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| SOLIDIFIED/STASIS-ENGAGED AIR |
| A.K.A. |
| "SOLID AIR" |
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| a study by: |
| -Aeromantic Engineer Ileein Shavatt- |
| |
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Introduction and Statement of Purpose

The purpose of this experimental project is to artificially induce the effect
known as "solid air." "Solid air" (henceforth referred to without emphasis
quotation) is an effect which simulates solidity and structure in the element of
Air, though it remains extremely clear and lightweight, more so even than the
purest of crystal. It may be observed in several key locations throughout
Hallifax, including a few particularly lovely examples in the Centre for
Aeromantic Studies.

The successful induction of the solid air effect would have intriguing
implications for the fields of architecture, engineering, and art, given that it
is one of the lightest solid substances known. It might have applications in
construction-- creating walls, windows-- or in sculpture, with fountains and
statues.

My conclusions will be recorded at the end of the experiment. I submit this log
to you, the reader, in the hopes that you will find it stimulating, and perhaps
learn something of the subject.

--Aeromantic Engineer Ileein Shavatt

Experimental Log

DAY 1*

Today I established a work area in the Beryl Research Labs, first level. The
researchers were very accommodating, allowing me to mark off a section of
counter primarily for my own use. Mostly planning today. I brainstormed a list
of techniques already mastered which might fit the description.

(*) Note: "day" in this log does not refer to days but to experimental sessions,
which were often separated by a break of multiple days.

DAY 2

Created a miniature tempest in a bottle. Very spectacular, attracting a few
observers from my fellow researchers, but not terribly elucidating. Eventually,
the tempest decayed and turned its energies outward. Bottle exploded.

DAY 3

Created a whirlwind in a bottle. Not elucidating. Whirlwind tossed the bottle
off the counter. Bottle exploded.

DAY 4

A breakthrough. I decided to abandon my previous course and simply think about
what it means to be solid. I soon realized that that which is solid is
compressed and dense, which air is not. Therefore, to be solid, air should also
be compressed. Increase pressure?

DAY 5

Pressure manipulation is a simple enough exercise in terms of Aeromantic
mechanics. I simply set up a stream of air flowing into a glass bottle, while
preventing any air from escaping. This worked beautifully until the pressure
overcame the structural integrity of the bottle. Bottle exploded.

DAY 6

Used a stronger material for containment-- this time, a crystal vial. Bottle
exploded.

DAY 7

Attempted to utilize a metal vial for containment. Bottle exploded.

DAY 8

Hit upon an idea while researching-- utilize a reinforced metal bottle. This
incremented approach to increasing bottle strength did not work. Bottle
exploded, shocking the Librarian and Nihmriel, both of whom were present. Note
to self: books are more fragile than crystal counters. Restrict experiments to
the latter environment.

DAY 9

Somewhat lost for ideas. Tried a double thickness of metal, with some
difficulty. It worked for a time, but when I left it alone for a few minutes the
bottle ruptured. Bottle exploded.

DAY 10

After a few days' break, I have hit upon an idea. Pressurized air is clearly
stronger than most materials available to us, though no doubt if necessary I
could obtain a small container capable of housing it. However, large amounts are
needed if I am to synthesize an amount of solid air large enough to sculpt.
Therefore, I will need to use a material which I am able to manipulate by
myself, reinforcing with my own strength. That is, air. Meddled around with this
idea for a while, but didn't get anywhere.

The containment system I attempted to use followed this model. A large region of
air which was pressurized moderately, surrounding a small, cylindrical region
which I filled with highly pressurized air. The semi-pressurized air, when
manipulated by an Aeromancy with sufficient skill in the field, is able to
resist the highly pressurized air and keep it contained.

DAY 11

Experimented with setting up an all-air compression system, but the regions of
pressurized air and non-pressurized air and semi-pressurized air were too
difficult to keep straight. The system kept decaying and dissipating into the
atmosphere. Wasn't willing to attempt higher pressures for fear of injury, since
I was unable to maintain the containment system.

DAY 12

Idea struck. Induced condensation within the containment system to mark out the
region of air which was semi-pressurized, causing it to look something like a
very, very thick, cloudy bottle. Managed to reach equilibrium with relatively
low pressures.

DAY 13

Attempted to reach high pressures with cloudy-bottle system. Unfortunately, I
lost control of the system and it underwent explosive decompression. In other
words, bottle exploded.

