Theory of corrosion for engineers

Fostering Innovation through an Active Learning Activity Inspired by the Baghdad Battery

“…(3) Highlight to students the difference between an electromotive series (standard reduction half potentials) and a Galvanic series. 16 As it can be observed from Table 1, the calculated values from the electromotive series, which is a calculation from the standard reduction half reaction potentials (1 M, 1 atm, 298 K), indicate the trend of Sn < Fe < Zn < Al. However, the values measured through the Baghdad battery, which was not under standard reduction conditions, provide a slightly different trend: Sn < Fe < Al < Zn.…”

“…Replicas of the Baghdad battery were utilized in a classroom setting to Demonstrate to students the simple dynamics involved in harnessing electrochemical energy by coupling the device to a multipurpose meter in DC mode to measure both voltage and current values. However, the instructor may replace the multipurpose meter with a data logger connected to a laptop attached to a projector to demonstrate voltage stability curves and current discharge characteristics of the electrochemical cell. Introduce students to the concept of a corrosion cell driven by environmental factors (e.g., pH, humidity, salinity) since from an electrochemical standpoint the Baghdad battery is a galvanic corrosion cell whereby the Fe corrosion process at the anode highly influences its power output. Highlight to students the difference between an electromotive series (standard reduction half potentials) and a Galvanic series …”

“…Highlight to students the difference between an electromotive series (standard reduction half potentials) and a Galvanic series …”

“…The voltaic device consists of Cu and Al electrodes immersed in rice wine, which functions as the electrolytic solution. The active learning activity highlights the historical context of charge storage devices, which is used as an educational tool for fostering "outside-the-box" thinking in the students, 16 as well as encouraging team collaboration. This classroom active learning activity was developed with incoming university students in mind, though it can be applied to first-year university students.…”

Cathodic protection using a photovoltaic source

“…Direct a light source at the photovoltaic cell. Within minutes, evidence of the corrosion process appears, as follows (5,6). The demonstration shows that the photovoltaic cell clearly maintains the two electrodes as separate anodic and cathodic sites, thereby affording cathodic protection to one electrode.…”