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From Crystals to Currents: The Pizoelectric Effect
May 01, 2024 • EPISODE 220
Do you know about the magical property of quartz crystals? In this episode of ScienceLIVE, Roger Billings uncovers the science of the piezoelectric effect—how crystals generate electricity under pressure—and explains how this groundbreaking discovery paved the way for the Billings Computer and numerous advancements in electronics and energy.

About DrB
Dr. Roger Billings is a visionary innovator whose work has touched the lives of millions of students and transformed the landscape of education. Widely known as “DrB” to the countless kids who benefit from his groundbreaking Acellus learning system, Dr. Billings has dedicated his life to advancing education through technology.
As part of DrB’s lifelong commitment to supporting education, Science LIVE was launched as a way to “give back” by mentoring students in conjunction with the Roger Billings Scholarship Program.
Read more about DrB »
About the Roger Billings Scholarship Program »
Are the crystals worth anything?
This was my favorite so far.
WOW! 😳 I can’t wait to tell my family this! So interesting
What country is quartz found in the most?
Does the size of the crystal determine how much energy it has?
It is interesting to learn how many things are invented when pursuing an idea.
The Piezoelectric effect is so interesting in many ways!
Can you only find crystals in caves.
So many amazing things to learn about!
are there other habitable planets?
Man, the Piezoelectric effect is so cool! I might just buy a small crystal so I can try this experiment at home!
do crystals melt.
I know you make good stuff.
Yeah I learned a lot about steam engines 👍👍🤩😎
I learned a lot this hour. I think it was fair that George won the steam engine contest since it was his invention. As for the Quarts Crystal, I am in Arkansas and can get some. It is amazing it can create electricity and in some cases a spark. I learned a lot. Thank Dr. B and Congrats Pajet
I love this Show 😀
I learn a lot 😁
I love science live 😎😄😎😄😎
I can’t wait to learn more
This is the first time hearing about the Pizoelectric Effect.
I am learning much about so many topics.
Science! Let’s go!
This is a really intersting episode.
Will my daughter get credit for watching late? She goes to bed fairly early
I Love Acellus
It is amazing that my 🤯🤯🤯
I like how r.51 made his energy thing Pajet.
cool =⁆(✿◡‿◡)❤
This video was cool.
What are the other types of crystals that can generate electricity?
wow
I think my mom has quartz idk how to spell it
nice video
I really liked this video. Science is cool!
Believe it or not but, did you know that there are actually certain glowing fungi that have the pizoelectric effect and, that certain crystal that have the pizoelectric effect make coloring sparks when broken?
Like Dr. Billings says, Study Hard!
I’m still learning about crystals and supersaturated solutions. I hope someday, in the future, I can be NASA scientist. Here are some 3 guides to become a scientist:
1. Read. Study. Research. Experiments.
2. I recommend using your own words, especially if you are writing an informative research text for science.
3. Ask questions like why, when, where, what, how, and who.
Why does the quartz only resonate at 40 kilohertz
I was wondering if quartz crystals could be used for the purpose of energy production. Maybe, if there are any phenomena that tend to create a lot of impact force, like waterfalls, quartz crystals could be positioned to absorb it and turn it into energy. Or maybe electric cars can use them in their suspension systems to charge their batteries.
This video was amazing!
this was so cool
This Pizoelectric video was absolutely awesome, I never heard such great information before. Nice!!!!!
I wonder how they got all the parts for the trains. Interesting video.
It’s so cool how the crystals work!
I have a few quartz crystals. I might try what DrB did
Hi how are you the pizoelectric video was good
I learned a lot from this video. I didn’t know that you could get electricity out of quarts crystals! I think that is amazing. I have a couple of questions. Are there any other natural materials that have the pizoelectric effect, besides quarts crystals? Also, if you banged two quarts crystals together so each let off their electric charge, would anything special happen? Do their energies crash into each other and make opposing forces? Or do they just flow the same way and you get one charge?
I liked the electricity