Making developer from (totally) raw ingredients

Steve Smith · May 26, 2009

If I was on a deserted island I would be too busy looking for a wooden boat to smash up to make a raft.

Steve.

clayne · May 26, 2009

ntenny said:
The latter, I think, for most of us. But there's a disorder called alkaptonuria that causes a developing agent related to hydroquinone to be excreted in the urine: see http://www.cmaj.ca/cgi/content/full/172/8/1002, a case study that includes a portrait of the patient developed in his urine.

-NT

Nathan, very fascinating. Thanks for this.

milosz · May 26, 2009

Ian Grant said:
The expression "taking the piss" comes to mind.

I'm not being rude, the expression comes from the old practice of taking the urine from the gents urinals in London by boat in wooden barrels to the North East coast of England, where it was hauled up a cliff face to a chemical works to extract the ammonia.

Urea breaks down to Ammonia, so that's one source of alkali

Ian

ammonia is also a rather weak silver halide solvent...so in principle it might do for a fixer...mind the gas- it is poisson...

Steve Smith · May 26, 2009

milosz said:
mind the gas- it is poisson...

Ammonia gas is a French fish?

Steve.

Murray Kelly · Jun 25, 2009

ntenny said:
The latter, I think, for most of us. But there's a disorder called alkaptonuria that causes a developing agent related to hydroquinone to be excreted in the urine: see http://www.cmaj.ca/cgi/content/full/172/8/1002, a case study that includes a portrait of the patient developed in his urine.

-NT

Hence the old curse - 'May your children piss port wine'.
George III had it. Could you ask him to accompany you to this island?
So far nobody has ground a lens - or are we using a pinhole camera?
Murray

Alan Johnson · Jun 25, 2009

According to Victor Regnault, Elements of Chemistry, 1853, Pyrogallic acid may be prepared by carefully heating powdered galls (I believe these come from Oak and other trees).Search 'regnault powdered galls' for the book page.
Heating limestone gives calcium oxides which would provide sodium hydroxide alkali when reacted with sea water.
Pyrogallic acid + sodium hydroxide=developer?
Make sure the Island elf'n safety officer isnt looking.

Akki14 · Jun 25, 2009

Oak trees aren't commonly found on small sea islands though (?)
Galls are caused by a small parasite thing that climbs into the tree and makes the tree react with a big wart-type ball. You can also boil galls to make black ink.

Alex Bishop-Thorpe · Jun 25, 2009

The fact APUG takes on abstract topics like this with such enthusiasm is exactly what makes it such a brilliant community.

Also, you're all batty.

But this is amazingly interesting.

Making developer from (totally) raw ingredients

Privacy & Transparency

Privacy & Transparency