The David Graham Consultancy
Home Page on really useful Electrochemistry(i) BATTERIES AND FUEL CELLS
Ever since the pioneering work of Léclanché, Daniell, and Faraday, who first enabled the construction of (relatively) reliable, working batteries over a century and a half ago, research has been directed towards finding "better" cells, ie with higher cell voltages, longer lifetimes, higher capacities and improved rechargeability (for secondary devices) - the elusive so-called "advanced battery". Recently, we have seen the development of Nickel-Hydrogen and Lithium-Ion cells, which certainly represent an improvement on earlier types. These have enabled great strides in mobile computing and video equipment, but not sufficient, yet, for powering vehicles - the essential goal. Presently, viable cells utilise a liquid electrolyte solution to carry the IONIC current between the electrodes; this is based on a conducting salt dissolved in water or an organic liquid. The rate at which the cell can work is restricted by these diluents, thus limiting the available current: it also increases the practical weight and volume of the cell with constituents not contributing to the output - the volumetric and gravimetric power densities are less than optimum. If the temperature of cells is increased, it becomes possible to overcome these limitations by omitting the solvent and permitting the electrolyte salt to melt; this provides a continuum of ions capable of carrying charge between the electrodes. At even higher temperatures, solid ceramics can also be persuaded to conduct ions. However, the technology of constructing high temperature devices is much more demanding. Corrosion rates for the containers are greater, self-discharge can be faster (although shelf-life is infinite at room temperature!) and the choice of materials is limited and/or more expensive. Additionally, the power gains need to be significant, since the cell must be capable of providing sufficient extra power to provide and sustain its own heating system. Sealing such cells is a major hurdle to overcome. Fuel Cells, much in the news now with recent breakthroughs in solid polymer types (SPFC) suitable for traction, can be considered as batteries with continuously replenished reactants (as the active components are called); they encounter similar problems. The David Graham Consultancy is working to solve a number of the difficulties experienced in hot cells. Thus, entirely novel means have been devised for low-cost sealing in molten salt batteries on the one hand, and solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC), on the other. Neither system has been trialled so far, although a prototype seal has been constructed for the former system. Sponsors are being sought to conduct proof-of-concept tests in both cases. Additional improvements in electrolyte, separator and electrode formulations for high temperature cells have also been devised, but as no patents have been filed, internationally-valid confidentiality agreements would be required before discussions can begin between interested parties! Most serious development work on these devices is being funded by the US, Japan and Germany. In Britain, researchers have expertise and some funding from these nations in the devices presently attracting serious interest. Unfortunately, the world awaits legislation to force electric vehicles into service: since politicians tend to hold Arts degrees, it is our responsibility to advise them of the importance of our endeavours in the context of a cleaner world.
(ii)WATERS REMEDIATION
The world has become acutely aware of the widespread contamination of surface, waste and even oceanic waters. Small-scale pollution can often be dealt with effectively, if expensively, by present technologies. However, lakes, rivers, reservoirs, estuaries and the like are an entirely different matter. The sheer volume of liquid to be processed is scarcely imaginable. By combining knowledge from several diverse technologies, The David Graham Consultancy in collaboration with Professor Robert Gale of LSU have devised a completely novel and unusual electrochemical solution to these problems. According to these notions, very large volumes of liquids can undergo remediation relatively quickly. Bearing in mind the volumes concerned, the proposed treatment is likely to be relatively inexpensive and the equipment required is quite straightforward: it should be possible to operate continuously and unattended with remote monitoring. To date no trials have been undertaken and the process still requires proof-of-concept, although the individual components of the scheme are well established. Again, partners and sponsors are being sought to enable verification to be undertaken. Progress in pollution remediation is progressing well in Japan and the US, where public health issues tend to appear higher on their political agendae!
(iii) BIOPRODUCTS IN MATERIALS AND ENGINEERING
The need for cheap, readily available natural products for processing into biodegradable, constructional polymers and products is highly desirable. Fabrics can now be manufactured from wood pulp by-products and some packaging materials, albeit derived from petrochemical origins, can be induced to degrade within realistic timescales. [It is even rumoured that cheap beers and spirits can be fermented from a second-cut cereal stubble!] However, these initiatives are limited and the products often add cost to the conventional routes. The net needs to be cast wider for natural resources and their range of applications. In the post-Jurassic Park era, every school pupil understands the origin of amber, derived from fossilised pine resin. But not every sample contains a treasure! The biosynthetic origins of rosin (oleoresins, chemically) in plants, especially trees, is closely allied to the synthetic pathway and deployment in the animal world of the similarly shaped cholesterol molecule. Thus, bile acids, manufactured in the animal gall bladder, are associated with the complex treatment and elimination of fats from the body, paralleling the deployment of resin in trees for the excretion of its wastes. In a previous incarnation, this author published a brief assessment of the similarities and differences between biosynthesis of triterpene derivatives in plants and animals in an internal report. WHY THE INTEREST?? Well, rosin products have already found widespread application in diverse fields such as the reflective base in road- marking paints, varnishes and solder fluxes. This led the author to take a closer look at the unique properties conferred by the shape (conformation), size and composition of triterpene- derived products. Surface activity and lipophillia were abundantly evident. It was surmised that bile acids and cholesterol-based animal products might become available cheaply and in large quantities; notwithstanding, present supplies go towards synthesis of pharmaceuticals such as steroids and cortisones. Undaunted, a brief visit to the laboratory as far back as 1976 confirmed that cholic acid, the principal component of bile acids, performed admirably as a solder flux!! This formed the basis of a subsequent patent application (UK 49284/76) which was sold as a commercial prospect. Later, a series of trials in the four-ball equipment, confirmed that cholesteryl hydrogen phthalate dissolved in motor engine oil produced noticeable wear reduction: another patent submitted (UK 7943442/79). Other applications soon became evident and have been lodged as letters of prior claims. However, these additional routes to engineering and materials products were never fully developed and exploited: no-one else seems to have spotted the enormous potential either, although no genius in organic chemistry is required (this author only claims expertise in inorganic and physical chemistry - the truth is that the organic branch was avoided in undergraduate studies!! Notwithstanding, some teaching duties in the organic field were undertaken later in life, mainly due to reluctance amongst colleagues, though!). The David Graham Consultancy considers that too long an interval has slipped by without the truly magical properties of these natural products being adequately deployed in the engineering and materials sciences. We would welcome the opening of discussions with interested third parties who might wish to exploit the uniqueness of triterpene derivative properties. With mad cows littering the British Isles (and probably many other nations, if the truth be known), the availability and cost of the raw materials is less certain. Similarly, the durability and biodegradability of products remains to be tested. However, there is sufficient promise in the processes already patented and this seems a suitable time to share such accumulated knowledge with potential partners on a cooperative basis and press back a few more frontiers?!
