Air Battery

Make a battery that works with air and saltwater

This science project experiment is a simplified version of the air battery project
available at ScienceProject.com.

Pictures and excerpts of information are published here with permission.

Introduction: We all know that the world is now facing an energy crisis and
everyone is trying to do something about that. Now you can show everyone that
electrical energy or electricity can be made from air and saltwater. After all, both the
air and the saltwater are freely available everywhere. These are the two things that
we have plenty of them.

This may seem impossible. I could not

believe it myself the first time that I heard
about it. It almost sounds like a magic trick.
Finally, I decided to test it anyway.

I tried different concentrations of salt water,

different temperatures, and different
electrodes and had no success. It took me a
few months thinking about it until I solved
the problem in my mind and decided to
repeat my tests again. This time everything
worked fine and I was able to make enough
electricity to light up a small light bulb.

The concept is easy. The same way that you burn wood and make heat energy, you
should be able to burn metals and get electricity (or electrical energy). The
difference is that you are not really burning any thing; instead, you are producing a
condition for oxidization which by itself is the same as slow burning. So what you
really do is oxidizing iron in saltwater using the oxygen from the air or any other
source. (At least, that’s my theory at this time)

I don’t know if this method of producing electricity is economical and cost effective.
What I know is that it is worth to try. If with one cup of salt water and some metals I
was able to light up a small light bulb, maybe you can light up the entire building by
a tank of salt water and a few hundred pounds of scrap metal.

No mater what is the results, I am proud that I can make an emergency battery for
myself if I need it.

It took me a long time to make the first working battery using the salt water;
however, you don’t have to waste that much time. I have combined the results of all
my experiments and made a recipe for success. Just follow the instructions and you
will get results in the first try.

Actually there are many different combinations of many different materials that can
produce some electricity. Experimenting with saltwater and air is suggested for the
younger students because these are relatively safer material.

List of materials:
This is the minimum list of material you need
for your experiment.

1. Miniature light bulb (low voltage, low

current)
2. Miniature base for light bulb
3. Pair of insulated solid copper wire
AWG=20
4. Pair of alligator clips
5. Magnesium Electrodes
6. Iron Electrodes
7. A cup of saltwater (not in the picture)

8. Screws for the miniature base. Save time and money. Order a kit now.

Additional optional materials you may use:

1. A wooden board to mount the miniature base (light holder)

2. Plastic container about 4" x 4" x 4"
3. Hydrogen Peroxide

What is a good title for my project?

You can call it "Air battery", "Salt water battery", "electricity from air" or "electricity
from the salt water".

Procedure:

1. Remove the plastic insulation of about one inch from both ends of the wires.
2. Loosen the screw on both contacts of the bulb holder. Place one end of the
red wire under one screw, make a loop and then tighten the screw. Place one
end of the black wire under the other screw, make a loop and then tighten
the screw.
3. Pass the open end of the red wire through the arm of the red alligator clip and
secure it under the screw.
4. Pass the open end of the black wire through the arm of the black alligator clip
and secure it under the screw.
5. Screw the light bulb on the miniature base.
6. Connect the red alligator clip to the iron electrode and secure it on one side of
the plastic container or the cup.
7. Connect the black alligator clip to the magnesium electrode and secure it on
the opposite side of the container. (You may need to hold them by hand or
use a small tape to hold them in place on the side of the container.
8. In another pitcher, prepare some strong, warm salt water. Add enough salt so
at the end some salt will be left at the bottom of the pitcher.
9. Transfer the salt water from the pitcher to the container.
10. At this time, if all the connections are secure and the electrodes are large
enough, you should get a light.

How can I get more light?

1. Make sure your electrodes are not touching

each other.
2. Make sure there is nothing blocking the space
between the electrodes.
3. Make sure that the alligator clips are not
touching the salt water.

4. Both electrodes must have the maximum

possible surface contact with salt water.

The test tube electrodes (magnesium electrodes in test tubes) are formed like a
spring. This provides the largest possible surface contact. For Iron electrode you may
use steel wool. Steel wool has a very large surface contact. A steel screen may work
as well.
You may notice that you will get more light if you stir the solution or if you remove
the iron electrode and insert it back again. Such actions provide oxygen to the
surface of the iron.

