Chizhevsky chandelier - what kind of device is it?
Why does “holy water” help improve health and “pump up” the immune system? It's all about the silver. When the liquid is blessed, a silver cross is immersed in it. Silver ions are formed, which saturate the water and subsequently have a beneficial effect on the human body. What if we saturate air, not water, with ions? Will this be useful? Research shows yes. It was for the ionization of air that a device was invented, which is called the “Chizhevsky chandelier”.
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Where do the legs of the ionizer come from: historical background
Soviet biophysicist Alexei Chizhevsky was engaged in research into the effects of positive and negative ions in the air on the human body.
The scientist gave the ions of the atmosphere the sonorous name “aeroions”. For a full-fledged experimental study, he created a device - an “aeroionizer”. A small electrical device saturated the surrounding air with negative oxygen ions.
It was Chizhevsky who in 1983 proposed an elegant and small-sized design that was attached to the ceiling in the manner of a chandelier and could be used both at home and in medical institutions.
Of course, the modern version of the “Chizhevsky chandelier” is not very similar to its “elder brother,” but it uses the same operating principle, and therefore it received its name from its father-inventor.
What does the Chizhevsky chandelier consist of?
The design is simple and does not change over time. This:
- ceiling mount;
- insulator;
- metal rim-frame;
- metal grid;
- cable to a high voltage power source.
Visually, Chizhevsky’s chandelier can look like anything and fit into a variety of interiors. The metal mesh can be located below, on the side, thick wire strands can be bent upward, visually resembling a sphere. The classic device is attached to the ceiling, but now there are also miniature models on sale that can be placed on bedside tables and tables.
Only the operating principle remains unchanged.
The principle of operation of the Chizhevsky chandelier
The essence of the ionizer is the effect of high voltage current on metal or water. As a result, the air is saturated with negatively charged particles, and they precisely have an effect on the human body (what exactly this effect is - negative or positive - is a separate question).
The traditional mechanism is this: bacteria floating in the air, from the point of view of physics, are positively charged. The negative ion “attaches” to them and the entire bunch sinks lower to the floor. A person does not inhale harmful substances. A kind of disinfecting effect is obtained, the air is purified and refreshed, and there is even an illusion that there is a reservoir somewhere nearby.
A chandelier works the same way. The cable supplies the rim with high voltage current. It “runs” along the wire, “knocking out” charged particles. As a result, oxygen molecules become charged with negative ions.
Is Chizhevsky's invention useful? The question is controversial. The scientist himself conducted research and experiments, and spoke about an undoubted positive effect.
On the other hand, the experiments were carried out incorrectly and are traditionally not accepted by official science. Perhaps the benefits of the chandelier are just a placebo effect, or maybe this question is still awaiting inquisitive researchers.
What other air ionizers are there?
The Chizhevsky chandelier is a corona charge ionizer, but there are other types of devices:
- Ultraviolet. When turned on, a huge number of ozone and nitric oxide molecules are formed in a short time, which eliminates any attempts at physiological use (the dose is too large for the human body). But such ionizers were excellent at disinfecting rooms (these are quartz lamps that still exist today).
- Hydroionizers. Fine water dust was charged with negative ions. In Soviet times, they were widely used in sanatoriums. They still exist in the form of medical aerosols.
- Radiotope. The operating principle is used in modern smoke detectors.
Chizhevsky's chandelier is a controversial but interesting invention. Whether to buy it or not is up to you. Although the scientist himself believed that using all other ionizers (except those using corona discharge) was harmful, research shows the opposite.
On store shelves you can now find not only metal chandeliers, but also small electrical appliances that can be placed on a bedside table or shelf.
Chizhevsky is a physicist and historian. His lamp is probably of little use. He received a lot of money for it, and that’s probably why he sat down. He also did electro-painting - it’s cooler than a lamp. His book - Physical factors of the historical process is still relevant, minus solar rhythms.