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. Miniature light bulb (low voltage, low current) Miniature base for light bulb Pair of insulated solid copper wire AWG=20 Pair of alligator clips Magnesium Electrodes Iron Electrodes A cup of saltwater (not in the picture) 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?

Make sure your electrodes are not touching each other. Make sure there is nothing blocking the space between the electrodes. Make sure that the alligator clips are not touching the salt water. 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 andKidsLoveKits.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. Part# AIRBAT

The electricity produced in this way may be used to light up a light bulb, an LED or run a low voltage electric motor.

 Electromagnet

Electromagnet Science Kit: $25 Electromagnet Science set is a kit with instructions and material to perform many different experiments related to electromagnets. These materials can also be used for your presentation. Build a doorbell, telegraph system, even a catapult, using a true electromagnet.

Electromagnet Science Set includes several introductory experiments in magnetism as well as six complete electromagnet projects. Complete projects are:
1-Construct an electromagnet, 2-Construct an electric catapult, 3-Make pictures of magnetic field, 4-Construction of telegraph, 5-Construct a buzzer, 6-Construct a relay.
Depending on the level, your Electromagnet Science kit may include:

• Experiment and Project book
• Compass
• Coil of magnet wire in spool
• Neodymium magnet
• Latch Magnets
• Plastic coated hookup wire
• Heavy magnet wire
• Sand paper
• Plastic drinking straws
• 8 Sheet metal pieces
• 6 disc magnets
• Small wood screws
• 4 small nails for securing wires
• Large common nails
• Large finishing nail
• Small finishing nail
• Small lights with leads
• Battery holder
• Iron filings
• 2 Pre-drilled wood blocks
• Light emitting diode (LED)

Additional Materials Required: Additional Materials Required for your experiments can be found at home or purchased locally. Some of these material are:

• Four "D" cell flashlight batteries
• Philips screw driver
• String/tread
• 1 spoon
• 1 pair of scissors
• 1 Roll of masking tape
• 1 Nickel (US five cent piece)
• 1 US dollar bill
• 5 US pennies
• 6 Small paper clips
• Several Magazines
• 1 piece of paper (8.5 x 11)
• one book

Opportunities for Science Fair Projects
Many of the questions asked in the Electromagnet Projects, can serve as the "Problem to be solved" in a science project. In setting up your project, you would first state the problem, then hypothesis, ( a guess as the answer to your problem), next procedure to check the hypothesis, and finally a conclusion that answers the stated problem based on what you actually observe in your research. In addition you may be interested in proposing your own, specific research that will expand on your conclusion.
Since magnets are visually enticing in themselves as they interact with each other, it would be strongly suggested that your presentation include the apparatus you used in your research.

 Air propulsion Motor Boats(Simple Electric Circuit)

Combine the joy and excitement of mechanical toys with your science project by constructing an air propelled motor boat. This is also a good way of learning about  simple electric circuits. Your boat will have a battery, a switch and a motor with propeller. This can be used as a science project related to electricity, force or floatation. This idea is good for a display project, an engineering project and an experimental (investigatory) project. The main structure is made of Styrofoam board that is available at hardware stores and home improvement stores.

Material used in this project are: Simple Switch, Electric Motor, Battery Holder, Propeller, Screws and Wire. All the materials are from the "Car Boat Kit". This kit also include wheels and axles in case you need to convert your boar to a hybrid vehicle that can drive both in dry land and in water.

Procedure: Start by cutting the foam. You can cut the Styrofoam easily with utility knives. Just practice for a few minutes and you will get the grip on it. Hold the knife in a sharp angle and don't push too much. You may need to go over the same line a few times until you get a clean cut. Styrofoam boards can be glued using white glue or wood glue. They can also be painted using any latex paint or water based paint.

Feel free on making your own design. Just reserve a place where you can place the electric motor and secure it with tape.Battery is a heavy piece; it must be centered in order for your boat to have a balance on water. Adjustments may be made by placing other heavy objects onboard.

Please note that with this method you are not restricted to a boat. You may also make a car that drives by pushing the air backward. You just need four wheels and four nails. Make sure that the wheels are large enough and can spin freely.To hide the battery and switch, you may also use some cardboard to make a cabin and place it over those parts.

The boat that you see in the picture does not have a steering mechanism. You may try different possible methods to construct a steeling mechanism in your boat.

Finally you can make a vehicle that can drive both on land and in water. To do that simply attach the wheels to the sides of the boat.If you did not get sheaves in your kit, use the wheels of any plastic toy car instead.

 Material that comes with the kit may be used in many other projects as well.

Two pictures of a simple air propelled electric car. With some creativity and artwork you can make this a must better project.

The Kit Contains the electric motor, simple switch, battery holder, wire, light bulb, screw base for light bulb, wire, screws and propeller.You will need additional material and tools such as Styrofoam board, wood, nail, water color, screw driver, battery and utility knife. The electric circuit you make in this project is a simple electric circuit containing a power source (battery), a switch and a resistor (the motor). Car Boat Kit Part#KITCB

This kit does not include pieces of wood or Styrofoam that you may use to make the boat. Both of these items are generally available in craft stores. Styrofoam is also available in Home Depot and some other hardware stores.