The Contest Center - Science Problem #1

A problem in practical science

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Science Problem #1
The Contest Center
59 DeGarmo Hills Road
Wappingers Falls, NY 12590

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We will list the name of anyone who submits a practical solution.

       Assume that foodelium is the substance with the highest known melting point. You need to perform an experiment that requires you to keep 100 liters of foodelium in liquid form for several days.
       You have a heat projector that generates enough heat to melt the foodelium and keep it molten, even with the projector a meter away. If the projector came in contact with the liquid foodelium, of course, it would rapidly melt and cease to function. Likewise, if the electrical cables powering the projector contacted the liquid, they would quickly melt through. If the heat projector were aimed at anything other than the foodelium, that thing would rapidly melt.
       You also have an ample supply of metal sheets that can be used to create a vessel to contain the foodelium during the experiment. This metal has a very high melting point, is a good conductor of both heat and electricity, and does not react chemically with foodelium. When the metal contacts molten foodelium, however, it immediately begins to soften. If it stays in contact with the liquid for more than a minute, it will start to flow, and might mix with the foodelium, ruining the experiment, or it might melt through, and cause the vessel to leak. If the metal is cooled back below its melting point within a minute, then it will retain its shape and strength. Foodelium is a good conductor of heat in both its solid and liquid states, but it does not conduct electricity. Also, it does not evaporate, and does not mix or react with air or water.
       You cannot simply cool the part of the vessel that is in contact with the liquid foodelium, as that might cause the foodelium inside to solidify, again spoiling the experiment. Also, you cannot simply start with a much larger quantity of foodelium to allow for leakage; it must be 100 liters throughout the experiment.
       How can you safely contain the molten foodelium?

Solved by: Jean Jacquelin, Steve Lent

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