Bill Kingsbury wrote: > My understanding is that ppm testing is only meaningful if the > particle *size* is in the desired range. > > If true, CS particle size testing would need to be done first, or > in conjunction with, the ppm testing. I think this requires access > to electron microscopy, or a similar accurate test. (How much does > a surplus electron microscope sell for ?)
You are right. In addition to ppm testing we need to assess the distribution of particle size under different process conditions. We've got a couple of folks who are ready to try optical microscopy of CS samples. That's another effort that will bear fruit soon, I hope. If we can come up with even a low end electron microscope it would be pretty *damn* cool!! <grin> This is all part of my program to place as many different tools at our disposal as possible. I'd like at least a few simple tests to be doable in-house, quickly and at low cost. At least if we can measure ppm and particle size we're better prepared to choose samples to submit for more rigorous and costly testing. > With regards to 'purity', some types of analytical chemistry > testing should be able to determine which types of silver > compounds are present. (Some type of spectrography should work, > also.) If several silver compounds are present (mixed together), > there is also the issue of the need(?) for determining the amounts > (ppm) of each. Right again. And this type of testing can get expensive enough to justify purchasing equipment and doing it ourselves in some cases. Whatever happens, we *are* going to have to study all of these aspects in order to do it right. And I know I will need help finding out just what tests are available and what they're good for. However, don't forget that perfectly good results have been had using these simple CS systems and a variety of commercial products. So the good news is, people don't have to wait 'til we know every possible thing about CS to benefit from it. We're trying to better understand something that already works, in hopes of improving it, maybe, and eliminating any doubts about it's safety. > I believe it should be a priority to find a CS production protocol > to minimize or entirely eliminate any unwanted compounds, > regardless of their characteristics -- while being able to do a > simple check of the 'overall' CS purity. It would be a good first step just to be able to understand the operation of the electrolytic cell in these systems. We ought to be able to predict the final ppm and particle size distribution from features such as electrode area and spacing and current flow. And since certain simple CS generator designs are the most popular, there is virtue in finding out how they work and what they are making, both with an eye toward improvement, and to help verify that they work as advertised. Detailed elemental analysis, by spectroscopy or whatever method, will be a good check on the sensitivity of the system to contaminants and variations in processing. On the other hand, it seems pretty hard to make a CS that doesn't work, so it may not need to be our *first* priority. One thing we want to do is create a simple, well tested design and formula for new people to use that will yield predictable results every time. The more we can characterize that product, then the more confidence people will have to try it. > Then we'd be able to do our two main tests for CS ppm and > (the range of) CS particle sizes. If we have adequate tests for ppm and particle size we can do quickly *in house* then they can be our first line of analysis. If it doesn't work out that way, then we have to choose our testing methodology based on the best use of our time and resources. I would like to see someone cataloguing all the possible testing techniques with their purpose, utility, cost, turnaround time, and availabilty. Then we can make sensible choices how to analyse what we're doing. > Maybe Bruce Marx <[email protected]> would be willing > to share some insights from his experiences in testing his > HVAC colloidal silver. He has some useful info at: > http://csprosystems.com/TechNotespg.htm > > We could collect a concise list of questions for Bruce. I'm game if you are, Bill! I'd be glad for input from anybody who wants to help. I know we've got enough skill and talent on this list to do this research program successfully. Deciding what to do is one of the biggest jobs. Thanks, Bill. Please respond to my comments and let me know what you think. Be well, Mike D. [Mike Devour, Citizen, Patriot, Libertarian] [[email protected] ] [Speaking only for myself... ] -- The silver-list is a moderated forum for discussion of colloidal silver. To join or quit silver-list or silver-digest send an e-mail message to: [email protected] -or- [email protected] with the word subscribe or unsubscribe in the subject: line. To post, address your message to: [email protected] List maintainer: Mike Devour <[email protected]>
