Lost and Frightened

Research wise, I'm lost and absolutely fretting about what I should do next. I've really reached my limits of patience, and I feel I am already a very patient person.

Machine wise, nothing I do seems to be able to get it working the way I want it. I'm lost. We think we know the problem, but would what we are trying to do next help in any way? I believe we've already reached the practical limits of what is possible. Adjusting the reagents is no longer the way to go, unless there is some other wonderful method that I haven't heard about.

Fabrication wise, nothing I do seems to be good. The holes in the middle of the master-master-mould are trapping air, and in the process of curing, the air escapes creates the most irritating bubbles in place of structures, and ruins the entire mould. Even if I manage to get a master mould that is usable, clearing air pockets is another issue. I can NEVER manage to clear all of them. NEVER. Oh sure, I can suck out the macroscopic bubbles, but what about the microscopic ones? The ones that cannot be seen with the naked eye. I'm lost. I spent enough time on this. I need to move on to some other method that may have a chance of succeeding. I believe I've reached the limits of the current method with my high aspect ratio and minute outlets. What else can I do? Mill the whole damn thing out? Do you think that is a good possibility? The material seems to be able to withstand the harsh temperatures required in the actual application. Or are there some other methods/materials that I can/should try? I've spent way too much time on this already.

I'm lost. I'm lost.

On the bright side, I received a new rosary from Fr. Philip on 12 April. It was blessed by the late Pope John Paul II, so that makes this my second rosary blessed by him. Ah... I'm so lucky.

Just not work wise. Perhaps I'm really in the wrong field...

I'm lost. Think I'll use that rosary tonight.

Mood: Lost and frightened.