KARPEN PILE

[pomodoro]

Attached are pics of a failed copper cathode Karpen. Somehow I could not get the copper to become cathodic. I tried both acid and alkaline electrolyte. Having the copper as anode , even with hydrogen around makes it difficult to rule out anything but the hydrogen being oxidized. I assumed the copper pipe contained other alloyed substances which are more easily oxidized.

[MarkE]

Copper snail abatement tape for keeping snails off trees is available from the home improvement store garden section is rather pure and reasonably cheap.

[profitis]

I've never done the hydrogen cell before with iron as cathode,will be interesting to see result although I'm not expecting miracles with it(I'm expecting it to go anodic not cathodic).copper wire from a normal appliance lead is basicly purish copper.I simply use a single bundled etched(HNO3) strand of such wire as all my copper cathodes.you must be careful of alloys yes.brass and bronze are a no-go.pure Gold is the ultimate cathode material for scientific hydrogen spillover results in alkali or acid.

[profitis]

Pomodoro if you use pure gold as your cathode the chances of success go dramaticly up.use a big a piece as you can get.plate it thick onto etched silver

[pomodoro]

Mercury is next then I'm packing up. Gold plating on carbon no good.  If these cells work I think cathode needs to be far deeper away from hydrogen. They only work due to lower activity of hydrogen ie concentration cell.