How To: Make a complete refillable glow stick

Watch this science video tutorial from Nurd Rage on how to make a complete refillable glow stick. You can make this complete and refillable glow stick with a steampunk-style to it.

The idea is simple, use compression fittings normally used in plumbing to create a glow stick tube that can be emptied and refilled when the fluid dies.

The vials or ampoules of hydrogen peroxide is created from cheap glass pipettes that are flame sealed.

An important change though is the use of diethyl phthalate solvent rather than ethyl acetate. Diethyl phthalate gives a longer lasting light. Other aliphatic dialkyl phthalates can be used including diethylhexyl phthalate so you can use whatever you have on hand.

If you're having problems with leaking be sure to use Teflon tape.

Special note: Brass is pretty hard, so if you glowstring with this and hit someone... it's going to HURT... so be careful!

Brought to you by one of WonderHowTo's favorite scientists NurdRage.