One Boiled Potato Can Light Up a Bulb for 40 Days

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We all love eating potatoes. But did you know potatoes can also power a lightbulb? Yes, potatoes are not just tasty; they can be a source of energy too!

The Science Behind Potato Power

A research team at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem has been studying “potato power” for years. Their goal is to provide potato-powered energy to rural communities without access to electricity.

Haim Rabinowitch, a researcher, claims that one potato can power enough LED lamps to light an entire room for 40 days. This could be a game-changer for many people.

How Does It Work?

This concept is taught in high school science classes. According to the BBC, to make a battery from organic material, you need two metals. An anode, which is a negative electrode like zinc, and a cathode, the positive electrode like copper. The acid inside the potato reacts with the zinc and copper. When electrons flow from one material to another, energy is released.

A Historical Perspective

This discovery isn’t new. In 1780, Luigi Galvani first found out about this power. But the researchers in Jerusalem have taken it further. They boiled the potatoes for eight minutes, breaking down the organic tissues. This allowed the electrons to move more freely, creating more energy.

Potential Uses

“It’s low voltage energy,” says Rabinowitch. But it’s enough to make a battery that could charge mobile phones or laptops in places without a power grid.

Why Isn’t Potato Energy More Common?

There are several reasons why potato energy isn’t widely used. One concern is that it might limit our food supplies. Another reason is that not enough people know about this type of energy.