2242 Metal Air Batteries And How To Make One

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[@speedycat128]

Robert You really should have EU funding for a school series of videos for the young and old minds out there in my 58 years you are by far the best teacher I have ever had bar none cheers

[@hanslepoeter5167]

Agree. It's not just about technology, it's about enthusiasm for it. Back in my days, a lot of youngman were etching pcb and making stuff. Some build a simple computer. Some wrote programs for their ZX sinclair computer or god forbid their commodore 64. That's all gone. Robert is badly needed. @Robert, whatever happens, keep up the good work.

[@chazlabreck]

I do agree..I'm 66 and still learning from him.

[@chazlabreck]

@@hanslepoeter5167 I just built up two commodors for clients to use as synthesizers for a film series score. I grew up doing all that coding and stuff as a kid and in my 60s now and having a blast resurecting commodores. They sound amazing and have a cool audio chip in them .

[@brettmasters5379]

quite so

[@ravenmad9225]

Funding from somewhere yes. Britain is no longer a member of the EU so getting funding from them could be tricky.

[@michaelcolfer4256]

I really hope i bump into this guy someday just to shake his hand and tell him he's awesome. Keep up the good work and never change.

[@LeinsterExile]

I remenber going into secondary school. The first thing we did in science class was make water rockets. This was followed closly be actual small rockets (basically fireworks). We did everything from model aircraft to a small distillation unit to electro plating and making hydrogen. It's because of my science teacher I did a degree in mechanical engineering. Thank you Mr Ford. 😊

[@ruidadgmailcanada8508]

Those are the exact teachers that should be making the national curriculum. Science is captivating not the tedious memorization the kids get. Mr. Ford was a blessing.

[@CraigLandsberg-lk1ep]

Really wish I was in your class😅

[@LeinsterExile]

@@CraigLandsberg-lk1ep I can still make my own gunpowder and solid rocket propellant. At Halloween I usually make Hydrogen and tie the balloons on strings in the garden and let the kids set them off.

[@kevinmorris1117]

I was lucky enough to meet Rob today at the beach!! Made my day!! Great video as always sir, shame about the sound quality but the content was A star ⭐️

[@ThinkingandTinkering]

it was good to meet you too mate - ironically the battery in my mike went flat lol!

[@robmcdonald7074]

😂 certainly ironic

[@ruidadgmailcanada8508]

@@ThinkingandTinkeringThe battery wasn’t dead, it was a peacefully protesting for job security. 🤔

[@kingofnothing2260]

I would love to see your post apocalypse home electrical grid choice. Batteries or harvesters etc, generators, storage, distribution etc. Your choice. What would you do?

[@wendyhughes2234]

One of these days the Grid is likely to go down and then we will be in darkness if we don't find other options for even very minimal needs. Thank you for this interesting information. May you and your family, and ministry- be blessed.

[@martinsmallridge4025]

Robert, as folk are commenting on the audio quality I thought I suggest some solutions to consider.. 1. Davinci Resolve Pro has a couple of useful functions that help isolate human voice and also level audio 2. Also might be worth investing in a decent audio recorder with a lapel mic to get better audio quality. Easy to sync with your video. Eg: Tascam DR-10L I use both for my own instructional videos and it makes a massive difference. Appreciate it’s a budget thing but thought I’d mention it rather than the troll snark.

[@victoryfirst2878]

Never realized that using rust with air would be a battery. This is just wild and crazy at the same time Robert. Well displayed video with effects. One can tell you thought it all through. Job well done again fella. v

[@CraigLandsberg-lk1ep]

Just proves the 'power' of Oxygen! Second only to hydrogen which is the fuel of a 🌟 star!

[@victoryfirst2878]

Well stated Craig. @@CraigLandsberg-lk1ep

[@matthewellisor5835]

Oh, you just brought back some awesome memories from long ago! When i was but 12-13 years old, I made (found plans in some book or other) a Zinc-air cell. If memory serves, utilizing black Iron oxide as catalyst and incorporating a continuous fueling (well, slowly pulling the Zinc foil and separator along) system. I suppose that makes it a fuel cell? I was invited to present it to a university class (on a different topic) which I was "informally" (read, just walked in, sat down and started taking notes) auditing. Quite the terrifying thrill for that young boy but I believe the Prof. wanted to make an example of the curious, awkward and desperately bold chap.

[@joohop]

Great Work Earthling Blessings From Aberystwyth , Wales ❤

[@AlyxGlide]

my cousin just graduated chem in air batteries, so he'll likely be talking about it!

[@8ank3r]

Great job! Does it have much current? I heard 1.8V is there a formula to figure the mA it produces?

