Ever try this?

Anybody know of another clear medium that doesn't get hot? What about some kind of acrylic? I know little to nothing about this kind of thing, but surely there must be something that won't destroy whatever you put in it.

no no fire ... if you buy the resin specifically aimed @ embedding.. ie...
EMBEDDING RESIN.....lol

Thanks everyone, for your advice, but Deakon has given me hope and I must go on - DAMN THE TORPEDOES! (This wouldn't catch fire would it? - not that it would make a difference.)

if you are using casting resins cast them in thin layers .. 1.c.m thick..wait till the first layer has set then pour another...this will minimise the chances of exothermic reaction ruining your model...wether you are using it for water in your dios or you want to make paperweights...this is the best way to use casting resin..
REGARDS.....D....

lpolpo,
I think Keyworth has it right - the exothermic reaction generated by the resin and the catalyst can be fairly intense - some resins actually get far hotter than you could comfortably touch with your fingers...........but I think the biggest problem would be the acetone based substances in the resin - they're classed as "hot", being a nasty type of organic vapour - which will probably dissolve styrene.
Personally, I think the idea is fantastic, and I'd love to see it done.
Try contacting a resin supply place in your capital city - there's one here in Melbourne that sells just about every type or resin made (along with polymers, carbon fibre cloth, kevlar fabric, resins, etc etc etc) who would know if something like that could be done. There's got to be one near you - just let your fingers do the walking, as they say.
Cheers,
LeeTree

If I do get x-o-turd-mic, wait, exotermink, - whatever -stuff, it will be interesting to try. Remember the last words of every redneck: " Hay - Watch this!!"
Just kidding. I'll try it first on an old model and if it winds up looking like a victim of a transporter malfuction on StarTrek it will still make an interesting paperweight.
This might take awhile, what I don't know about resin could fill a book.

I had wondered about that myself. Exothermic reactions may turn your model into so much melted slag in a paperweight form.

Doesn't clear resin get quite hot as it cures? It may melt your model!

Sounds like a cool idea, though!

Nice Idea!