On voltaic combinations. In a letter addressed to Michael Faraday. . .. with: Additional observations on voltaic combinations. In a letter addressed to Michael Faraday. . .. In: Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London. For the year MDCCCXXXVI, Vol. 126, Part I. by DANIELL, John Frederic (1790-1845) - 1836

London:: Richard Taylor, 1836., 1836. 304 x 242 mm. 4to. Pages 107-124; 125-129. [Entire volume: xii, (1)-20, 49-215, [1 blank], [4], 571-616 pp.] Tables in the first article; 2 engraved plates accompany the second article. Early green cloth (ca. 1909), printed paper spine label, original plain blue wrappers bound in; lightly rubbed. Bookplate of the Plainfield Public Library, Plainfield, New Jersey, rubber stamps on edges. Very good. "Research in the new field of current electricity was at this time hindered by the rapid decline in power of the voltaic cell when in use, because of 'reverse polarization.' Investigating the standard zinc-copper battery, he found that the decline in power was caused by the liberation of hydrogen gas on the copper plate during electrolysis. In an 1836 Philosophical Transactions paper he therefore proposed a new form of apparatus (known familiarly as the Daniell cell) to prevent such liberation and thus maintain a continuous and even current. In this apparatus the zinc and its attendant dilute sulfuric acid are separated from the opposite copper electrode and a solution of copper sulfate by a porous barrier, such as a piece of ox gullet. This arrangement effectively prevents the formation of hydrogen gas at the copper electrode and thus enables the battery to function unimpaired for long periods of time. The use of such cells, often coupled together in long chains to give a large electromotive force, gave great impetus to research in all branches of current electricity and also led to commercial application in gilding, electroplating, and glyphography." DSB. John Daniell was one of the most distinguished scientists of the nineteenth century. Daniell is best-known for his work in meteorology, chemistry and electricity, and his technical ingenuity and inventions. Daniell was first professor of chemistry at King's College when it was established in 1831 and devoted the rest of this days to teaching and developing careful and elaborate experimental illustrations for his lectures. His invention of the constant battery, universally known by his name, garnered Daniell the Copley Medal of the Royal Society in 1836. His papers on voltaic combinations won him the Royal Society medal in 1842. REFERENCES: DNB, V, p. 483; DSB, III, p. 556-558; Haskell Norman Library 579 (offprint); Honeyman Sale 821 (offprint); Ihde, The development of modern chemistry, p. 469; Partington, History of chemistry, IV, pp. 127, 685; Poggendorf, I, col. 519; Wheeler Gift Catalogue 2704 (six letters).