Flat transformers  (flattransformer.com)

They have a limitation of fifteen volts, but yield an easy way to
build a 300kHz to 1 MHz switcher.  A diode pair clamps to the same steel
flat
plate that makes part of the magnetic circuit. Switching supply makers
are moving to them quick...lowest cost/performance yet.

Still driving a one volt cell is going to put a
chunk of the lost power into the diodes!  Get the lowest drop dides you can,
but also look at the process...put balanced current handling cells in series
to avoid that waste.  You would need to apportion the number of anodes in
each.

So, are you going into the green etching business now? Or are you just
going to burn the diode drop energy needed to convert wall power
to 1V cell driving power?  You say it would take a while to plate out of
the etcher bath?  What about a PV cell?  No extra diode drop at all...just
set up
a PIC to tilt your MAIN diodes away from the sun if the volts get too high!

Think about what else might accomplish the overall
objective and leave the etchers with just decorative finish work to do....

What about taking a prepared board with metal bits suspended in a water
washoff
binder.  Laser sinter the conductive paths.  soak and wash.  Dry.
Have a vision system with laser look it over and ablate
away any bits of metal lying around between traces.  Laser cut that board
outline
and let a tester handler arm grab it.  Repeat visual check, blast, cut steps
till the whole panel of circuits is done.

With the above scenario, the particle copper could be recycled easily and
completely by the blank board maker.  The fumes would be like high
temp incineration fumes (CO2+H2O).  The board needs to survive washing
briefly
and solder, so it could be some biodegradable celluloid like movie film was
made of
at first.

Copper melts pretty hot(1150 deg C)...other metals might be good
too for laser sintering into paths, maybe even aluminum...it's solderable
with zinc.  Or pure tin.  It's expensive, but you'd waste a lot less, and
reclaim easy.  There's a catch.  What would stick the particles on good,
still stick
after molten metal, and wash off easy?  Traces might not adhere easy.

Oh well,

who said technology innovating was easy?

John Griessen
Austin TX
> -----Original Message-----
Obviously a larger surface electrode is needed to allow more current flow.

But now there's the problem of an efficient, high current, low voltage
power supply.

Anyone got any ideas on how to efficiently generate 1 A @ 1 V?