[grassrootsmapping] : Make helium-filled balloon float longer

[Anannop Onkaew]

  Hi,  

       I found this company to sell the solution to make helium-filled balloon float longer ------> http://www.hi-float.com/index.html  (no affiliation)

        Does anyone here have experience ?  I have the problem to find helium in my local area and it is expensive. If this solution really works

        It might be worthwhile to use for large scale mapping area.  

Thank you

Jo

  

[Mathew Lippincott]

neat product! looks like it would cost $6-10 of the stuff to coat a 5' balloon.  folks on Amazon.com seem to think it works.  I just bought some-- I'll try it out on August 8th.

I'm guessing it's PVA (polyvinyl alcohol) based, because PVA is water soluble and is derived from PVAc (polyvinyl acrylate), the glue in Elmer's and on lickable postage stamps.  It's also a great gas barrier-- but only when dry-- and it wicks water. we'll see how it performs.

 I'm guessing from this note in the FAQ:

Yes. HI-FLOAT is nontoxic, non-irritating, non-corrosive, nonflammable, and biodegradable. It is very similar to the adhesive found on the back of postage stamps. Wash off the skin with water. If accidentally splashed into the eyes, flush with water for several minutes. Although it is nontoxic, it is a good idea to keep bottles away from small children

http://www.hi-float.com/ishfsafe.html

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[Mathew Lippincott]

I was right about hi-float being PVA.  here's the original patent:

http://www.google.com/patents?id=jwAfAAAAEBAJ

it's a mixture of PVA, water, and dextrose, and the patent expired six weeks ago....

--

Mathew Lippincott

publiclaboratory.org

503 852 1669

[Anannop Onkaew]

  Hi  Mathew,

     Did you try Hi-Float on August 8th ? How is the result ?

    

 Thank you

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[Anannop Onkaew]

Hi Mathew,

I roughly mix PVA, water, and dextrose then testing, the helium
balloon can float only 12 hours.

Did you try ?

Thank you

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[Mathew Lippincott]

I didn't get a chance to do the coating on the 8th-- it looks pretty involved for large balloons-- but I'll try soon.  I do have the Hi-Float though.