Salt-water Fuel Cell Science Kit - product overview

The Salt-water Fuel Cell Science Kit illustrates a cutting edge fuel cell concept: combine a saltwater electrolyte with magnesium plates to generate electrical energy. The Salt Water Fuel cell kit enables you to investigate the science behind salt water fuel cell technology, either by powering the included mini-turbine or creating your own power applications.

• Features magnesium salt-water fuel cell power device
• Develop your own micro-fuel cell applications
• Easy to integrate and use
• Compatible with other Horizon science kits
• Create energy from salt water solution and power a fan
• Analyze current and voltage variation using different salt concentrations
• Analyze current and voltage variations using different temperatures
• Analyze current and voltage variations using different fuel volumes

What is a salt water fuel cell? How does it work?

This kind of fuel cell works with air and with a plate made with magnesium. The electricity is made by two chemical reactions which occur in two different point of the cell. The first sight of the reaction is on the plate which is called anode. On this side, the water reacts with the magnesium and creates hydrogen ions (protons) and magnesium hydroxide and generates two free electrons. On the other part of the cell (cathode), the oxygen contained in the air which pass through the cell walls react with the water in order to constitute hydroxide ions. This reaction is possible only if there are additional electrons which are provided. So during the reaction, the free protons generated on the anode are attracted by the cathode because of the difference of potential. If the cell is linked to an electrical circuit, the free electrons will pass inside it in order to reach the cathode and let the second reaction happen. You can find the two half redox equations below.

Mg + 2H2O → Mg(OH)2 + 2H + 2e-

1/2 O2 + H2O + 2e- → 2OH

2Mg + O2 + H2O → Mg(OH)2

The salt in the water is used as a catalyst. In other words, it means that salt accelerate the reaction between Mg and water.