NMR Quench

Our 500 MHz NMR machine quenched itself today 🙁 Here is an awful quality photo I took of the aftermath.

NMR Quench

NMR Quench

To make things worse, our other machine (300 MHz one) has been out of action since late last year, so we now have no NMR access whatsoever … for any non-chemists out there, this is bad, VERY bad!

MRI Quenching

I did some YouTubing and found this video of an MRI machine quenching itself (MRI and NMR are very similar instruments).

[youtube width=”350″ height=”292″]http://youtube.com/watch?v=1R7KsfosV-o[/youtube]

Liquid Helium

The NMR machine was full of liquid helium. The quenching involved the liquid helium evaporating very rapidly. Here’s a video about the properties of liquid helium and a video of a liquid helium fountain.


Soccer

I’m out of action from playing sports at the moment due to my silly shoulder popping it’s self out of the socket again 🙁 But the chemistry department soccer team said they were usually short of female players so I dragged along Becky Brassett to help them out. The games are played 9 a side on a field hockey turf. Here are some photos I took at the game.

Aggression

Here are some demonstrations of why NOT to play soccer on a sand turf!

First up, Graeme trying to get the ball by running through his opposition.

Graeme getting rough

Next up, a girl from the opposing team wipes out quite spectacularly trying to change directions.

Soccer Wipeout

This aint track and field …

Soccer Wipeout #2

Graeme … WTF?

Graeme levitating

Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">→</span>

Pink Fury

The field hockey team I usually play for (The Soft Sticks) had no opposition at our last game. So they played a game amongst themselves while I took some piccies from the shade on the sideline – I’m still recovering from a dislocated shoulder. The temperatures were searing (26 deg. C I think) so there were some very hot looking pink hockey players by the end of their game.

Mallory Handcock and Natasha Munro

Mallory Handcock (left) and Natasha Munro (right) Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">→</span>

Pink Warriors

I was/am supposed to be playing for the Soft Sticks field hockey team. Except I decided to dislocate my shoulder last week instead 😛 The opposition for the day were ‘Out 2 Score’. Unfortunately my batteries were running on empty so I couldn’t load up the LCD screen to change the ISO settings/exposures so the pictures are all messed up and then it ran totally flat after only taking a few shots 🙁 Hopefully I’ll get some better shots next time.

Nastaha Munro

Our mighty team manager leading the charge to the front

Kara Ross in action

Kara stomping her way down the boards, er, pipe … whatever that black tube thingy is called Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">→</span>

Mum and Dad’s 35th Wedding Anniversary

Some photos from my parents 35th Wedding Anniversary. Thanks to Scott and Marthah for organising everything and eventually remembering to invite me 🙂 The lighting was utter crap so the photos are a bit blurry.

Joan and Ken Hellyer

My Mum (Joan Hellyer) and Dad (Ken Hellyer) posing for the camera.

Anniversary Cake

The cake. It was a carrot one and tasted damn nice!

Robyn Reid, Ken Hellyer, David Hellyer, John Hellyer

Siblings: Robyn Reid, Ken Hellyer, David Hellyer and John Hellyer. Or as I know them, Aunty Robyn, Dad, Uncle David and Uncle John.

 

Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">→</span>