Crystal Cell Research

[plengo]

Today I had a chance to create some very microscopic videos and pictures of some of the crystal formations caused by the mixes I have been using on the cells.


One just wonder how those crystal things form. I had the privilege to record from beginning to the end one full cycle of corrosion and formation of the crystal structure that freezes any interaction with the metal below, Mg. Unless excessive water is used which would not only destroy the crystals, would also initiate a corrosion process, which would be inevitable.


The crystals forms at an amazing fast pace under 0.1mm tickness and 1 cm square area, from 100% wet to totally dry and crystallized. One of my recordings I was able to see the beginning from a huge bubble to a dry structure.


I don't know what is more exciting, the study of the crystal growth or the study of one of its by-products such as electricity.


I wonder how would things flow water wise inside a tick, 1cm for example, layer of crystal with all sorts of metal trapped inside. How would water flow down with gravity? would water give off some of its "electrons" to the metals in the surroundings and product what we call electricity?


When I add water to the cell, it takes a little bit for it to manifest as more voltage and current as the layer of crystal grows, but more growth also much more run-time, off course it has more water, so would water really be going so down to the extent of touching Magnesium and corroding?


Where all the gas will go? and how can it still even grow more? from underneath? amazing pressures must develop. What about if Mg is not being corroded? how would one answer the same questions above?


So the crux of the problem is: can we really generate electricity without oxidation of the metal? I am having much more current and voltage for the same Mg(area) used than before but much, much less corrosion. This is a problem for me.


Another interesting effect is that those cells as the mass of the electrolyte crystal structure grows, more capacitance the cell has.


Fausto.

[plengo]

Today I had the fortunate event of having this crystal cell giving .2v (200mili-Volts) with 32ma constant power.


Every time I add a few drops of water, she goes higher in voltage and current for longer and more steady run-times.


Testing the corrosion level using a very thin plate of Magnesium (like 0.1mm tick - I will update this number if it is incorrect) has been very useful. The first corrosion is substantial if maintained. After the mix dries, corrosion is extremely minimal even with added water.


The crystal formed somehow changes the surface of the Magnesium after it dries giving a very protective layer against the initial ingredients of the mix such as Alum. Once the crystal is formed, the corrosive action of Alum is eliminated and the only left corrosion noted was just distilled water and even that much more reduced.


It is as if the crystal structure as tiny as it can be, does not allow any gas to escape (or very little) and uses it for its own growth.


Water added to the surface of the cell far from the magnesium has increased the growth of the crystal and it allowed the formation of 2 kinds of crystals that I could see at naked eye.


In other mixes I was able to see many kinds of crystals formed with beautiful colors and shapes. A real crystal cell indeed.




Some of these observations are shown on my video: http://youtu.be/zUNHAkw5ONg


Fausto.

[plengo]

As I was doing another video showing the performance of the cell I noticed that drop in voltage and power output of the cell when I touched and moved it. Later I realized that I pressed the cell in such a way the it decreased the thickness of height of the cell which immediately drop in power (see the last picture of my previous post). You can see the drop from 14mv to 9mv in the end right part of the graph).


Wondering about it I finally figure out what is going on. When adding water to the cell, she grows. While she is still wet and growing one should not squeeze the cell because she is still forming and that formation IS what bring the power out. One more evidence of non-corrosion process.


While she dries out and the formation is becoming more solid, the power goes UP. So again, too much water can destroy the cell temporarily since the crystal grow is the one the process the water and water is one of the mediums to grow the crystal. A double edge sword of sorts.


This goes very in line with my thinking in how those crystal cells work.


Now I am looking into more geometrical designs that can provide water at the CORRECT quantity to the cell automatically without causing this problem.


I wish I had more money and time to research this more efficient and effectively.


Fausto.

[plengo]

and one more video showing more details about corrosion on this cell: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_profilepage&v=v0eS7ZEqp8Y


I think that there is very minimal if no corrosion.


Fausto.

[Allwest]

Plengo,

A two week test on my dry crystal cell results FYI

Amp meter and volt meter reading constant, the full two weeks (no pulse motor)

.60 MA and 61. MV, this is the low constant, it goes up from there as the temp rises

Just took the amp reading off and it goes back up in about 5 min to 1.4 volts and 3. Ma

(interesting) Not much power, but this cell never dies

Best of luck

PS, I am not sure how much power the amp meter is drawing off this cell, or how you can determine how much power we are getting constant (forever it seems)

Again, this is the lowest power reading on a dry cell no heat or water added, but if I set it in the sun or near a heat source the  power  can go as high as 200Ma

Best of luck