It turns out that a hot solution of alum (ammonium aluminum sulfate), which is available in the spice rack of your local supermarket, will dissolve the steel drill bit without reacting with the brass.

Serious adverse events may be caused by different constituents in a vaccine: the active antigen, an adjuvant such as potassium aluminium sulfate (alum), a conservative agent such as thimerosal ...

One important note: the tests were done with pure aluminum sulfate (the right name for alum). If you buy alum at the store, it is likely to have potassium or other additives and that might change ...

According to Clarkson University Professor of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering Sitaraman Krishnan, who oversees the ...