Electrophore machine made from CD

An electrophore machine assembled from CDs and 2 coolers. Produces about 20,000 Volts, which is limited by the distance of the gaps between the plates of the disk capacitors. Photos and description of assembly. Easily repeatable device.

I took 2 CD-R disks (it’s quite easy to clean the storage media layer from them) and peeled them off the coating, after which I degreased them with alcohol. Then I cut sectors from aluminum tape, which is used to seal ventilation, and glued them onto the disks (Fig. 1 It is not a problem to buy such adhesive tape on the construction market. Next, I took 2 coolers from the computer’s UPS, although any others could be used, and cut out the motors from them, biting off the impeller blades so as not to interfere with the brushes of the electrophore machine. The disks are secured to the engines using double-sided tape.

The distance between the disks should be as small as possible; the efficiency of the machine depends on this. The brush holders are made of copper wire d = 1 mm and the brushes themselves are made of stranded wire, MGTF is well suited. Starting the car....If the brushes are positioned correctly and provided that they touch the disk plates, the machine immediately generates voltage when the engines start. But this will not last long and a gap will appear between the brush and the pads... no problem. To start, you must either manually lightly press the brushes or charge the discs with an electrified object (for example, a comb).