Can foil and pennies be used to create an energy source?

Question

The reason I ask is foil collects heat. Draw back is it can start fire if the sun shines on it in one spot for to long. Also pennies were used for electric in the old electric fuse boxes. But not fail proof. Some times a penny in the fuse box actually caused fires. I am wondering if the foil is sprayed with black paint would it hold the heat. But not set the fire due to high shine with the sun. People are making heaters with pop cans made of aluminum. Was thinking the foil may do the same. Not really sure.

dooberheim · Answer

Putting a penny in a fuse box was done if one was out of fuses (or had no money to buy them).  The reason fuses blow is because of shorts or other wiring problems, and putting a penny in defeats that protection.  If the short is bad enough it would cause a fire.

Painting aluminum foil (or copper flashing, or any metallic film) black can help it collect thermal energy.  You have to transfer that energy where desired, and this is how a lot of solar hot water collectors work.  The metal is soldered to tubing through with you pass water or air to collect the heat.

Aluminum and copper can form a galvanic couple (battery) with a potential of about 1.8 volts.

DK

Elaine F · Answer

The answer is YES for Can Aluminum foil store electricity?. One can build an energy storage capacitor, using aluminum  foil and a suitable insulator, in the comfort of one's own kitchen.
:)

Can foil and pennies be used to create an energy source?

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