How to Make Watt Solar Cells
- 1). Use the metal sheers to cut a piece of copper flashing about the size of the hot plate's burner.
- 2). Thoroughly wash your hands and the copper flashing with soap and water. Scrub the copper flash paper with the wire brush (or coarse sand paper) to remove any sulphide or corrosion.
- 3). Dry the copper flashing and place is on the burner. Turn the burner to high and heat the copper flashing so that it oxidizes. You will see hues of red, orange and purple appear on the surface of the flashing. Eventually, the flashing will begin to turn black as it becomes coated in cupric oxide.
- 4). Once the oxide starts forming, continue to cook the copper flashing for about 30 more minutes. When the flashing is completely black and covered with cupric oxide, turn the burner off and allow the copper flashing to cool down completely. Do not remove the flashing from the burner to cool it, as it is better for it to cool down slowly with the burner.
- 5). Once the flashing is completely cool, scrape off any remaining cupric oxide. Do not scrub the copper flashing roughly or bend it.
- 6). Cut another piece of copper flashing the same size as the oxidized piece. Bend the plates carefully so that you can fit them inside the jar. They should be placed in the jar on opposite sides so that they are not touching.
- 7). Create a solution of salt water and fill the jar about one-third of the way. The solution should be a mixture of approximately one tablespoon of salt for every cup of water.
- 8). Attach a positive lead to the pristine piece of copper flashing and then connect it to the positive pole on the microammeter. Attach a negative lead to the oxidized piece of copper flashing and then to the negative pole of the microammeter.
- 9). Place the jar in direct sunlight and you will be able to observe micro-amps of current on the microammeter.
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