YEsH i know i should be working, but i HAVE! My brain will turn to peanut butter ( "Sun-Pat"? more like cow-fuckin-pat) if i dont take a break from my Design for Durability blitz.

Just had to post a plug for my 3rd/4th year project proposal - Dr. M was quite keen on it as well so i just forwarded the brief after discussing it with him to the feller in charge of the project board. Seriously if its approved i'm gonna have soooo much fun with this -

The Riddle of Steel: A metallurgical & esoteric study of the historical art of bladesmithing.

Since the Bronze Age to modern times the art of bladesmithing has been shrouded in equal parts of lore and actual metallurgy. Through the course of this investigation, we shall delve into a historical – and if possible, specimen based – study of different historical swordsmithing methods involving Damascus steel, Wootz steel, Tamahagane steel and other crucible-fired steels.

Based on these qualitative and compositional studies, attempts to recreate these steels and their forging processes will be undertaken. These samples will undergo mechanical tests ( hardness, ductility, tensile strength) , macro/microstructure optical analysis and also a cutting test ( for which a jig would need to be devised). These tests will possibly culminate in the selection or the consolidation of a final composition and series of techniques with which a functional , full-sized blade will be produced.

In summary, this investigation will consist of:

1. A literature survey of classical swordsmithing methods covering technical and cultural/ornamental aspects.
2. The casting of test samples of selected compositions corresponding to the literature survey.
3. Mechanical tests on the samples for hardness, ductility and tensile strength, using several off-the shelf alloys as control samples
4. Microstructural characterization in relation to the compositional variation with the mechanical properties, again using several off-the shelf alloys as control samples.
5. To devise an experimental jig to evaluate the cutting ability of the samples.

can't make it sound too exciting - wouldn't want every tosser who goes "oooh swords - so much better than valves and vortexes and cement" and also appy for it. I want the WMG crucibles and forges all to myself.

During the meeting the other day he called in a colleague to join the discussion about the scope of this coursework. She was also quite interested - she was all like "whoaa this is just like the script in the Highlander movie ..you know the one where he tries to remake his sword but couldnt until he found the right metal?"

Ohhkay...

Then Dr.M pointed out that in sanskrit "Amar" meant immortal. Ironyyyyyyy.

But quite scared also - usually student proposed projects get more scrutiny and are usually picked for final year presentations to an audience usually comprised of freshers , members of staff and other ppl who can be bothered. Easy onlyyyy.....

*super drama music from something like Gladiator or highlander plays while shots of the forgework and testing roll*

*lights turn on, i do some katas with the blade, and chop something*

"Any questions?"

fuyooooooooooo set la.

On a random yet vaguely related note, looked up other meanings or "Amar". I already knew that it was the root for "love" in italian(amore) , spanish and portoguese. Apparently in Arabic it meant "great" and not "leader" as i had read somewhere before. Tapi potong stim giler when i found the Romanian meaning.

"Bitter"

Not even the seething, resentment bitter. The taste.

Well can't win 'em all!

"with your lvl 25 cookery skills, she is like a lvl1 neutral creep wei" - Alex, proving that there's been too much Dota action goin down.