Re: How is slush powder made?

Dear Cosmo,

Not a lot of details here, but I know of a substance that does this by 
absorbing as much as 500 times its own weight in water.  It's a synthetic 
polymer called "polyacrylamide".

Polyacrylamide, also nicknamed the "super slurper", is the stuff used in 
super-absorbant diapers, adult incontinence diapers (like Depends) 
and....feminine hygeine products (ewwwwwwww!!!).  When that mysterious blue 
liquid absorbs into those Light Days "wings" on the TV commercial, it's 
because of this compound.

If you are shy and don't want to go and buy a whole bunch of feminine pads 
or adult diapers just to play with this stuff, I suggest a flower shop or a 
gardening center.  Polyacrylamide gel is added to soil to keep water from 
evaporating.  

By the way, don't actually eat this stuff. Although it is harmless (we DO 
put it on babies butts...), it isn't for consumption.  If you want a slush 
you can eat, hit the local 7-11.

Tim Oborn
Chemistry teacher- Calgary, Canada