At 09:14 PM 10/14/99 -0400, you wrote:
>I've looked a little more into the question of recycling ferric chloride

>Anyone got any ideas on how to efficiently generate 1 A @ 1 V?
>Robert A. LaBudde, PhD, PAS, Dpl. ACAFS  e-mail: ral@lcfltd.com

I assume the key word here is efficiency.
For 1 volt DC output efficiency can be a problem, since most power comes from th
e wall in the form of AC, and when rectified, there is a 0.7 volt (or more) drop
 across standard PN rectifiers.  Use a Transformer with a 3-Volt center-tapped s
econdary, along with Schottky diodes for low voltage drop across the diodes. Wit
h the center tap arrangement, there is only one diode is in series with the load
, versus two if you use a bridge rectifier arrangement.

Next level:  Build a 110VAC to 1V switcher, use 'flat-transformer' technology fo
r 98% or better efficiency. With this type transformer, there is almost zero lea
kage inductance, so almost no losses from snubbers, etc. in the primary.  On the
 secondary, be sure to use Power Mosfets as synchronous rectifiers, so that ON r
esistance is perhaps .05 Ohms when they conduct and diode losses are virtually n
on-existent.  In other words, you drive the Mosfets on only when the diode they
replace is supposed to conduct.  Terrific efficiency.  Output voltage or current
 is easy to control depending on the feedback circuit used.  We are talking 98%
efficiency here with 1.0 volts out, scalable to almost any power level.
   Regards,
     Ron Fial