Here is a fascinating video about Rupert's Drop, a really interesting piece of glass with a certain shape attained when molten glass is cooled rapidly in cold water. The structure and strength is amazing, but even more curious is how it EXPLODES - not break or shatter, but truly explodes in fine pieces of glass!
The thing to take away from it as far as research is concerned, is how valuable high-speed photography and video can be for watching details of time evolution of a given system and interaction or event! If you have high-speed video capabilities at any level, please consider using that technology in research projects. If you have a project where something is changing, try to capture it with video for analysis purposes! Many cameras now have speeds of 120 fps, 240 fps, 480 fps, and even 1000 fps (with reduced resolution the faster it gets), where the cost is within the $400 or so range...something that might be affordable within a science department budget. Give it a try if possible! Most schools or individuals won't be able to afford the camera being used in this video, but the gist holds true.