Re: Copper beads as thermocycling "block" - Was: [DIYbio] What do open source PCRs need?

On 02/11/2016 02:18 PM, Mac Cowell wrote:
> googling suggest that aggregates of metals like these conduct heat much worse than solids... perhaps only 10-30%? as thermally
> conductive as it would be if it were solid. That said, pure copper is apparently 1.5-2x as thermally conductive as pure aluminum
> <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_thermal_conductivities>.
>
> So in conclusion, perhaps $60 of copper beads surrounding tubes would perform "within range" of a milled aluminum block - and
> without requiring a finicky heated lid.
>
> Just some fun ideas!
>
> Mac

The beads or grit all have air space that is insulating, so they won't conduct well, and they have mass, so the low conduction and
mass inertia makes for an extra long heat up exponential curve.

Actively stirred hot air, then opening a door will beat all these plus metal milled blocks too.

Zinc is easy to melt and inexpensive. You could make up a plate with pins in it of your desired shape of vials and cast it. Just
for fun. Lead is even easier, and easier to find laying around since we still use it for car batteries and tire weights. Not PC
though.

Copper is not easy to cast -- pours like molasses/honey, (yes, I've done it), and you're at glowing yellow orange temperature.
Not fun unless you like metal a lot.

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