Climbing Arc in a Bottle

The latest One-Of-A-Kind handmade plasma sculpture from ArtLab 1824 is the "Climbing Arc Flask", a xenon gas filled glass plasma flask on a marble, wood and brass base that measures 13 1/4" tall and 6 1/2" in diameter.

The mesmerizing electrical effect inside this flask is quite different than most other plasma devices I have ever seen or made. The plasma channel that forms between the two electrodes at the bottom of the flask begins to rise due to convection currents in the xenon gas. Being hotter and less dense than the surrounding xenon, it arches upward and grows in length until it stretches out too far for the voltage to support the arc any longer. At that point, it reignites at the base of the tube and the process repeats about every couple of seconds.

The plasma takes on the same appearance as the arcs from very high voltage transmission line switchgear when it opens. There's an excellent video on YouTube of a test of a 500 kV switch opening, and the resulting runaway arc that looks amazingly like the plasma in the xenon flask. If you are fascinated by the effects of high power electrical arcs, Tesla coils, Jacob's ladders and lightning itself, here's a miniature version that you can set right on your desk. It will run cool, silent and practically forever for only pennies a day.

The 5" diameter flask is made from clear glass and is filled with pure xenon gas, which produces a thin bluish-violet plasma channel when energized by a high voltage, high frequency power supply.
The stand is made from round polished white marble on a painted wood base with a painted hardwood top section. There is also a telescoping brass support arm that holds the flask securely in place. The bottom of the flask simply slips into the center hole in the base, the support arm is lowered on to the top of the flask and wiring connections are made to the rings on the two brass electrode caps. This is a very nice piece of sculpture as well as an experimental apparatus , so experiment with it and have fun!

All of my plasma sculptures are individual creations using gas filled tubes or vessels and various brass, marble, wood and glass pieces that I assemble into a base or stand. Due to the nature of found object art, no two are alike and each one takes on a character all it's own. Each piece is signed and dated and the tube is guaranteed to operate flawlessly as long as the glass remains intact, providing many years of operation and fascination.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• electric
• retro
• steampunk
• high voltage
• plasma
• Tesla
• Geissler
• Crookes
• neon
• xenon
• sci-fi
• altered art
• light art
• jacobs ladder
• arcs
• sparks
• tesla coil
• lightning

[1000000megawatts]

iEugene, would you care to accept your own challenge and make one like this yourself? The commercials are put in by YouTube and we have no say in the matter. Thank you for your comment!

[1000000megawatts]

I make them one at a time. Prices depend on if you want a base or just the glass globe itself.

[sdg3d]

But you get a very nice effect. Congratulations.

[sdg3d]

It is clear you have seen my work made some years before yours....

11 Dec 2006 – Climbing Energy. sdg3d | Plasma-Art by Sergio Dino-Guida | 1088 Views. Climbing Energy. Download · Return to the thumbnail page FILE 3/12 ...

[iEugene1994]

Any one can DIY .

Minus for the commercial .

: /

[bernardocovas]

were can i buy one?if you bougt it...

[grosshow]

cooool

[holycrapapie]

Faved!