[@VictorZucchini]

You thought this was “interesting”. “INTERESTING”??? Man, this is freaking outstanding! Mind blowing, like - whaaaaaaat???!!! I am totally doing this!!! Is there any way to get a larger piece to power something more serious? What would you need to have this actually working as a battery, without you coming back to wet it or if this would be done on a larger scale , how long can it power and what kind of items. Could you do another video on this and go into more detail on how to scale it (not industrial scale, but maybe running something in a small house, or on a small farm? Thank you. This video is simply awesome! What other type of “batteries” are there and where can I read about it? Is there a book you could recommend? Cheers.

[@stevetobias4890]

Potassium Permanganate has such a wide variety of uses. It can also be used as an emergency fire starter by adding a drop of Vegetable Glycerine, (Just make sure it's already on the wood before adding a drop or two of Vegetable Glycerine!)

[@lloydevans2900]

Many years ago when I was at school, I would use this reaction as a time-delay ignition method for DIY fireworks: Pour out a little pile of permanganate crystals into a little foil tray sitting on the ground or taped to a horizontal surface, position the firework fuse just above it, then add a dribble of glycerine from a plastic syringe or pipette. You can control the timing fairly reliably by altering the particle size of the crystals, since this affects the surface area available for the reaction. If you use a fine powder, the glycerine ignites almost immediately, with a time delay of only a few seconds. Granules the size of sugar or sand give an ignition delay of 20 to 30 seconds. Even larger granules about the size of uncooked rice grains are even slower, giving an ignition delay of a minute or more. The way I did this was by getting a jar of coarse permanganate crystals and sifting them through sieves with different mesh sizes to collect granules of different sizes, then store them in separate jars. Plus taking some of the smallest crystals and grinding them in a pestle and mortar to make some fine powder.

[@stevetobias4890]

That is so way cool!!

[@ThinkingandTinkering]

Great tip!

[@corinneyeager]

I agree‼️❣️need more like these exsprements for children...(and old folk like me) now to get parents involved.....😢

[@BriSouth]

Fascinating! I really enjoy sharing in your excitement. Thank you for such eye opening content!

[@StevenHolladayPhotography]

I stumbled on here tonight. very interesting stuff. I almost immediately left when you connected the battery and i didn't see anything happen. I kept watching and listening and you were talking as though something was happening . I stopped and searched for the point of contact and realized it was a fan and not a light. I was even watching on a big screen tv. So just saying, use a light or something more visible because what your saying is important and people need to listen and understand. Keep up the good work and thanks for the video.

[@russellzauner]

Yes! They said I was crazy but my decades of work on optimizing rust is gonna pay off!

[@ShafaqIftikhar-pw9ld]

Thank you for a great upload Robert.

[@ThinkingandTinkering]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@nicolalopez-xj6ok]

GREAT! I 'd like to see a cargo ship powered with this technology!

[@Nihlink]

You put out an incredible amount of content. It’s impressive

[@mikegLXIVMM]

Great work and thanks for the information! Will this work with other metals?

[@johnbash-on-ger]

There are other chemistries for other metals, even rechargeable types!

[@rusolinio121]

Potassium permanganate mixed with petrol in a glass jar was a childhood favourite. Jolly roger was to blame.

[@simonexperiences]

goog! but i prefer rechargeable secondary cells, like reversible rust battery... thanks for this sharing😉

[@monkeysrightpaw]

As a chemist my gut says this will work with an old aluminium can. But I can't be bothered to check....

[@tomasotreasaigh111]

Lol, as an intellectual dilettante, I reckon you make a living prescribing to people that you know don't need your wares... but I can't be bothered to check your cheques! Peace from Ireland mo chara, your honesty and humour is refreshing x

[@peterlang777]

Manganese dioxide was used in the old zamboni cells. The ones that are supposed to power the Oxford bell

[@donniewatson9120]

Now you have rust all over your lab. :-)))

[@blueredbrick]

I'm currently without a lab, could you try this method with an Aluminium block with a tiny bit of Gallium absorbed into it, you know better me even but here it goes ; sandind the alu block bare and then put a liquid drop of gallium and gently mix with a bamboo stick or similar non reactive . Love your work as always, kind regards from nl

[@slick05123]

Robert, I'd love to know your thoughts on what you would recommend for 3D printing an easy secondary battery to make at home. There's so many options, pros and cons, and possibilities with a 3D printer capability.... If you were to make an easy, repeatable, secondary battery for home use; what would you choose? Usage being for a wind turbine system at home. I love all the work you put into your videos, you've sparked a love of science in me that I thought was long gone since my primary school days. Thanks for being so awesome.

