Salt water energy
Salt water energy is a claimed, but not yet proven, method of extracting energy from salt water. According to a September 9 article in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, John Kanzius, of Erie, Pennsylvania, was able to extract hydrogen from salt water by using radio frequencies. According to the article, Rustum Roy, a Penn State University chemist, verified the process. However, Professor Roy is not sure if the reaction releases a net amount of energy or not. [1]
Assessment of net gain So Professor Roy's experiment was inconclusive as to the net energy gain. If the micro wave supply is rated at 1kW and the flame size indicates around 100W, that would amount to minus 90% profit in the given configuration.
Improving efficiency Assuming that we're watching Electrolysisin a fairly roundabout way, we can improve efficiency. Using a DC supply of 50W, and adjusting the selinity and spacing of electrodes to 8A, we can get the same flame size and thus improve the net gain to minus 75%. The best part is that while reducing the source energy requirement with 60%, it also reduces the setup cost to a fraction.
Potential use Now we're on our way to free energy. All we need is a steady supply of free electricity or free microwave energy, then we can convert it to a small flame, suitable for driving a steam engine.
Suggested improvements We can do even better: Just stick a 300W light bulb in front of your micro wave source, keeping enough distance so we don't exceed 300W. Now we've improved output by 200%, increasing the microwave to heat conversion process to a net gain of minus 70%. And the bulb will be quite a sight, if we slip it closer to the source and eventually burn it out in a great flash around 600W.
(Insert pictures please, somebody with strong lab skills)
(Please verify calculations, somebody with strong chemistry knowledge)