Making Liquid Nitrogen From Scratch!

I used a nitrogen membrane and Stirling cryocooler to liquefy nitrogen out of the air. For this video I partnered with Starbucks to celebrate their Nitro Cold Brew. Order one here: https://starbucks.app.link/derekmuller

Making liquid nitrogen is hard - in fact up until 150 years ago scientists doubted whether it was even possible to liquefy nitrogen. In 1823, At the royal institution in London, Michael Faraday first produced liquid chlorine, kind of accidentally by putting it under high pressure. He similarly liquefied ammonia.

Borrowing a mixture from Thilorier in France, a combination of dry ice, snow and ether, he reached a temperature of -110C. By 1845 he used this mixture plus a hand pump to pressurize gases to liquefy all the known gases except six, which included oxygen and nitrogen. These became known as the “permanent” gases.

A French Physicist Aimé compressed oxygen and nitrogen in tanks and then lowered them into the ocean over 1.6km deep, where the pressure got up to 200 atmospheres. Still the gases didn’t liquefy.

Only at the end of 1877 were the first droplets of liquid oxygen and liquid nitrogen produced, by Cailletet in France. He first tried oxygen by compressing it up to 300 atmospheres, cooled to -30C, but that wasn't even enough to liquefy oxygen. But when he suddenly released the pressure, the expanding gas cooled, he estimated to -200C and he saw a mist and then droplets slide down the walls of his vessel.

It's amazing how far we've come in that now I can purchase a helium-based cryocooler. It compresses and expands the gas to absorb heat from the tip of the cold finger and eject it into the surroundings at ambient temperature.

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Unveil the Unseen: Dive into the World of 'Captain Disillusion'

In today's digital age, where information is at everyone's fingertips, it's easy to get swept away by seemingly unbelievable content that inundates our screens daily. Whether it's a mind-boggling viral video or an uncanny photo circulating online, distinguishing fact from fiction has become increasingly challenging. Enter 'Captain Disillusion,' a TV series that not only entertains but educates viewers on deciphering the truth behind visual fakery.

The first season of 'Captain Disillusion' introduces us to a world where appearances are often deceptive, and what you see isn't always what you get. Our titular hero, Captain Disillusion, steps up to guide audiences through this labyrinth of digital deception with his signature blend of humor and analytical prowess. With 106 episodes in its debut season, there's no shortage of content for eager minds ready to learn about the intricate art of debunking.

Each episode serves as a masterclass in skepticism and critical thinking, starting with Episode 1, where Captain Disillusion confronts the bizarre concept of violent penguins and tackles attention-seeking visual effects creators. As we move into Episode 2, the captain turns his vectorscope towards Japan's digital curiosities, unraveling their mysteries with precision.

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