[@ThinkingandTinkering]

I am sorry mate - i don't understand - can you explain a bit further what you mean? sorry for not understanding - cheers

[@christopherleubner6633]

Want to make a super high current version? Use steel wool with rust as the anode with a stainless steel or nickel alloy current collector. For the electrolyte use sodium or potassium hydroxide solution. Coat a fine silver plated screen with a mix of graphite, activated charcoal, silver and MnO2. Best to rapidly stir a slurry of the carbon and silver nitrate, then add a bit of KOh with heating, Next add kMnO4 then add hydrogen peroxide to add the MnO2 to it and vacuum filter. Add fresh KOH to it and scrape into the screen. Make a sandwich of 2 cathode and 1 anode plate and wrap it all in tyvek material. Gives about 1.3V but can output several amps and can be recharged. ❤

[@maxvaessen]

Awesome video, thanks for all you do ❤

[@martinsmallridge4025]

Herne Bay pier! My old teenage job as a skate attendant many moons ago… *ahem* and back to the topic in hand 😇

[@triedzidono]

Anyone know a teacher as good or better than R.M.S.? please let me know. Let everyone know. I understand everything being said and shown, rare for an illiterate thicko like me. This content is beyond belief. So many complexities of life explained, demonstrated and then a happy laugh. Apologies for the apparent sycophancy, usually I stick to trolling but I've got nothing to say against this genius.

[@FranticRock]

Thanks for the explanation. I guess the challenge for at-scale mass adoption is making it rechargeable without having to swap in the magnesium catalyst.

[@dav1dbone]

I watched a video about reducing copper oxide with hydrazine, I started to wonder if there was a battery application, copper air battery? The video is titled "I reduce COPPER from oxide using ANHYDROUS HYDRAZINE",

[@marcfruchtman9473]

Thank you very much for making this video. I really appreciate the explanation of the Iron-Air battery. But I was a bit confused because you switched to Magnesium Air later in the video. Nevertheless I found the use of the catalyst ( nano-form of manganese dioxide ) to be very helpful as well as the use of the carbon felt instructions. Magnesium can burn really hot tho. And it wouldn't take much to get a pure magnesium plate burning if something like a short were to happen in a battery. However, the advantage to magnesium over iron appears to be improved energy density and better cell voltage. It would be better if the magnesium could be put into a form that was less dangerous, but retained most of the benefits. Good stuff!

[@ThinkingandTinkering]

they all work the same way mate - but i swapped to magnesium because it is so much more energy dense

[@shawnCmasters]

This appears to be a primary cell. What are the options for building a secondary metal air battery at home?

[@DavidPaulNewtonScott]

What is the energy density per kg of the rusting iron reaction? I have an idea for a small battery for LED lights for my house in Portugal.

[@RaffaellaSignorini-hw5fp]

Great battery! Where could we find the graphite felt? Do you have any suggestion?

[@idrisomoh8933]

Between the aluminum air b33 and metal which is now more cool

[@gdesltd1]

Aluminium air battery is potentially better as its 100% recycable and dose not use rare earth minerals. (An Ex-Navy officer from Britain Trevor Jackson invents a battery that can give a range of 2000 km on a single charge.) The idea is to switch out the battery in 90 seconds at a filling station. Also look into the Nathen Stubblefield Coil to power a rotor for about 10 days with out any battery.

[@Preyhawk81]

Reducing the Al2O3 needs an lot of energy and carbonrods that release co2. with Cryolithe i think you need over 1000C without it over 2000C

[@12thsonofisrael]

Great one Sir Robert 👏 👍

[@deaconblue949]

When Robert does those exterior filming scenes I am always hoping that John Cleese or Eric Idle will wander into the shot and say or do something extremely funny. Now for something completely different!😆

[@lightcapmath2777]

If I may suggest, have another camera to show close ups of the fan. Peace to all. DVD:)

[@smashhead9728]

You are awesome af! Love your videos!

[@chazlabreck]

Robert ,,,I noticed in your demonstration you put the carbon on top of the magnesium then during the dry one test later you put the carbon between the flower foam and magnesium ?

[@oninbridders]

500k followers. Isn't it time we set up a donation page to sort out Robert's A/V setup.

[@6teeth318-w5k]

1:50 Lightpainting. :)

[@lightcapmath2777]

Inspiration, "garage made product", solve the need for more energy. research.. Thank you RMS for this video. DVD:)

[@JensHolmAndersen]

Brilliant

[@egg399.]

