What's needed to get liquid helium to climb up a beaker? Thanks

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SUMMARY

To successfully conduct experiments with liquid helium, one requires a double Dewar flask setup with a window, a vacuum pump to achieve temperatures of 1.7 Kelvin, and storage for both liquid nitrogen and liquid helium. The estimated cost for this setup is around $1,000. Engaging with a university for such experiments is not advisable, as they typically do not accommodate casual inquiries or demonstrations. A helium fridge or liquifier is essential for handling cryogenic liquids safely and effectively.

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  • Understanding of cryogenic physics and the behavior of liquids at low temperatures.
  • Familiarity with vacuum pump operation and maintenance.
  • Knowledge of liquid helium and nitrogen storage requirements.
  • Experience with laboratory safety protocols when handling cryogenic materials.
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  • Research the specifications and operation of double Dewar flasks.
  • Learn about vacuum pump technology and its applications in cryogenics.
  • Investigate the design and functionality of helium fridges and liquifiers.
  • Explore safety measures and best practices for working with cryogenic liquids.
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Researchers, physicists, and engineers involved in cryogenics, as well as hobbyists interested in low-temperature experiments and laboratory setups.

jaketodd
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Any idea how much this would cost and how difficult? Should I forget about trying it myself and visit a university? Thanks
 
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How much what would cost? You would certainly need a double Dewar flask set up with a window. If you are clever maybe $1k. Then you would need to vacuum pump it to cool it to 1.7Kelvin. You would need liquid Nitrogen and liquid Helium storage.
How about just doing youtube?
 
jaketodd said:
Should I forget about trying it myself and visit a university?

Universities don't exist to perform tricks for random passers-by. You may be disappointed.

hutchphd is right, though. You need a helium fridge/liquifier and the ability to deal with cryogenic liquids. This is not cheap nor is it something you just whip up.
 

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