Observations
  • Home
  • Observations
  • Trendcasting
  • Odds 'n Ends
  • Science/Technology/Experiments
  • Mental Health

Images made with Turmeric: The Spice of Life...

4/30/2016

4 Comments

 
Picture
Two videos below:

This post entry is based on my attempts to develop a photo bleachout system that is easy to use, educational, and fun. However, the final results so far have been a work in progress; but, there are some very interesting details discovered along the way that can become a good idea starter. So, I will share what I have done so far and hopefully others will help to add to the process disclosed. I am very well acquainted with failure and learn from each misadventure and eventually succeed.
This project is based on Turmeric, an Indian spice that has been used as a dye for over 2000 years. Sometimes spelled tumeric, it contains Curcumin, (3 to 5%), a polyphenol which reacts with boron under specific conditions to form a dye called rosocyanine. This test has been in use for about 100 years and the complex formed between the yellow Curcumin and the element boron forms the red or orange-red dye rosocyanine, which is a green crystal when isolated. This process has its early roots in 1842 when John Hershel began working with plants to form bleached out images. Called anthotypes, the process never really caught on as the images were generally of poor quality, took a long time to obtain, and did not last when exposed to light. But, all of the photosensitive materials were derived from plants. There is also evidence that turmeric was used and even an obscure article in Photophysics used a boric acid spray to develop the image. But, to my knowledge there has not been any attempt to enhance the image or make a permanent image as I am attempting to do with the sodium hydroxide and alum. 
The materials used in this project are readily available locally either at the super market, hardware store, or garden center. The concentrations are low so the process is fairly safe. But, Turmeric is a strong dye and can stain whatever it comes in contact with so be prepared. The entire process and materials and processes will follow the video.  If you watched the video on YouTube just skip to the second video and the instructions below:
 
 


Procedure:
First, prepare the Curcumin tincture from the turmeric (available in the spice section of most markets) by adding about 1 gram of turmeric to 100 milliliters of 91% isopropyl alcohol.  Curcumin is not water soluble so will dissolve in the alcohol. The remainder of the turmeric will settle to the bottom and should be discarded. This can best be done by filtering through a coffee filter but can be simply decanted into a clean container and the sludge discarded. CAUTION: The Curcumin will stain any porous surface so work on a well protected surface.
Second, prepare a solution of boric acid by adding 4 grams of boric acid (ant and roach powder available at hardware and garden centers) to 196 milliliters of water. Stir until dissolved.
Third, prepare a solution of sodium hydroxide (lye or drain cleaner from the hardware store) with 4 grams sodium hydroxide to 196 milliliters of water. Stir until dissolved.
Fourth, prepare a solution of alum, potassium aluminum sulfate, (available in the spice section of the market or garden center as it is used in pickling food) with 4 grams alum to 196 milliliters of water.
Note: These are all 2% solutions, and are not critical, and close is close enough!

Picture
Notes:
This is the light stability image after 2 weeks in the sunlight. Not too bad but still not completely permanent.
The fading of the final image in video 2 was in the sodium hydroxide solution for about 10 minutes while I changed SD cards. But, the image should be removed as soon as it is developed to avoid the fading.
I hope that you get involved and can add to the information and most of all, have fun! Ken.


4 Comments
Martha
12/24/2016 05:23:39 am

Have you tried a UV light to reduce your time in the sun? There are LED UV lights which usually are faster, and regular UV lights. These can be found as a setup in UV nail polish type things, which would reduce your size allowance, but I know that regular UV bulbs that look like plain bulbs can be found at pet supply stores in the lizard sections, in higher wattage than the nail kits. I bought a bulb that came with a "trouble light" work light dome that could be used with a home made frame setup. One caution - it shouldn't be flammable. If it takes several hours, the 50 watt UV bulb can scorch paper through several layers. I didn't have flames, but it scorched through 5 layers of multimedia paper and it was HOT.

Good luck!

Reply
Chris Panell
5/1/2017 08:33:45 am

I have been making anthotype images cured with watered-down Borax, as described on another web site. Even though it contains Boric Acid, the lomographs change dramatically when the solution is sprayed on. The images turn a dark brown color, like what you found with NaOh. Additionally, I have been experimenting with layering cloth under the transparency before exposing to the sun. Using transluscent rag paper, I get about 6 poor copies with exposure to the sun. Thin handkerchief cloth results in 2 good copies in a single exposure of about 3 hours of direct sun here in Hong Kong. I plan to try screen printing mesh in layers next, to try to boost to 4 or 5 good copies with a single sunlight exposure. I hope your experiments are going well.

Reply
Kees Reuzelaar
4/6/2020 06:31:15 am

I just discovered your website, it's an absolute treasure trove of interesting projects. I've been thinking about trying cyanotypes but the chemicals are hard te get overhere. This method with the turmeric looks just as much fun and is easy to start with and totally safe. As summer is (almost) starting I'll try this once the sun is a bit more dependable.
Thanks for posting these great articles.

Reply
Ken
4/6/2020 10:23:39 am

Kees,
Try it as it is a good starter before starting with cyanotype. However you can get "sun print paper" online which already has the chemicals on the paper. You just expose to the sun. Ken.

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Author

    The author has an eclectic background in chemistry, electronics, writing, mental health, and community action...Ken

    Archives

    June 2021
    March 2020
    September 2019
    August 2018
    August 2017
    March 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    August 2016
    April 2016
    December 2015
    September 2015
    May 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011
    October 2011
    September 2011
    August 2011
    July 2011
    June 2011
    May 2011

    RSS Feed

    Categories

    All
    Acid And Bases
    Amateur Scientist
    Anodizing Aluminum
    Anthocyanin Indicator
    Ant Orientation
    Artificial Intelligence
    Bar And Cr Code
    Cable Tie
    Carbon Dioxide Fun
    Catalase And H2o2
    Chemical Art
    Cold Cathode
    Color Hot Glue Sticks
    Common Chemicals
    Copper Plating
    Cyanotype/Blueprint
    Dot Com
    Electroluminescence
    Epoxy Art
    Experiments
    Hydrogels
    Infrared Photography Basics
    Magnetic Money
    Old Textbooks
    Photograms
    Science
    Static Electricity Detector
    Technology
    Yogurt