What is the efficency.? We have to heat the solution up yo 75degrees C. Would be good to know the power output of the cell you produced.

[@thewaveringwarrior]

Couple of questions. It was difficult seeing your current measuring device, what current did it produce. Also this looks like a non rechargeable battery, is this different to a rechargeable iron Air battery?

[@Guardian_Arias]

From lithium batteries to rocket fuel batteries. That seems like a logical evolution. If anyone is wondering, look up potassium permanganate and hydrogen peroxide.

[@douglasheld]

Is it very easy to reverse the reaction and rebuild the Mg metal by applying a voltage?

[@AutoNomades]

So is it electrically reloadable battery, or only chemically?

[@atrumluminarium]

Would the power output increase with higher air pressure? I am assuming yes because there will be more oxygen molecules bombarding the surface. I ask because in an automotive application, trying to optimise aerodynamics to leverage ram pressure incident on the electrodes might be beneficial.

[@cantstoptinkering]

Would magnesium sulphate (Epsom salt) work in place of the magnesium? Magnesium sheet is expensive.

[@wakeUPdummies]

I swear, britts add letters to elements.

[@pauldent3059]

I'm loving the chemistry stuff, I only wish I could have carried it on in further education instead of being pushed into trade work

[@brentsido8822]

No reason you can't keep learning on your own when not at work. The continued mental stimulation will benefit you in many ways

[@samsungtv4u]

😂 he's a mad man I say.

[@petertoth8621]

Hi Robert, why don't you blow oxigen into steel dust?

[@villagevaliant]

Ok can anyone tell me: will scaling this procedure up by mass. Increase power output ? And in which case would one need any particular situated placement ( such as repeating the layering or the sized amount used generally does it )

[@KoolRanqe]

How far in my understanding is missing with the whole process without any chemistry classes 😢 my main understanding and the methods I've been able to draw upon are mechanically charged

[@Gomorragh]

can you not evaporate the water from the saline solution while in the oasis then all you need to do is drop some water on the oasis and not have to find some saline solution to drop on it, this sort of thing could be so helpfull in survival situations

[@huthutchinson1778]

Robert, Thank you for everything. I enjoy and learn from each and every video that you present. But,,,,,,, Please, spend a few quid on a PROPER AUDIO SYSTEM, your Audio lets you down. With inside recordings the audio bounces off the walls. With outside recordings no wind-sock on microphone buffets the sound. I have to watch with closed captions. I am just realising that I am a, a - Grouchy old man . Sorry. 👴

[@michaeljordan215]

I am finding Fe2O3 and 4Fe(OH)3 for the rust. What is the deal? Is hydrogen bonded into the rust?

[@Smo1k]

There's a lot of different molecules commonly referred to as rust, either iron oxides or iron hydroxydes, usually containing crystal water (which doesn't have to be only H2O but can be alkaline) to boot. Rust chemistry is not wholly simple 😉

[@michaeljordan215]

@@Smo1k thx

[@cantstoptinkering]

You had me confused for awhile by using the word "Rust". I was looking for the iron in the battery but then assumed you meant oxide , using the word rust as a generic term. Is that correct? I'm no chemist.

[@hfyaer]

The permanganate is more of a reactant than a catalyst in thise case.

[@ThinkingandTinkering]

yes it is it reacts to form manganese dioxide nanoparticles which is the catalyst

[@AdamBechtol]

Can it be charged to get the magnesium back? Thx.

[@MarioAbbruscato]

mind blowing

[@mikeguitar9769]

Is the reaction something like this? 4 KMnO4 + 3 C + H2O -> 4 MnO2 + 2 KHCO3 + K2CO3

[@mikeguitar9769]

Is there a way to essentially “electroplate” MnO2, say by using potassium manganate (K2MnO4) as an intermediary? Reaction 1: 2MnO2 + 4KOH + O2 → 2K2MnO4 + 2H2O Reaction 2 (electrolysis): (-): O2 + 2 H2O + 4e- -> 4 OH- (+): 2 K2MnO4 + 2C + 4 OH- -> 2 MnO2 + 2 K2CO3 + 2 H2O + 4e- ? Net (R2): O2 + 2 K2MnO4 + 2C -> 2 MnO2 + 2 K2CO3 Net (R1+R2): 2 O2 + 4KOH + 2C -> 2 K2CO3 + 2H2O Reaction 3, (at anode): 2 CO3(2-) + 2 H2O -> 2 CO2 + 4 OH- ? Net (R1+R2+R3): 2 O2 + 2C -> 2 CO2 --- Idea 2 (slow dissolution and precipitation of MnO2 without electrolysis): Reaction 1: 6 MnO2 + 12 KOH + 3 O2 → 6 K2MnO4 + 6 H2O Reaction 4: 6 K2MnO4 + 4 H2O ⇄ 4 KMnO4 + 2 MnO2 + 8 KOH (reaction proceeds slowly) Reaction 5: 4 KMnO4 + 3 C + H2O -> 4 MnO2 + 2 KHCO3 + K2CO3 ? Net (R1+R4): 4 MnO2 + 4 KOH + 3 O2 → 2 H2O + 4 KMnO4 Net (R1+R4+R5): 4 KOH + 3 O2 + 3 C → H2O + 2 KHCO3 + K2CO3 --

