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What would I do with 500 lbs. of potatoes? Feed the hungry? Yeah right. I’d build a massive battery that generates 5 volts and 4 milliamperes.

Batteries work by allowing electrons to pass from one electrode to another. In this case the potato provides phosphoric acid, which enables a chemical reaction causing electrons flow from copper to zinc. The zinc came from galvanized nails and copper came from small pieces of copper. You don’t have to use potatoes; any acidic medium such as citrus fruit will work. I chose potatoes because they are traditional and cheap.

Hopefully this doesn’t become a trend. We don’t want another Irish Potato Famine.

-HENRY

Link [Hat Tip: Cynical-C]

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