Ibpointless2 Crystal Cells

[jbignes5]

 Yeah but it seems that the crystal that was formi8ng in my small IB cell was different. The thing is the aluminum looked like it was being digested into the crystals. This might have something to do with my cells being a tad bit stronger. Like a controlled burn of the aluminum. What was left over got incorporated into the crystal mix.


The thing is this oxide once forms protects the aluminum. If we get aluminum that is broken up into finer particles these diode like membrane might add up exponentially... Like a billion little diodes all interconnected and all pointing in..

*Update* From what I can see the aluminum is being decomposed by the electrolysis of the water. I have put a 4.5 volt tripple stack of aa batteries on the whole system and it has been boosting the electrolysis. In between those boosts the water slowly keeps doing the electrolysis but at a lower voltage. The running volts for the led head and cells are 2.57v(no real electrolysis) normal and in boost mode 2.61v (major electrolysis,rolling boil of the water).

The water and crystals are now grey in color and seem to settle after the boost mode back to the 2.56-2.57 range. I'm thinking it takes quite some time to decompose all of the aluminum but I will keep you posted to the stats of this experiment as best I can.

[b_rads]

NickZ,
Just a moment to thank you for your insistence on encapsulating the cells we have been making.  Just a little over 4 months ago I took your suggestion and applied it to some of my cells.  Last night, I inspected several of those cells using a magnifying glass which helps me understand more fully what is happening.  I will report my observations and everyone is free to interpret anyway they wish.

Alum, heat treated copper, and magnesium:
Under the magnifying glass it is quite obvious that the Alum is being consumed.  There are some very large voids in the Alum fill.  The copper and magnesium appear to be in very good condition.

Glue cell, non treated copper, magnesium, Epsom Salt, Salt Substitute, and Elmer’s White Glue:
Very minimal indication that the glue mix is being consumed.  If the Alum cell was a 10 (worst) than the glue cell would be a 1.  The untreated copper is staining the mix green and the magnesium looks very good.  I do have some indication of the magnesium breaking down above the plastic but not embedded in the plastic. 

Glue cell, carbon, magnesium, Epsom Salt, Salt Substitute, and Elmer’s White Glue:
This is the best performing cell of the group.  1.48Volts and 1.6ma unloaded.  The carbon and magnesium are completely submerged in the plastic with SS screws protruding through the plastic for connectors.  I can not detect any deterioration in this cell.

Stove Top Cell:
These cells are not as old as the Glue Cells and I will reserve observations on these until they have the same maturity as the cell I have already reported on.

Further Experiments:
I plan to remake the glue cell using heat treated copper.  I will be going after the Red Oxide as I wish to avoid using heat in the cell.  For a better understanding of this statement you can look at:
http://thesciencecupboard.com/page3.htm

Brad S

[jbignes5]

Ok I have hit the next stage of the build. I have gotten all the aluminum the crystals can stand around the graphite lead. I dissected the unit and inspected the aluminum around the electrode. There was a good amount of the aluminum gone. The blackening of the aluminum is from the shinny side of the aluminum. Whatever that is it turns black. I'm thinking I have created a very efficient nano particle aluminum. The mix I got out of the last unit blended very well when I subjected it to 10 second microwave burst (kitchen appliance). The mix never really got too hot but it did warm the plastic jar I am using. I think it is 4 oz jar size. The amount I got back out of the porcess was way less then I started with but it is now colored grey. I think it took 3 shots of 10 seconds in the microwave range before the mix started to become pliable and very thick like honey. Thats where I stopped and put the new Graphite lead in the center with an aluminum ring around that. The negative is the aluminum. And the Graphite is the collector or higher voltage electrode that gets its potential rise from the focusing inwards. I think this has lowered the voltage but increased the pressure it can provide. At least in the beginning of it's cooling phase so far. My running voltage is 2.5v steady now. As for the current I wouldn't know till I get a analogue one. Thats next on the list as well.


The new unit is still growing so we will see..

[NickZ]

   b_rads:
   I think that carbon is a better conductor and may be the best anode material, not prone to the oxidation factor, and so more apt for salt electrolytes. So, long as even Air get into the cell there it is going to be some galvanics, as it's the oxygen that is behind the break down of the metals.

The small pencil leads are very brittle but they work great for this, the bigger pencil leads are probably better as they wont break as easily.  As air or water is going to ruin most of these cells in time,  carbon will go the whole way, hopefully. Whatever semiconductor treatment we apply on the Mg or Al, it has to be able to conduct ions, but not regular electricity.  These cell are not just big diodes, or capacitor, or batteries, but are similar to all of them.  Field energies, instead of galvanics, its a constant influx of energy, there is no real charging or discharging as some still assume. Nor are regular galvanic batteries able to provide a constant output, without discharging themselves, or even increase under load, as some of these cells CAN DO. 
  IB2 had mentioned that so long as there is no oxygen getting into the cell there was no visible oxidation.   I agree, as that is what it looks like, at least at low current levels.  But at 1 to 2 ams, who knows...

  Brad, thanks for the tip on the casing resin, and waiting for the cell to dry out first.  The hydrogen gas bubbles can break right through the resin and corrode the outside of the electrodes.  Conductive or marine dielectric grease for the outside terminals can also help, if these cells are not hermetic, they won't last for long...  I would play around with more carbon/Mg cells.  Except that it is hard to find the magnesium here, so I have to use aluminum, the bigger capacitor cans work good for that.
  I have to add another coat of glue on my hot dog cell, as it actually blows geyser holes blows right through the glue, and begins to dissolve the aluminum wire into a grey mush. Still might last for months, but not what I want to see. It needs to be bone dry then quick sealed, or its a dripping mess of salty water.
I think that to make a cell using a thick Mg can as the cathode with carbon cores as the anodes, and thin layers of totally dry crystal salts electroylte, all sealed up hermetically, (with no watering hole), can be one of the best ways to go.
  By the time we figure out how to make a real permanent output cell, China will be selling them at 2 for a buck, with 3 year guarantee.  Maybe that's what I'm waiting for...  except that they'll really cost $39.95, each. 
                               

[ibpointless2]

One big reason why I say to spray paint or encase the crystal glue cells is that I’ve seen increase in power. The increase is small, one cell went from 1.470 volts @ 26 micro-amps to 1.474 volts 30micro-amps. It was small increase but any increase is important when you consider that encasing the cell puts it even further away from the moisture in the air. So not only does encasing the cell keep it alive longer but it seems to increase power too. [/font]