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Crystal Cell battery

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Ash Small

Sat Nov 15 2014, 02:59AM

Registered Member #3414 Joined: Sun Nov 14 2010, 05:05PM
Location: UK
Posts: 4245

Sulaiman wrote ...

maybe I'll build a crystal radio instead .....

I tried that when I was about ten years old, but it didn't work. Don't give up so easily

EDIT: I was disillusioned for years afterwards.....

Sulaiman

Sat Nov 15 2014, 09:46AM

Registered Member #162 Joined: Mon Feb 13 2006, 10:25AM
Location: United Kingdom
Posts: 3141

I'm not giving up, just waiting until I come across a suitable solid state electrolyte.
Before I started this thread I knew that 'crystal cells' are just electrochemical cells
at least one of the electrodes must be consumed.

The 'free energy' stuff I just threw in for amusement,
my aim is to produce a long life cell, (it should out live me), with useable power.

I have 18mm diameter x 100mm long 99.99% magnesium rods on order from China
each of which if fully consumed could theoretically produce a 225.4 uA.century cell

(25.447 cm^3, 44.227 g, 3.68556 mole, 2.2195 x 10^24 atoms, 711,205 Coulombs)

so I'm hoping for about 100 uA at 3 V for 100 years

hence the need for a very low leakage cell and a low power / long life load.

Photovoltaic cells or various 'energy harvesting' devices are probably better in every respect
but not as interresting.

P.S. a crystal radio was one of my earliest projects, it worked great ! ... fascinated me.
I've made a couple since but not as exciting,
I am considering a 'DX' crystal radio though.... e.g.

Maybe a 'crystal radio' with 'crystal cell' powered amplification ?
..... mmmm

Conundrum

Sat Nov 15 2014, 01:39PM

Registered Member #96 Joined: Thu Feb 09 2006, 05:37PM
Location: CI, Earth
Posts: 4062

Mg S : might work.

Wasn't the "Zamboni Pile" made using something similar ie zinc and copper?
Good for 100 years IIRC.

as requested removed; maybe when politics improves it can be built?

Sulaiman

Sat Nov 15 2014, 07:28PM

Registered Member #162 Joined: Mon Feb 13 2006, 10:25AM
Location: United Kingdom
Posts: 3141

I'm certain that Mg|Ag will work because as you say, Mg|Cu works
and Cu is exactly above Ag in the periodic table of elements
they have the same outer electron configuration

Conundrum

Sun Nov 16 2014, 08:57AM

Registered Member #96 Joined: Thu Feb 09 2006, 05:37PM
Location: CI, Earth
Posts: 4062

What about Mg / CuS ?

Ash Small

Sun Nov 16 2014, 01:43PM

Registered Member #3414 Joined: Sun Nov 14 2010, 05:05PM
Location: UK
Posts: 4245

Mg/Ag will work. Ag is above Cu in the 'galvanic table', and Mg is close to the bottom.

Sulaiman

Sun Nov 16 2014, 02:10PM

Registered Member #162 Joined: Mon Feb 13 2006, 10:25AM
Location: United Kingdom
Posts: 3141

Mg|CuS ....That's a great suggestion, THANKS !

copper(II) sulfide, copper(I) sulfide and copper metal looks interesting
and MgS is a semiconductor, may be a blue-green emitter or a u.v. receiver
Guess it's time for a bit of smelly chemistry !

PLUS, copper is so much cheaper than silver
AND as I'm in the middle of plumbing projects (now=bathroom, next=toilet, then the kitchen)
SO I've plenty of copper pipe cutoffs and fittings.

Most crystal cell videos use Mg|Cu but the sulfide idea is excellent.

The common crystal cells do use Epsom Salts = hydrated Magnesium Sulfate
but sulfide should be better for my longevity requirements,

Update: the sulphides don't appear to allow ion transport ... more experimenting required ...................

Blackcurrant

Fri Jan 16 2015, 11:35PM

Registered Member #2989 Joined: Sun Jul 11 2010, 12:01AM
Location: UK
Posts: 94

seen this on QI
175years not bad

Sulaiman

Sat Jan 17 2015, 11:33AM

Registered Member #162 Joined: Mon Feb 13 2006, 10:25AM
Location: United Kingdom
Posts: 3141

yes, that was one of the first long life batteries that I looked at
but I want a low voltage system.
Presently unable to do much experimenting due to inability to stand or sit up for more than a few minutes due to prolapsed and split discs
but I've done a little bit of work on a pulse motor and set up some corrosion tests for intended electrode/electrolyte combinations.
project still alive but VERY slow progress.

Zamboni

Tue Feb 03 2015, 03:51PM

Registered Member #2836 Joined: Fri Apr 30 2010, 01:24PM
Location:
Posts: 41

I have a few suggestions for my perception of what you are looking to create.

It seems as if you want:
1. Something that is more of a conversation piece.
2. Something that does not require changing batteries.
3. Something that is not plugged into the Mains.
4. Something that is reasonably small.
5. Something that will have some sort of motion for centuries.

If I perceive you correctly, then I know of 2 things that will fill all of those requirements, but are very expensive. I also know of one thing that is far less expensive, but requires energy input. Albeit from an unusual energy source.

1. An Atmos Clock. It is powered by the temperature difference between night and day. I have had one for 25 years and it has never required that I supply it with any external energy. The clock is as beautiful as it is accurate. It is completely silent. The down side is the price. I have seen them for as low as 500, but that is usually at auction. The company that makes them is known for their high priced, but beautiful movements.

Their website is:

2. An (Almost) Perpetual Pendulum. This Device will run for Centuries. It is simply a well designed oscillating Pendulum. The ones that I make cost around 700 dollars, I am not trying to sell you one, I just wanted you to know that they exist. I am sure that you could build one yourself, it took me 7 years, but you, like most of the people on this website, are probably far more intelligent than I am.

Here is a link to the website. That explains how they work. Please forgive my horrible camera work.

I saw that you have physical limitations that might impede your progress, but the creation of the cells is not that difficult. In my opinion, it really takes patience bordering on stupidity.

There are a few things that you can make that will operate for many years, but are using "free to me" power. I noted that you mentioned a crystal radio, That is a great use of "free to me" energy.

I have a long wire antenna powering a small motor. There is a person on youtube named "lasersaber". He had devised a 3d printed motor that he calls the "EZ-Spin Motor". It has a small enough amp draw to be powered by a longwire antenna and a rectifier circuit (If you need the circuit, I can send it to you).

I have printed out the motor and hooked it up to my @200 foot longwire antenna running along my back fence. The wire catches the local radio stations power, and if you are near a 50K watt radio station, it will happily power the motor. I am in Orlando, so there are a great many powerful stations.

The coils on the motor are a pain to wind, but I think it could be done in a sitting position. Even if you don't own a 3d printer (I don't own one), I paid a third party to print it for me.

These are Devices that will far outlast the life of any human. If I correctly perceived your desire, then I am sure you will find these to be fascinating.

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