(iv) THE PREPARATION, PLATING AND PROCESSING OF HI-TECH MATERIALS
Folks concerned in this area will be well aware of David's more than three decades involvement with molten media and his texts "Molten Salt Technology" and "Molten Salt Techniques". Building on this, and overlapping somewhat with areas described above, new methods of materials preparation, treatment and plating from novel molten milieu have been devised. These include ceramic particle precipitation with close control of particle size, size distribution and angularity, treatments for modifying such particles and non-aqueous plating of precious and refractory metals. Novel molten mixtures, often in the low-temperature range, have been devised having cheapness, purity and ease-of-handling as primary considerations. Thus, ceramic particles for magnets, fuel cells and filters, for example, may be produced with improved properties of flow, compaction or porosity depending upon application requirements. It is hoped to fulfil the wish of the electronics industry to return to electroplating for 21st century devices, thus avoiding the expense, waste and imprecision of present vapour-phase techniques. Faradaic control in plating offers exactitude of deposit thickness, positioning, quantity and morphology. Some of these procedures are already covered by patents but new and innovative approaches are under continuous development. Scope exists for additional collaborators to join our efforts in some of these endeavours.
(v) THE ALL-NEW ELECTRIC BICYCLE
Often cited as the most efficient machine, man-on-a-bicycle attains close to 50% efficiency. With a small reduction from this figure, the range, endurance and scope of the humble bike can be substantially enhanced by the addition of an electric motor; minimal environmental impact is suffered. Reliable, documented projections envisage 3bn cycles on the roads by 2020, of which 1bn will be electric; most are destined for Asia. To date, attempts to power cycles in this way have been crude and/or serendipitous - bolt-on kits are referred to as 'tyre-scrubbers'. Hub motors incorporating Nd-B-Fe magnets are beginning to appear together with advanced solid-state controllers, but these are rarely well-integrated into traditional frame designs, with the single exception of the NovArs machine. The present project aims at ground-up design to incorporate new motor, new frame, new control and most importantly new power sources, including batteries, fuel cells and ultracapacitors into an integrated whole using new materials. Considerable early interest has been expressed in this concept, but sponsors are still being actively sought.
(vi) THE DAVID GRAHAM CONSULTANCY EDUCATION & TRAINING FACILITY
Electrochemistry has traditionally been even more unpopular amongst chemists than thermodynamics - what hope for the layman? And yet we all rely on it totally! How many lead-acid batteries are needed to crank the engines of the brave souls who work during the cold, unsociable hours to keep our homes, factories and offices warm, lit and functioning? This is the battery system first intimated from Michael Faraday's studies over an hundred and sixty years ago. Gradually, after continuous research since that time, new types are begining to emerge and the fuel cell, at last seems to be a serious prospect. So much for power sources - some of our most important chemical processes are electrochemically driven, too: electroplating and chlor-alkali are two examples. Others exist, more are promised. The David Graham Consultancy is innovative in the field of electrochemical and sciences education. Apart from the traditional one-to-one consultation, ON-SITE SEMINARS™have become an established means of disseminating the good news about electrochemistry and materials sciences to work-groups without removing them from their workplace. This cost-effective training scheme enables managers to maintain contact with their staff at all times, recalling them instantly ,if necessary. Generally, The David Graham Consultancy offers six standard ON-SITE SEMINARS™ each year, on topics ranging from basic refresher courses in electrochemistry and materials, to specialist subjects such as advanced batteries and high temperature systems. However, within this broad field, course topics, level and length can be tailored to individual needs. Seminar groups can be any size. Within the field of chemistry, yours truly has experience of teaching every field of chemistry except radiochemistry! That's a lot of chemistry! It includes conformational analysis, ligand field theory, explosives and genetics, to name but a few (but not necessarily favourites!) - that list does not include other areas upon which lecture courses have been based, such as fluid dynamics, photography and computer hardware, including related materials sciences. Thus, ON-SITE SEMINARS™ can be designed to cover almost any aspect of chemistry as well as peripheral subjects. Through our extensive, worldwide network of contacts, we can arrange seminars on virtually any subject at the cutting edge, anywhere and any time and also recommend existing courses elsewhere. Why not contact us to discuss your specific interests and to plan your training programmes? Our motto :
"COMMUNICATION IS THE KEY TO SUCCESS"
FOLKS INTERESTED IN PARTICIPATING IN ANY OF THE ABOVE PROSPECTIVE PARTNERSHIP VENTURES NEED ONLY PRESS THE CORRECT BUTTONS ON OUR WEB SITE, write, telephone, fax or email us, and it can all start to happen!!
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