Design Development

Sparky 1

Battery made from zinc plated nails (anode) in zinc sulfate solution and copper (cathode) in copper sulfate solution with a salt bridge made from sodium chloride soaked sponges

Battery case was prepared from Plexiglas with 10 cells per case

Cases are stackable to allow for the use of multiple cases

Sparky 2

Figure 1 : Battery Case

Figure 2: Stacked Battery Cases

Complications The weight of the cases was substantial Did not achieve high enough current or voltage

Battery made from zinc plated nails (anode) in zinc sulfate solution and copper nails (cathode) in copper sulfate solution with a salt bridge made from agar and sodium chloride

Each cell was created in plastic tubing to reduce size and weight

Agar salt bridge was used to maximize ion flow, creating improved current and voltage

Complications Still could not achieve high

enough current to propel the motor using a reasonable number of cells

Figure 3: U Tube Cell Design

Final DesignSparky 3

Made from galvanized steel (zinc) and copper plates

Paper towel sheets soaked in lemon juice were placed in between metal plates to act as an electrolyte

Each cell was made from one zinc plate and one copper plate with a soaked paper towel placed in between

Battery

Locomotion/Body Design 9V, 0.1 amp motor used to

propel car Gears attached to both motor

and front axle Galvanized steel body CD casing

Hydrochloric acid of varying concentration is used to dissolve a magnesium strip

The strength of the hydrochloric acid is determined by time it takes car to travel the required distance

Magnesium strip is wired within the circuit and acts like a switch, shutting the motor off

Timing Reaction

AIChE Car Competition: Battery Powered MotionJosh Ashcroft, Joshua Gemmell, Susan Kubinski, Robert Ruttle, Stephen Sepulveda,

Advisors Dr. Jeff Heys and Fred Peña, Arizona State UniversityBryan Sexton, and David Vasquez, Arizona State University

Figure 4: Josh and Robert Creating Battery

Figure 5: Timing Reaction Case

Case is made out of Plexiglas 2 pins are use hold

magnesium ribbon on place

Figure 6: Sparky 3

Budget

All other supplies used were donated to the project from various sources

AcknowledgmentsSpecial thanks to Dr. Jeff Heys and Fred Peña for all their assistance and the Department of Chemical Engineering, ASU’s Ira A. Fulton School of Engineering for funding this project

Future Work Experiment with a variety of assorted electrodes Experiment with different electrolytes Create a enhanced propulsion method/body design

36 cells were used – 4 sets of 9 cells wired in parallel Case constructed from Plexiglas

Items CostElectrical Supplies

Wire $15Building Supplies

Sheet Metal $55Plexiglas $6.80Hardware $4.75Solder $5

Chemical SuppliesCopper $69JB Weld $10Hydrochloric Acid $25Magnesium $25Lemon Juice $5

Poster $50

Total $270.55

Figure 7: Bryan Testing the Car