4 replies to this topic

[etukjoshua]

My research project involves characterising a botanical material(dry seed pods of Hura crepitans) as random packings. I don't know any means of determining the surface area since the material is not regular. I would appreciate any helpful suggestions.  images.jpg   7.66KB   0 downloads

[Pilesar]

I might try to spray the pods with adhesive, then coat them with fine sand. Measure the amount of sand by weight difference. Then compare the amount of sand that sticks to a flat surface of known area to determine the pod surface area.

[etukjoshua]

Is this a standard method? I am using the results for an academic research work.

[Pilesar]

The details of the sand method of surface area measurement have not yet been published by the International Pod Scientific Institute, so you should verify its accuracy in your research. Perhaps ping pong balls or other regular 3-D shapes could be used as controls instead of a flat shape. Determine surface area of the balls by mensuration. The surface area should not change if the balls are dented or deformed so these could still serve as a known surface area for comparison. For the average surface area of non-uniform pods, I think the inherent variability in the sand method will be outweighed by the variability between pods. Good luck on your research and I hope your work leads to great success. The Pilesar-etokjoshua pod measurement method may make us both famous one day!

[etukjoshua]

Thank you sir. I hope so too