Adam Muzzarelli

STEM Chem 3
3/11/19

1.
[Side view showing voltaic cells] [Top view showing positive node] [Bottom view showing negative node]

2. We created a battery consisting of individual voltaic cells stacked into a voltaic pile. Each
voltaic cell is comprised of a copper cathode and zinc anode separated by a salt water
electrolyte. 15 of these cells are stacked in series to create our final battery. Stored
chemical potential energy in the battery is converted into electrical energy when a circuit
is connected to the battery. We used the electrical energy to power an LED, producing
light energy.

3. Our first version of a voltaic cell was comprised of a 3x3cm copper square; a 3x3cm
cardboard square, dipped in salt water, sitting on top the copper; and a 3x3cm zinc
square, on top of the cardboard. This design failed because the cardboard could not
hold a high enough density of electrolytes to conduct electricity from one terminal to the
other. We tried switching the cardboard to felt, as felt has a higher capacity to hold liquid
than cardboard. This allowed us to store more electrolyte between the terminals. This
was successful when we tested if a voltaic cell could transfer electricity. Although it could
transfer electricity, the voltaic cell by itself was not powerful enough to light an LED. Our
next revision had the goal of increasing the power output of our battery. We achieved
this by stacking 4 voltaic cells in series, and then stacking 3 of the mini stacks into a
larger, main stack. This voltaic pile was able to successfully power an LED. Our next 3
revisions were aimed at trying to increase voltage and current from our battery. We went
from stacking 3 mini voltaic piles to instead one larger voltaic pile containing all of the
cells. This decreased the amount of connections, limiting potential energy loss.
 Furthermore, we added more salt into our felt solution. This increased the electrolyte
content of the battery and resulted in increased voltage. Finally, we tried to increase the
amperage of our battery by running multiple wires from it to the LED. Unfortunately, this
did not work.

4. Technical Specifications
a. Energy Sources
i. Chemical Energy ​: The potential in a system for a reaction to occur. In our
project, potential chemical energy is stored in the battery in the form of
the copper and zinc plates. The chemical energy is released through two
reactions. At the anode, an oxidation reaction occurs with the following
equation : Zn​(s)​ → Zn​2+​(aq)​ + 2e​-​. At the cathode, a reduction reaction
occurs with the following equation : Cu​2+​(aq)​ + 2e​-​ → Cu​(s)​. These reactions
provide the flow of electrons from the battery.
ii. Electrical Energy​ : Electrical energy is produced by harnessing the
reactions from the battery. By attaching the battery to a circuit, electrons
travel from the anode, out through the circuit, and then to the cathode.
The electricity traveling through the circuit can be used as a power
source, for example, to power an LED
iii. Light Energy​ : In our project, light energy is produced from an LED. The
LED is powered from the electrical energy which is generated from the
battery. Light emitting diodes create light through a process called
electroluminescence. This process takes place when an electron enters
the LED from a power source. The electron recombines with an electron
hole in a semiconductor, releasing a photon in the process. The color of
light emitted is determined by the frequency of the photon released, which
itself is determined by the energy level of the photon. The energy level of
the photon is determined by how much energy is needed for the electron
to cross the band gap of the semiconductor. Different colors of light can
be achieved by stacking different semiconductors.
b. Data of Energy Production
Trial Design Issues Changed Voltage Amperage

T1 A voltaic cell Did not First design 0 0

comprised of conduct not
3x3cm electricity applicable
copper,
3x3cm
cardboard
dipped in
saltwater,
3x3cm zinc

T2 Voltaic cell Provided Switched ~0 ~0

 comprised of minimal cardboard to
copper, felt energy felt to
soaked in achieve
saltwater, higher
zinc density of
electrolytes.
Was able to
conduct
electricity

T3 Stacked 4 Connections Increased 3.7 V 56 mA

sets of 4 between power output
voltaic cells each sub pile
into a larger were poor
voltaic pile.

T4 Made one big Low Removed 4.1 V 58 mA

voltaic pile of amperage connections
all 16 voltaic between sub
cells piles to
increase
efficiency

T5 Added more Still low Salt levels in 4.5 V 58 mA

salt to amperage electrolyte
electrolyte solution
solution

T6 Added more No noticeable Tried to allow 4.5 V 59 mA

wire change in more flow of
connections amperage electrons to
to each increase
terminal of amperage
the battery

Final 16 voltaic Low Remained 4.5 V 57 mA

cells as amperage with 1 wire
described in instead of
Trial 2 multiple
stacked in
series into 1
voltaic pile

5. Molecular Blueprint
6. Voltaic Cell Energy
a. To find the theoretical energy of each cell, we used the standard electrode
potentials of copper and zinc. The reduction potential energy for Zinc is -0.76
volts, and the reduction potential energy for Copper is 0.34 volts. Since one
reaction is actually an oxidation reaction, its sign changes, resulting in an additive
total between the two potentials of 1.1 volts per cell. Multiplied by the 16 cells
gives our battery a potential energy output of 16.6 volts. Compared to our
measured 4.5 V, this is a huge difference.
7. Selling Points
a. Pros
i. Successful in generating electricity
ii. Cheap, abundant materials. Copper, zinc, water, salt, felt
iii. High voltage
iv. Can light an LED
b. Cons
i. Big and bulky
ii. Heavy
iii. Low amperage
iv. Had short lifespan because electrolyte evaporated
c. If given a chance to revise our battery I would like to try to improve current, while
at the same time making a smaller battery.