Re: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] Conductive ABS -- 3D Printing

I like it! A zinc powder conductive filament for making Mn
'moderately alkaline' negative battery electrodes would complement
carbon fiber positives (NiOOH or KMnO4).

That would really solve a problem, since it seems only zinc has a
high enough hydrogen overvoltage to work as a current collector for
Mn. (The chemistry stretches the limits of attainable voltages to get
highest energy density. In fact, it only works well if you add ~1%
antimony sulfide to the MnO powder to raise the hydrogen overvoltage
of the Mn.)

Since probably nobody's going to make Zn conductive ABS filament
unless they're making these batteries, making it at home might be the
only way.

Craig

=====

>It is called Filabot...
>http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/rocknail/filabot-plastic-filament-maker
>
>I think it has promise, but have discussed with a local group and they
>think that it is not going to be worth the effort... but I think they were
>more hung up on the recycling aspect and therefore the degradation of the
>plastic and how inconsistent the product might be. But, if you used virgin
>plastic pellets to devise your own blend of plastic, that might be a more
>consistent product.
>
>Drew
>
>On Thu, Jul 12, 2012 at 12:40 PM, Gary Crowell
><garyacrowellsr@...> wrote:
>
>> You might want to think about producing your own filament with the mix you
>> want. I don't recall the name but there is a kickstarter project for one
>> in process now. I think it also appears on thingiverse.
>>
>> Gary
>>
> > On Thu, Jul 12, 2012 at 10:14 AM, Craig Carmichael <craig@...>
> > wrote:
>>
>> > **
>> >
>> >
>> > 3D Printing is called "additive machining", where material is being
>> > added to the workpiece rather than removed.
>> >
>> > I've ordered a Reprap Huxley complete kit from reprappro.com . It or
>> > the Reprap Mendel kit is under 1000$. Also I've seen "Ultimaker" and
>> > "solid doodle" "solidoodle"(?) which might be worth checking out.
>> > Evidently all stem from the original 2007 Reprap which the inventor
>> > made open source and put everything on line at www.reprap.org.
>> >
>> > Now...
>> >
>> > Has anyone used conductive ABS filament (w. carbon fiber)?
>> > Has anyone seen a source to buy it on line?
>> >
>> > I think conductive ABS battery electrode pockets with tiny pores on
>> > the face(s) - sort of microporous or a bit bigger - to let the
>> > electrolyte through but keep the compacted chemical powder enclosed
>> > should make for an absolute revolution in homemade alkaline
>> > batteries. I might even say make them 'possible', or at least
>> > 'practical'.
>> >
>> > (I already have an improved chemistry that works - "MnMn" -
>> > permanganate-manganese in 'moderately alkaline' electrolyte, about
>> > 2.2 volts. Dirt cheap stuff with the energy density of lithium ion.
>> > See in recent issues of Turquoise Energy News:
> > > http://www.saers.com/recorder/craig/TurquoiseEnergyNews/
> > > That doesn't mean I've been able to make decent batteries, but I've
>> > tried out the ABS pockets idea at a local prototyping facility, and
>> > I'm very much looking forward to the arrival of the printer.)
>> >
>> > Carbon fiber should be great for the positive electrodes. For the Mn
>> > negative electrodes, ABS made conductive with zinc powder would be
>> > ideal. So far I've been using strips of zinc (cut from dry cells) or
>> > zinc plated pieces.
>> >
>> > Coarseness of part resolution for the pockets isn't much of an issue,
>> > tho it is for the case and one-way valve (no leaks - keep air out). I
>> > plan to dip the valves briefly in methylene chloride to flow the
>> > plastic a bit, to smooth them and make sure they don't leak. At
>> > least, that's my present plan.
>> >
>> > Cheers,
> > > Craig