[@vicoltitus9753]

And with iron ??? How it works with iron ? What catalyst ??

[@rastaralph7154]

Very interesting. Cheers 👍💚💛❤️

[@shortview9089]

How much Magnesium it would take to run a House hold for a month¿

[@howwitty]

Woooooow!!!!

[@TerranVisitor]

Robert. With regards to metal air batteries and carbon sequestration - both can 'consume' atmospheric oxygen / tie it up indefinitely. I have been wondering, if these technologies end up being used by 8 billion people, will our atmospheric oxygen be in 'jeopardy'?! We must all remember that plants don't MAKE oxygen - they cycle it. Could be completely ludicrous or it could be important.

[@DJ-uk5mm]

Wow. How do you ramp up the power?

[@ocayaro]

Why didn’t you do a closeup the battery in action?😢😢😢

[@MrFujack103]

6:13 put a 1 drop of antifreeze on a teaspoon of potassium permanganate

[@Jon-fs2zj]

Once the zinc is consumed you just replace it and your good to go again?

[@ThinkingandTinkering]

yes - but it is magnesium

[@josepeixoto3384]

numbers? volts, amps?

[@JustGoAndFly]

Yo Robert what materials would you bring with you if you had to build as many batteries in the desert as possible

[@triedzidono]

water

[@Roger7137]

I couldn't realize where were the Fe air battery running???

[@triedzidono]

3:05 that diagram. or the one he made at the end of the video. Magnesum, saltwater, Potassium peregrinate on carbon felt,steel. I need to watch a second time. @@Roger7137

[@CraigLandsberg-lk1ep]

Where do you get carbon felt?

[@ThinkingandTinkering]

amazon or ebay

[@Hermit_of_the_Holler]

Whatcha got for us today Robert..??

[@johnbash-on-ger]

Show Rechargeable Metal Air Batteries And How To Make One

[@readoryx373]

Yes. Do we need to have a setup for constant soaking and drying in potassium permangenate?

[@kevinroberts781]

What would hydrogen peroxide do?

[@kilokilos]

Very good, my chemistry is 0 though.

[@ThinkingandTinkering]

you need a lttle chem if you are going to get to grips with batteries mate but i tried to do a bit on how to where you didn't ned the chem but could just do it if you wanted

[@daveh7720]

That demonstration with steel wool brought back memories of Mr. Wizard. But I like Mr. Murray's enthusiasm better! Is this oxidation reaction similar to what happens in the zinc-air batteries that are used in hearing aids?

[@schirmcharmemelone]

vitrate of the video seems quite low? super pixelated. and i am on 1080p

[@paulwary]

Oh god, blowing iron dust and iron oxide into all your electronic equipment.

[@triedzidono]

got the first like ! yesss

[@ThinkingandTinkering]

awesome lol

[@salimufari]

The audio is pretty jarring when it's all over the place from cut to cut. May need to spend more time evening out the tracks.

[@R2NOTU]

I guess it's not rechargeable.

[@Richard-j3z]

Has he done a video about earth batteries yet

[@user-fc2xg5iz7y]

Yes

[@user-fc2xg5iz7y]

Yes

[@ruidadgmailcanada8508]

Never disappoints. Always fascinating concepts made approachable with an eagerness to share. With that glint in your eyes you’re my Robin Williams of physics and engineering! ❤ from neo-feudal 🇨🇦

[@kissmeiamitalian1]

Robert Murray-Smith channel is all about 21th century technologies but with pre-WW2 sound quality

[@PolygonSwan]

Somebody buy this genius some lapel and shotgun mics!

[@VinoVeritas_]

Ironically, these technologies are pre WWII.

[@happyatheists9361]

i love this guy ❤

[@ianhendrix5414]

would it be possible to make a flow battery using just sodium chloride, similar to the Chloralkali process? The only downsides might be hydrogen production making it inefficient.

[@sc0or]

A sound went out.