Note: Steel is about 98% iron.

The oxygen in the air may not be enough for your

demonstration and you may get a dim light.

In this case you may add some oxygen (in the form of
hydrogen peroxide) to the salt water. That should
immediately increase the light.

A cup is relatively small. If you have access to a larger

container, you will get a better result. In a larger
container, it is easier to secure the electrodes in two
opposite sides so they will not touch each other.

Where to buy the materials?

The main components of this project are available as a set in MiniScience.com online
store and KidsLoveKits.com. This set will only include the essential components. You
must have a plastic container, a wooden board, some iron and some hydrogen
peroxide to complete your material.

This set includes 2 Magnesium electrodes, screws, light bulb, light base and insulated
wire with alligator clips on both ends.
 Science Project Idea
Make Electricity From Saltwater
If you are asked to do a science project and you are looking for a good science
project idea, this might be what you have been looking for. Making electricity from
salt water is ranked among the 10 best science project ideas by a group of project
advisors at ScienceProject.com.

Life application:

We all know that the world is now facing an

energy crisis and everyone is trying to do
something about that. Some people try to
use solar energy and wind energy; some
others try to invade and occupy oil producing
countries; and now you can show them that
electrical energy or electricity can be made
from air and saltwater. After all, both the air
and the saltwater are freely available
everywhere. These are the two things that
we have plenty of them available in most
areas.

This may seem impossible.

I could not believe it myself the first time that I heard about it. It almost sounds like
a magic trick. Finally, I decided to test it anyway.

I tried different concentrations of salt water, different temperatures, and different

electrodes and had no success. It took me a few months thinking about it until I
solved the problem in my mind and decided to repeat my experiments again. This
time everything worked fine and I was able to make enough electricity to light up a
small light bulb.

The concept is easy. The same way that you burn wood and make heat energy, you
should be able to burn metals and get electricity. The difference is that you are not
really burning any thing; instead, you are producing a condition for oxidization which
by itself is the same as slow burning. So what you really do is oxidizing iron in
saltwater using the oxygen from the air or any other source. (At least, that’s my
theory at this time)

I don’t know if this system of producing electricity is economical and cost effective.
What I know is that it is worth to try. If with one cup of salt water and some metals I
was able to light up a small light bulb, maybe you can light up the entire building by
a tank of salt water and a few hundred pounds of scrap metal.

No mater what is the results, you can be proud that you can make an emergency
battery for yourself if you need it.

It took me a long time to make the first working battery using the salt water;
however, you don’t have to waste that much time. I have combined the results of all
my experiments and made a recipe for success. Just follow the instructions below
and you will get results in the first try.

Verified and approved by ScienceProject.com

This project idea is verified and approved by a group of project advisors at

ScienceProject.com. It is ranked as a multi-level project that can be tried by
students as young as 12 years old, up to the 4th year chemistry college students. At
higher grades student may also study the movement of ions and the chemical
reactions that cause the production of electricity in saltwater battery.

What is the cost of material?

Some people may already have all the materials at home or be able to get them
free; however, if you choose to buy all materials, you may end up spending about
$20 or more.
A good Project title
Need an exciting and attractive title for your science fair project? You have many
interesting choices with this project. Following are just a few samples:

1. Electricity from air

2. Electrical energy from chemical reactions
3. Electricity from saltwater
4. Air battery
5. Saltwater battery

Introduction:

Batteries have been made with many different chemical compounds. Scientists often
try to make batteries that provide more energy and last longer. Many of such high
quality batteries are commercially available today. They are used in flashlights and
electronic devices such as radios, watches, computers and calculators.

Making a battery is always an exciting science project. Your home made batteries
can be used as chemistry, physics or electricity project. This project can be
performed and conducted as a display project, engineering project or experimental
project. In this project you will make a saltwater battery.

How the battery is made?

