Readers ask about self-correcting quantum computers, oobleck’s experimental value

Experimenting with food

Mayonnaise’s texture is perfect for mimicking what a fuel capsule goes through when it’s blasted with lasers to ignite nuclear fusion, Emily Conover reported in “Mayonnaise may shed light on nuclear fusion experiments” (SN: 10/5/24, p. 5).

Reader Linda Ferrazzara wondered if mayo qualifies as a non-Newtonian fluid, one whose viscosity changes depending on the stress applied to it. If so, could researchers instead use oobleck — a non-Newtonian fluid made from cornstarch and water ­— as a stand-in for nuclear fuel capsules in experiments? Ferrazzara asked. Oobleck might be easier to keep consistent between experiments than mayo, which has different formulations depending on the brand.