Recipe of the Moment: Dripless Popsicles

An acqaintance of ours (who runs a daycare center) told us the secret ingredient for popsicles that don't drip: gelatin.  A recipe can be found here and was found using the keyword search "dripless popsicles".

Knowing 'X'

John S's thoughts on the new hardness tester reminds me of an instrument we have in our lab: a texture analyzer.  The texture analyzer attempts to quantify the performance of a variety of materials, often in their use state.  For foods, texture analysis becomes useful when paired with sensory analysis.  The sensory analysis (performed by customers or trained panelists) describe the performance of the product, while the texture analysis puts a number on the performance.  As John mentions, comparing '2x' to 'x' is useful, but knowing what 'x' means is another matter.
Back in my selling days, we often used the x:2x comparison to get in the door to see a new industrial customer.  The standard pitch was "give me a good sample and a bad sample and a description of the problem, we'll test the product, and see if we can identify the problem rheologically.  Then, you'll have a quantitative description of the problem and can find the appropriate solution, such as a new ingredient, different process, etc."
It's my impression that a lot of industrial rheology works this way.  One runs a comparison to an internal standard; but, because of time pressures, 'x' may not need to be understood, as long as the product is working for the customer.

Link of the Moment: Silly Putty Drop

NC State answers the question "what happens when fifty pounds of Silly Putty falls 10 stories?"

(50 pounds = 22 kilograms)

Video of the Moment: Rubbery Glass

YouTube Channels

• TA Instruments has a channel on YouTube.
• Anton Paar has a channel on YouTube.

How Did You Get Here?

I would estimate there are 5-10 regular readers of this blog.  If you don't mind my asking, how did you find this blog?  Any new readers are welcome to comment as well.  Anonymous comments are fine.
Thanks for your time.

CP20 Followup

Last month, I asked for help with a CP20.  I'll try out the Society of Rheology group on LinkedIn.  Updates to follow as appropriate.

Video of the Moment: Ketchup Packet Review

A few months ago, I showed off the new Heinz ketchup packet.  From SlateV, here is a review of the new packet.



Disclosure: I work for ConAgra Foods, which competes against Heinz in the ketchup market.

SOR Award Winners

• Congratulations to Professor Tom McLeish,  who will receive the Bingham Medal at this year's SOR Meeting.
• Congratulations to Dr. Suzanne Fielding, who will receive the Metzner Award at this year's SOR meeting.

Rheology Dot ???

• Rheology.org is the website of the Society of Rheology
  
• Rheology.com is owned by Rohm and Haas, which is a subsidiary of Dow.
• It doesn't appear that any other extensions (.edu, .info, etc.) appear to be in use.