Licking a 9 Volt Battery

SparkFun engineer Shawn breaks down the science behind the tingling sensation you get when licking a 9 volt battery.

 

Generating electricity from viruses

Berkeley Lab's Seung-Wuk Lee discusses "Generating electricity from viruses" in this Oct. 28, 2013 talk, which is part of a Science at the Theater event entitled Eight Big Ideas.

 

How to Turn Sound Into Light: Sonoluminescence

Another awesome thing the Mantis Shrimp does...

 

The Pain of Electricity (AC versus DC)

Have you always wondered if you shocked yourself with electricity, which type of electricity would hurt more: AC (Alternating Current) or DC (Direct Current)? Wait no more!

 

Animal Magnetism: How Animals Navigate

Hank tells us about new research into the question of how animals navigate from place to place - while the problem is still unresolved, we do have some hypotheses, and they all involve something called "magnetoreception."

Other Sci-Show videos

X-Ray Diffraction of DNA

Explanation of the technique used by Rosalind Franklin to observe the double helix.

Virus-based piezoelectric energy generator

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory scientists have developed a way to generate power using harmless viruses that convert mechanical energy into electricity. The milestone could lead to tiny devices that harvest electrical energy from the vibrations of everyday tasks. The first part of the video shows how Berkeley Lab scientists harness the piezoelectric properties of the virus to convert the force of a finger tap into electricity. The second part reveals the "viral-electric" generators in action, first by pressing only one of the generators, then by pressing two at the same time, which produces more current.

More info.

Ohm's law tutorial: Physics for neuroscience and cardiac physiology

Easy to learn this basic physics concept. Electrical physics/engineering, has much in common with neuroscience/cardiophysiology.

Angela Belcher: Using nature to grow batteries

Inspired by an abalone shell, Angela Belcher programs viruses to make elegant nanoscale structures that humans can use. Selecting for high-performing genes through directed evolution, she's produced viruses that can construct powerful new batteries, clean hydrogen fuels and record-breaking solar cells. At TEDxCaltech, she shows us how it's done. Angela Belcher looks to nature for inspiration on how to engineer viruses to create extraordinary new materials.

Other TED Talks