Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 17, 2026

A Rapid Synthesis Method for Au, Pd, and Pt Aerogels Via Direct Solution-Based Reduction
Published on: June 18, 2018
Spark-generating properties of electrode gels used during defibrillation. A potential fire hazard
R S Hummel1, J P Ornato, S M Weinberg
1Division of Biomedical Engineering, Medical College of Virginia, Richmond 23298.
Abstract:
After a defibrillation attempt started a fire in an oxygen-enriched intensive care unit environment, seven popular electrode gels were tested for spark-generating properties by repeated 360-J electrical discharges into a 50-omega test load. Gels with low initial impedance (7 +/- 1 omega) allowed a high current flow (51 +/- 1 A), maintained a cool temperature (27 degrees C to 33 degrees C), and did not spark. Gels with high initial impedance (125 +/- 14 omega) allowed less current (26 +/- 2 A), heated to 52 degrees C +/- 2 degrees C, liquified, and generated an electrical spark after the fourth or fifth discharge. Federal standards should be developed to identify and label electrode gels that can be used safely for high-current applications such as defibrillation.
Related Concept Videos
Voltaic/Galvanic Cells
Spontaneous redox reactions occur abundantly in nature. The chemical reaction occurring in a disposable AA battery powering our remote controls is one such example of a spontaneous redox reaction. Another example is the immersion of coiled copper wire into an aqueous silver nitrate solution. The reaction shows a gradual, visually impressive color change from colorless to bright blue and the formation of a grey precipitate on the copper wire. In this experiment,...
Batteries and Fuel Cells
Electrodeposition
Electrodeposition can...
The Electrical Double Layer
Processes at Electrodes

