A few years ago, I got to thinking about cars rusting away - which is (or used to be) a big problem in Europe. Anyway - it has been festering away in my mind for a long time, and I happened to mention my theories about cathodic protection based on the principles of 'Sacrificial Anodes' as used on ships etc. - to one of the guests at my son Cameron’s christening party - a man called Peter Inward.
I got to know about this method of protecting the hulls of ships by the addition of zinc or magnesium anodes beneath the waterline, when I had vessels of my own. I actually welded zinc anodes to the hull of the North Westward Ho myself when I was down in Cornwall fitting her out in the early sixties. " Well", I thought - "If ships - why not cars?".
I did a few experiments, bought a Multimeter, and did some measurements of electrolytic differentials, current flow etc. Peter Inward was very impressed with my idea, which I had named provisionally 'The Magic Bullet'. My idea was that you go into an Auto Supplies Store (We say 'Motor Accessory Shop,) and buy a piece of zinc or magnesium and bolt it on to you vehicle - on the exhaust system for example - The Magic Bullet corrodes instead of the car! At least it is supposed to in my imagination.
Anyway, I have fixed up a meeting with a Professor of metallurgy at Manchester University for the 22nd of this month. I will ask his opinion - which will probable be negative - because he didn't think of it first! The whole thing hinges on whether or not the mixture of Oxygen/Water/Salt that we get on European roads in the wintertime provides a concentrated enough electrolyte to enable the exchange of ions from the anode to the cathode. A local man Peter Inward has promised to provide all the money for research & development' and the' marketing' of the product in exchange for 50% of the shares in any future company.
I have agreed to this in order to get things off the ground. To be honest, I don't hold out much hope for any success - but if I didn't try it - then I'd only live to regret it in old age.
If it was successful of course, I will be a multi-millionaire! I take these things with a piece of salt. Ce sera sera! Whatever will be will be! Nonada so, ya lo creo!
Of course, I have sent off patent protection forms to hedge my bets - but it is all a waste of time and effort I think! I will keep you updated as to progress or lack of progress as things happen - but I wouldn't waste any nights sleep over it - because I certainly shall not.
However, for the time being - don't tell anyone about it please - just in case! |
