Abstract
The possibility of deriving electrical energy from an organic reaction proceeding irreversibly in one half-element of a cell seems so unlikely on general grounds that an attempt has been made to repeat the observations recorded by Prof. Potter under the above title in Nature of April 11. Briefly, Prof. Potter found that if the cell is short-circuited, no current passes; if, however, zinc is placed in the acid out of contact with the electrode, copper is deposited on the right-hand electrode so long as the zinc continues to dissolve. He further found that, if the acid is replaced by 15 per cent sugar solution and the cell is short-circuited, copper is deposited on the electrode as soon as yeast is added to the sugar solution, but not before. Prof. Potter also found that a primary cell (capable of electrolysing copper sulphate solution) is obtained from the combination the electrode in the fermenting half of the cell being negative. Observations were further recorded in which the decay of lawn mowings and other organic matter was made to produce electrolysis.
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WOLFENDEN, J. Measurement of the Electricity Liberated during the Downgrade Reactions of Organic Compounds. Nature 128, 69 (1931). https://doi.org/10.1038/128069a0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/128069a0
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