A battery is made of two different electrodes inserted in a chemical compound. A

chemical reaction between the electrodes and the chemical compound produces
electricity. For example if you insert a copper rod and an iron rod in a cup of orange
juice, that will be a battery. In this example copper rod and iron rod are the
electrodes and the orange juice is the chemical compound or electrolyte. The
problem is that the electricity produced by such a battery is too little and has no
practical use and you cannot use it to light up a light bulb. The saltwater battery
described in this project guide can light up a light bulb for a few seconds or a few
minutes. When the light goes off, you can simply recharge it by providing fresh salt
water or providing additional air or oxygen. Simply empty the used salt water and
add fresh salt water to get light again.

Does it really work?

Although a saltwater battery is not as strong as a commercial battery, it can produce

visible light on a low voltage light bulb. It is also safer than batteries that use many
harmful chemicals.

What chemicals do I need?

The only chemical that you need is Sodium Chloride (NaCl) also known as table salt.
This is the salt that you usually have it at home and use for cooking. If not, you can
buy it from grocery stores. Good quality, pure and inexpensive packages of salt are
often marked as kosher salt. You also need water (H2O).

What electrodes I can use?

Some articles suggest using Aluminum and Copper metals as electrodes; however, I
have not been able to verify that. I suggest using iron and magnesium electrodes. Of
course you can test any combinations of metals that you like. Iron is widely available
in the form of wires, nails, metal strips, steel wool and many more; however, I used
steel wool because it has a larger surface in compare with others. If you want to use
iron wires or strips, you may make a coil out of them to fit a larger surface in a
smaller space.

Magnesium metal is mostly used in construction of airplanes and some automobile

parts. Some magnesium alloys contain large amounts of aluminum. For this project
you need pure magnesium or a magnesium alloy with more than 65% magnesium.
Any broken piece of a magnesium part may be used as electrode. Pure magnesium
electrode is not sold in stores; however, you can order them online from
MiniScience.com.

Electrodes must be clean; so if you are trying to use a machine part as your
electrode, you may need to wash them with warm water and dishwashing detergent
prior to use. Any oil on the surface of electrodes can interrupt or prevent the
chemical reactions and the electrical current.

Suggested List of material:

1. Salt and water

2. Iron electrode (Steel wool is good)
3. Magnesium electrode (Flat or coil)
4. Wire lids with alligator clips
5. Miniature 1.2-volt light bulb (Low
voltage)
6. Miniature base

7. Hydrogen peroxide

Procedure:

1. Make a strong solution of salt (about 200 grams of salt per liter) in a deep
plastic container (topper ware).
2. Screw the light bulb in the base and connect one wire to each of the contacts
on the base.
3. Connect the open end of one of the wires to the iron electrode (Steel wool).
4. Connect the open end of the second wire to the magnesium electrode.
5. Insert both electrodes at the same time in two opposite ends of the plastic
container. Make sure the electrodes are completely or mostly in the saltwater.
At this time you should get a light in the light bulb.
6. If you remove the light bulb and connect a DC voltmeter to the electrodes,
you must see a voltage of about 1 (one) volt.
7. To get more light, add some hydrogen peroxide (an oxidizer) to the saltwater
solution.

Trouble shooting:

If you are not getting any light, following are possible problems that can be verified.

1. The light bulb is defective, improperly installed or requires much higher

voltage. Test your light bulb with a AA battery and it should work.
2. Check all the connections. Placing a AA battery between the electrodes must
light up the light bulb; otherwise, at least one of the connections has
problem. If you are using regular wire, make sure you have removed the
insulation in all contact points.
3. The electrodes are very small or just a small portion of them is inserted in the
saltwater.

Safety precautions:

After a few minutes of light production, the salt solution becomes alkaline. Alkaline
solutions can irritate eyes and cause dryness of skin. Avoid contact with the used
saltwater solution. Used saltwater can be disposed in the sink or sewer system along
with other household liquid waste. If you add hydrogen peroxide to the solution, you
must dispose dilute it with plenty of water before disposing it. Hydrogen peroxide is
an oxidizer can can cause rust in metal pipes if it is not diluted.

Why is it called air battery?

Batteries are usually known by their electrolyte or their electrodes. Although we call
it saltwater battery (because it is usin

g saltwater as the electrolyte); it also needs air or oxygen. Oxygen is needed in

order to oxidize the iron and this battery will not work where no oxygen is available.
Because of the important role of oxygen in this battery, some people call it air
battery.