Colloidal Silver Generator Terminology and Definitions

Agglomeration  When particles in a colloidal suspension become too densely packed, some of them will begin to share electron rings with each other and in effect become a larger particle.  The visual effect is that the light is reflected differently from these larger particles and the color begins to shift toward yellow.  As more particles agglomerate, the yellow color becomes more pronounced.  The depth of the color change is an indicator of how much agglomeration has occurred.  With severe agglomeration, the color can become so deep yellow that it may look almost brown.  Colors other than yellow usually indicate the silver has combined with minerals.   Back

Argyria.  A condition caused by ingesting too much silver which is manifested by the skin turning shades of blue or gray.  This condition is caused by ingesting too much silver salts or metallic silver concentrations.  The condition has never been associated with ingesting colloidal silver.   Back

Colloidal silver.  Ionic/Colloidal Silver.    Actually the term is incorrect because the preponderance of silver in the water is in the form of ionic silver which are single atoms of silver which are missing one electron in the outer ring. Since "likes" repel, the ions try to maintain the same distance from each other, this results in a homogenous dispersed solution.  The ions are actually dissolved in the water.  So the mixture is more properly called Ionic/Colloidal silver. 

Colloidal silver is clusters of silver atoms which are submicroscopic in size.  These clusters (colloids) of silver particles are suspended and evenly dispersed throughout the solution.  All the particles stay dispersed by virtue of Brownian motion and their small size.     Back

Current.  Electron flow which is measured in amperes.  Electron flow is proportionate to voltage and inversely proportionate to resistance.  Back

Constant current.  Current flow is kept at a constant value by increasing or decreasing voltage as required to maintain the desired (or preset value) current flow.   In the process of making colloidal silver, the voltage is reduced as the current tries to rise.  This is what keeps the silver particle size constant  Back

Constant voltage.   Voltage is kept at a constant level (typically 27 volts) and current is then proportionate to the resistance in the circuit (silver/water solution).  In a colloidal generation, the current rises dramatically as the increased silver content of the water reduces the resistivity of the water.  Back

Ion.  An atom which has lost or gained one or more of its electrons and is left with a positive or negative charge.   Back

PPM.  Parts per million of a solution.   i.e.: 10 PPM silver means 10 parts silver to 1 million parts water.  This is generally defined as mg/l.  Therefore 1 mg. silver in 1 liter of water is 1 PPM, etc.      Back

Milliampere.  One thousandth of one ampere.  A measure of current flow.  Back

Runaway.  When current flow rises linearly, exponentially or logarithmically.  The net effect is the current rises uncontrollably with time.  Back

Tyndall effect.  The clearly visible path of a beam of light through a colloidal dispersion.  Each of the tiny particles in the dispersion reflects the light and scatters it.  A true solution does not show this effect because a solution consists of dissolved solids or other liquids combined.  Back

Voltage.  A measure of electrical potential or electrical pressure.  Back