Alibaba's wonders

China isn't an easy place to live. But if you're an inventor on a budget, this is the place to be. Just go on Alibaba and get samples of absolutely anything from neodymium magnets to industrial explosives sent within a couple of days. Shipping fee: a dollar or so.



Just fooling around massively as we're waiting for the cables to arrive... ordered some fluorescin and rhodamine B, two chemical substances that react to UV light by giving off a bright yellow or red hue. How about a red time fountain?



Also put in some queries for magnetic iron particles and oleic acid. You can make ferrofluid with this stuff. Have been wanting to test out what solenoid strength is needed to achive those Sachiko Kodama effects. And by the way, can ferrofluid be made fluorescent by adding fluorescin??

All right, this is totally off-topic. Last thing though, can you believe you can get a sample of Dexpan in the mail here? Noisy neighbors or landlords refusing to return a deposit? No problem. Drill four holes in the floor and literally bring down parts of the building. You think you need to show a license to get some of this stuff? Think again. Oh, China!!!! :-)

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