Experimenter's note: this counter will require seeing to once this experiment is
finished. It's probably more scarred than an Aslaran's teething toy.

DAY 14

Through practice (hours of it), I managed to reach proficiency in maintaining
equilibrium of the system under high pressure through the mechanism of expanding
the cloudy bottle to entirely cover the high-pressure zone.

DAY 15

Have mostly eliminated experimental error in the creation and maintenance of the
containment system. Through the insertion of probes, I have come to the
conclusion that the highly-pressurized air has a consistency akin to thick mud
of some sort. It will require further application of some sort of stasis, at any
rate, as this containment system cannot be permanent. Perhaps the stasis will
fix the problem.

DAY 16

Attempted to induce stasis by introducing moisture to the air. Unfortunately,
this did not work and in the attempt I lost control of the structure. System
exploded.

DAY 17

This time, I tried to desiccate the air, but this also did nothing and the
system underwent explosive decompression. Clearly moisture is unimportant at
best and, at worst, changes in moisture can jeopardize the entire affair.

DAY 18

Introduced crushed gems to the mixture. It made it sparkle beautifully, but
there was otherwise no change to the system.

DAY 19

Am unsure of what to do at this point. Have researched, but there is little on
stasis in the library. Cririk's fairly recent demise has put me in mind of
something, though. What if I used power? It is clear that his stasis has the
power of the Matrix somehow involved...

DAY 20

Applied Matrix power to the system. It seemed as though it was doing something,
then the entire thing collapsed. Too tired to write further.

DAY 21

Again applied Matrix power. This time, I applied it in a steady pattern, rather
than all at once. Was close to success until I accidentally varied the pattern.
System failure.

DAY 22

Success! Managed to induce stasis by introducing Matrix power in a steady pulse,
akin to the generators' tempo. The central pressurized air underwent several
rather spectacular illumination effects, then stiffened and ceased even its
curtailed circulation. I dissipated the containment field, leaving behind only a
cylinder of solid air. As noted- SUCCESS.

Unfortunately, it would seem that solid air requires a constant flow of power--
infinitesimal, it appears, but nonetheless-- in order to maintain stasis and
therefore structural integrity. When I removed my hands and ceased application
of power, there was a brief delay before the stasis decayed and the solid air
structure underwent explosive decompression, flinging me into a nearby wall.
Nonetheless, a victory.

DAY 23

Managed to create a free-standing solid air structure by the simple method of
placing a powerstone within reasonable proximity, causing it to leak power into
the structure. I left the structure alone for a period of time, taking cover
behind a nearby counter, but the structure persisted. I consider this proof of
concept.

DAY 24

Completed my final goal today, that being the sculpting of solid air. It cannot
easily done except with an application of power identical to that used to induce
stasis originally; this appears to place it into a supremely malleable and
moldable state. I created a solid air flower; it persisted until one of the
researchers picked it up and separated it from its powerstone. The flower
underwent explosive decompression. Apologies are due to the researcher.

Conclusion

Solid air is, while an extremely lightweight material with almost incalculable
clarity, very expensive in terms of effort and power. Less so now that I have
developed a distinct process for its creation, but even still-- the
eternal-power-flow requirement is somewhat limiting. It is my belief, if it
reassures, that a single powerstone would be sufficient to maintain most small
installations in perpetuity, and a set of five would maintain even an
installation as large as the Aeromantic Centre's dome in perpetuity. In
addition, if the power from the Hallifax generators could be induced to flow
through the installation (relatively easy as far as I am aware, given that the
power flows through the entire structure of Hallifax) powerstones might not even
be required except as a backup supply of power. After all, it would be rather
unfortunate if the power supply ever failed and a backlash many times larger
than that displayed in the experiment caused injury or death.

Nonetheless, the material has great potential, especially in art and
architecture. There is always room for innovative materials, and static
installations are the best use for solid air given the need for a constant power
supply. I can already foresee fountains of solid air, which without careful
scrutiny would appear to flow without support, a stream of water in the midst of
thin air. As well, viewing platforms crafted of solid air, even clearer than
crystal.

Therefore, I submit the records of this experiment for posterity, in the hopes
that future scholars and, indeed, artists might learn well from it, and take my
findings and use them to create even more advanced and useful findings and
products of their own.

Signed,
Aeromantic Engineer Ileein Shavatt