Part 5/10:
Paul emphasized the importance of safety, citing the dangers of hydrochloric acid, which can cause severe burns and blindness.
Surface Treatment and Oxidation Layer
After etching, the plates were rinsed, dried, and dipped again in a salt and vinegar solution to create an oxidized surface layer—giving the plates a greenish hue reminiscent of the Statue of Liberty. This oxide layer was intended to enhance energy collection by increasing the surface's ionic interactions and spike-like features.