Ibpointless2 Crystal Cells

[Peanutbutter29]

Okay so to show some of the cells, some have been explained as I built them.  Also going to show a cell that is antagonistic in many ways to "assumed" requirements.

So first, a video showing a few cells.

Cell 1 - The Wrench cell, MgOH ONLY and Mg and C electrodes with one ion separator. (more below vids)

Cell 2 - First Gypsum Phicell I made.  Had the 1/4 Substitute:1 Alum: 1 Table Salt: 1/8 durhams mixed with water, formed and dried (with electrode).  (posted when made)  It has been coated with gelcoat which seeped under Mg electrode partially and reduced current, ah well.

Cell 3 - Second Gypsum Phicell -  the 1/4 Substitute:1 Alum: 1 Table Salt: 1/4 durhams mixed with water, formed and dried (without electrode) (posted when made) Also coated with gelcoat (at the same time) and lowered current but to a lesser degree.

Cell 4 - Black Cell This was from the first mixture I made of 1Alum: 1 Epsom: 1: Substitute: 1 Borax.  This was heated on a gas burner until fully dried and heated (600-650 degrees).  Lower material was black, rest was white.  This was crushed, had water added (results were posted of 900ma) and was tested. Then it was left with a lead electrode and a battery to continue reaction of elements for 8 hours.  After which all solid material (didn't dissolve) was separated.  This battery is formed from what DID dissolve.   It was left to crystallize, crushed and then packed into the cell manually.  This does have 2 ion separators (one on each terminal).  You can see in the video I did have some issue getting a good connection with the Mg. 

Cell 5 - Superheated Cell - This was from the first mixture I made of 1Alum: 1 Epsom: 1: Substitute: 1 Borax.  This was heated with a propane torch (30min) to 800-850 degrees.  This is known because of Borax melting temp and known borax behavior from mining.  90% or more of the material was turned black and only the cooler areas contain white (non-melted borax).  A magnesium electrode was placed in while hot and unit was removed from heat.  (posted about this).  Please note raising to this temperature you have very toxic off-gassing occur!!!  Do not attempt this without proper precautions and a gas mask. 


On the second video I just show adding water to the superheated cell (as I've posted doing).  I've not added water in a couple days (since last posted adding), so the first video shows that current.  I should have turned the cell over after, 1ml is not enough for any drips.  At any rate, two notes are that the V doesn't change much from before water;  Second, the current is still showing the same as the day it was made with water.  I also tap firmly on both the electrode and hardened mass to show they are still very solid.

Vids=
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N0-_E7vwVaY&feature=channel

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3SR8zKrA6NM&feature=channel


and onto some pics..
http://s615.photobucket.com/albums/tt239/billmckraken/Crystal%20Cell%20Stuff/?action=view&current=SDC10646.jpg
Just a shot of the cells (can see black one)

These below are how I constructed the MgOH cell
http://i615.photobucket.com/albums/tt239/billmckraken/Crystal%20Cell%20Stuff/SDC10637.jpg
http://i615.photobucket.com/albums/tt239/billmckraken/Crystal%20Cell%20Stuff/SDC10638.jpg
http://i615.photobucket.com/albums/tt239/billmckraken/Crystal%20Cell%20Stuff/SDC10639.jpg
http://i615.photobucket.com/albums/tt239/billmckraken/Crystal%20Cell%20Stuff/SDC10640.jpg   (here you can see how I form all the cells )
http://i615.photobucket.com/albums/tt239/billmckraken/Crystal%20Cell%20Stuff/SDC10643.jpg
http://i615.photobucket.com/albums/tt239/billmckraken/Crystal%20Cell%20Stuff/SDC10644.jpg
http://i615.photobucket.com/albums/tt239/billmckraken/Crystal%20Cell%20Stuff/SDC10645.jpg

Okay, so the cell as you can see has one Ion separator, mainly used for conduction.  The powder is MgOH as you can see it's powdery, dry and white.  It has a blueish cast if wet at all.  You can see it is then filled fully with this powder.  Electrodes are Mg and C.
Things that should strike you as odd:
MgOH - removes heat! (kinda against heat helping)
MgOH - is not an electrolyte!
MgOH - is not a salt!
MgOH - is insoluble in water!
MgOH - is not crystalline
MgOH - has not been compressed
MgOH - is not solid (it cannot be packed solid and you can see in video pieces falling out lol)

Yet, it shows Volts and Current....hmmmm.... Any takers on ideas? (curious)

thanks

Note @IB current (actual current) you can see go up with most all the cells when connected through the meter. 
Edit:  to help, it is related to an increase in chemical reaction by the connection of a conductive path.

[triffid]

Here is a link to a chemistry page on MgO.   http://www.webelements.com/compounds/magnesium/magnesium_oxide.html




likewise another link.   http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnesium_oxide

[triffid]

 It has an empirical formula of MgO] and consists of a lattice of Mg2+ ions and O2â€" ions held together by ionic bonds. Magnesium hydroxide forms in the presence of water (MgO + H2O â†' Mg(OH)2), but it can be reversed by heating it to separate moisture.It also loves to pull in water from the air.Hence your cooling you noticed.Water absorbs heat.triffid

[triffid]

Maybe a little bit of overkill but here goes....Hygroscopy is the ability of a substance to attract and hold water molecules from the surrounding environment. This is achieved through either absorption or adsorption with the absorbing or adsorbing material becoming physically 'changed,' somewhat, by an increase in volume, stickiness, or other physical characteristic of the material, as water molecules become 'suspended' between the material's molecules in the process. While some similar forces are at work here, it is different from capillary attraction,a process where glass or other 'solid' substances attract water, but are not changed in the process (for example, water molecules becoming suspended between the glass molecules). Hygroscopic substances include sugar, caramel, honey, glycerol, ethanol, methanol, diesel fuel, sulfuric acid, methamphetamine, many salts (including table salt), and a huge variety of other substances.[/size]
Zinc chloride and calcium chloride, as well as potassium hydroxide and sodium hydroxide (and many different salts), are so hygroscopic that they readily dissolve in the water they absorb: This property is called deliquescence. Not only is Sulfuric acid hygroscopic in high concentrated form but its solutions are hygroscopic down to concentrations of 10 Vol-% or below. A hygroscopic material will tend to become damp and "cake" when exposed to moist air (such as salt in salt shakers during humid weather).[/size]
Because of their affinity for atmospheric moisture, hygroscopic materials might necessitate their being stored in sealed containers. When added to foods or other materials for the express purpose of maintaining moisture content, such substances are known as humectants.[/size]

[triffid]

So its ionic it seems and likes water.It has enough water to conduct electricity when it looks dry.Not a bad find at all,PB.


IB2, your lack of corrosion on your cell is promising too.