track down chairs...
