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.


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29 Comments

  1. Colton

    I liked the electricity

    Reply
  2. Fenra Acellus Student

    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?

    Reply
  3. William ray

    Hi how are you the pizoelectric video was good

    Reply
  4. Josiah Alkire

    I have a few quartz crystals. I might try what DrB did

    Reply
  5. Alyssa

    It’s so cool how the crystals work!

    Reply
  6. LilyJane Davis

    I wonder how they got all the parts for the trains. Interesting video.

    Reply
  7. J.L.A.

    This Pizoelectric video was absolutely awesome, I never heard such great information before. Nice!!!!!

    Reply
  8. Joseph Mancine

    this was so cool

    Reply
  9. Selena

    This video was amazing!

    Reply
  10. Elexi Harris

    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.

    Reply
  11. Max McCall

    Why does the quartz only resonate at 40 kilohertz

    Reply
  12. Luna Selene Benard

    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.

    Reply
  13. Luna Selene Benard

    Like Dr. Billings says, Study Hard!

    Reply
  14. Jean A.

    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?

    Reply
  15. Liam steiner

    I really liked this video. Science is cool!

    Reply
  16. Suzi Steiner

    nice video

    Reply
  17. Azlynn

    I think my mom has quartz idk how to spell it

    Reply
  18. Isabella Wilds

    wow

    Reply
  19. Owen Stokes

    What are the other types of crystals that can generate electricity?

    Reply
  20. Jada R. S. Pace-Kitchen

    This video was cool.

    Reply
  21. zoe

    cool =⁆(✿◡‿◡)❤

    Reply
  22. Nylah McMillan

    I like how r.51 made his energy thing Pajet.

    Reply
  23. Andrew

    It is amazing that my 🤯🤯🤯

    Reply
  24. Ava Cleveland

    I Love Acellus

    Reply
  25. Ana/Holly MacNeal

    Will my daughter get credit for watching late? She goes to bed fairly early

    Reply
  26. Jaden

    This is a really intersting episode.

    Reply
  27. Maximilian

    Science! Let’s go!

    Reply
  28. Maximilian

    I am learning much about so many topics.

    Reply
  29. Jaden

    This is the first time hearing about the Pizoelectric Effect.

    Reply

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