SciShow Tangents

Batteries

Nov 14, 2023

The hosts discuss batteries and their various uses, including experiments using snails as living batteries and creating batteries using crab shells. They also talk about national parks, battery age, and the concept of edible batteries. Additionally, they explore different types of batteries and innovative energy storage methods, as well as microbial batteries that extract energy from sewage waste.

48:32

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Quick takeaways

Scientists have developed an edible battery made from safe and eco-friendly materials as a proof of concept for safer battery technology.

Platypuses possess electroreceptive ability, using their bills to detect electricity and locate prey.

Thermal batteries and redox flow batteries are the most promising technologies for grid-scale storage.

Deep dives

Edible Batteries: A Safer Alternative

Scientists in Milan have developed an edible battery made from materials found in almonds, riboflavin, activated charcoal, nori, and beeswax. This rechargeable battery operates at 48 microamperes for 10 minutes and can power an LED light for that duration. While not intended for intentional consumption, this battery serves as a proof of concept for safer and eco-friendly battery technology. Researchers are also working on edible transistors to create fully edible electronics for various applications.

Introduction

4min

Batteries: From Basics to Biological

19min

The Crab Battery and Other Battery Applications

2min

National Parks and Parks Project

8min

Battery Age and Edible Batteries

17min

Exploring Different Types of Batteries and Innovative Energy Storage Methods

5min

Microbial Battery: Extracting Energy from Sewage Waste

2min

Click here to check out the limited-time-only Tangents t-shirt inspired by this episode! https://store.dftba.com/products/shirt-of-the-month-shrimp-battery

Batteries are all around us, in things we use all the time, and in all different shapes and sizes, so of course we know exactly how they all work, right? Nope! Not even close! The bizarre breadth of our battery banter includes Ben Franklin, tiny computers, and...shrimp?

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[Trivia Question]

Oxford Electric Bell battery lifespan

https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/52147/what%E2%80%99s-world%E2%80%99s-longest-running-science-experiment

https://archwww.physics.ox.ac.uk/history/Exhibit1.html

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/mystery-continuously-functioning-battery-1840-180954028/

https://x.com/UniofOxford/status/1610593348464640001?s=20

[Fact Off]

Edible battery for sustainability (and maybe child safety)

https://academic.oup.com/jimb/article/45/5/313/5996662