Solutions were prepared as described in Section 1.3. A copper wire (which had been placed in concentrated acid to remove its casing and then dried) was attached to a microscope slide using super glue. The wire was bent and attached to the slide such that solution could fill around and underneath it. Solution was poured/scooped onto the slide and placed under the microscope. The end of the copper wire not attached to the slide was heated with a Bosch heat gun on maximum setting for 30 minutes. Control samples were also prepared in the same way, but without the wire attached to the slide being heated. Images were taken under cross-polarised light during this time to monitor changes.