Reducing the cost of Johnny 5 / MacGyver experiments

nickec

I gave it a go with a depleted standard CR2032 battery and deionized water.

There is a very thin layer of lithium (which oxidizes as soon as it's exposed to air) coated on the interior of the negative plate. That's what reacts with water.

There's a photo on wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/…e:CR2032_disassembled.jpg

The amount seems so low that I don't think it's worth the effort and expense anyway.

nickec

At a local store I could freely purchase 100 grams of LiOH.H₂O (monohydrate) for just under 8 euro (or 1 Kg for 35 euro). If really needed this could be baked above 100 °C to obtain the anhydrous form.

If I recall correctly the main rationale for using elemental lithium was that heavy water was initially employed and LiOD is difficult to come by. Without this requirement anymore (JohnyFive reported that light water works too), standard LiOH could be used. If sodium or potassium carbonate/hydroxide also work for these titanium experiments, costs and availability could be improved substantially, as previously pointed out.

Quote from nickec

Will be in Los Angeles Nov. 1st through at least the 5th. Perhaps I can visit Magicsound Compound.

We can compare musical and electrochemical efforts.

I'm in Santa Cruz, about 300 miles (5 hrs) north of LA. I'd welcome a visit if you have a rental car available to get here.

AlanG