Vacuum Tube Amplifier
January 14, 2026 • EPISODE 293
📌 Science Fair Idea – R-51 Radio
What’s a vacuum tube amplifier? Come explore with Dr. Roger Billings on Science LIVE! Learn about the technology that made it possible to boost electrical signals and amplify sound. Discover how vacuum tubes control electron flow, why they powered early radios, audio systems, and computers, and how they shaped modern electronics. And get ready for something super exciting: carbon nanotubes – super-strong, lightweight materials that might one day help build a space elevator, opening new ways to reach space!
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 »
Tobias’s part was super informative. Learning about the USB was also really interesting. A great science live like always.
Hello, this is my first time watching Science Live, and I really found it really interesting and inspiring. It is awesome to see the huge leaps in technological development in real time as we head into 2026. I can’t wait for the next episode!
We loved hearing about the Acellus graduates! Super inspiring, thanks for sharing these!
The part when Caleb was playing the guitar without a amplifier, David was Caleb’s 1# fan
I loved this episode thank you!
Tobias is always so funny.
Poor R51, He just wants to claim an invention as his own.
Hope everyone has a good week.
I really enjoyed Tobias’ segment on floppy discs and flash drives. He has such a way of telling these stories that keeps me really engaged and wanting to learn more!
I wonder how someone could have even thought of the binary system.
Hello from Colorado! science is interesting.
Thank you for all your stories. They help us not give up and keep trying our best.
Technology has really come a long way.
Honesty is the best policy
Honesty is always the best policy. A great reminder.
Honesty is the best policy!!!
Being honest is the best way of doing things.
Dr. Roger Billings’ story about his science fair project back in high school was really intriguing. Most importantly, his honesty helped him get further with his project which is simply amazing!
Honesty in science is so important.
Honesty is the best policy!
I’d love the encouragement of the student that graduated, and I also liked that he was talking about honesty that if in order to achieve your goal, you have to be honest.
Yes! Honesty is the best policy!
It is so true about how you have to be honest in science. so cool!
That’s good that you were honest about your car not working yet. So many people today aren’t honest.
Being honest is very important and it’s fun knowing that learning that as a kid will help me as an adult when I am a scientist!
I never thought that Carbon nanotubes would be used to make space elevators. It sound really cool, honestly.
Hi I love Acellus
Science Live is awesome!
The idea of carbon nanotubes one day being used for space elevators is so exciting!
I think it’s very cool just how much technology has evolved, and even more interesting to learn about the individual inventions themselves.
Love learning new science facts! Thank you for the broadcast!
Tuning in from Louisiana. Hope yall had a great time over the winter holisdays !
That was amazing!
Hello from Kentucky!
I love Thobias! I wish he had a course.
This was amasing i loved it.
I LOVE ACELLUS!!!!!
I liked the comparing to a truck stopping at a light. Cool video
hello, form Michigan.. It’s so cold here today!
wow r51 i luv ur cup radio sytem its gonna revolutionize the world lol🤣
hello from arkansas! i loved learning how flash drives were made. this is the highlight of my week
What are some other things you can use carbon nano for?
My dad has amplifiers at our home that we use when we play our guitars. I liked learning how they were created!
honesty is the only way!
Hearing from graduates was awesome. Learning more about amplifiers was cool.
thank you for another great science live
Fun video! hi from IL
Hi from Belize!
I think it would be really cool in the future driving around in a hydrogen car and seeing hydrogen buses drive to schools.
Hello from Madison
This science live was so interesting! I learned a lot. using carbon nanotubes as armor is so cool!
Hello from Florida, it was fun learning about flash drives.
This is my first science live and first week doing home school. I really like Accelus so far.
Hello from NY! Interesting science live, I’m looking forward to next week!
That was a cuptastic episode😂, I always enjoy watching science live. I love to watch because I am going through a hard time. I have to move to a place very far from my home here in Montana. Can’t wait for next week!
Hello from Texas. I loved today’s science live!
I loved learning about the flash drive’s creation
My favorite part was when he talked about when he built the hydrogen car. I am excited about the science fair coming up.
I loved learning about the flash drive evolution!
Science Live is the highlight of my week!
very cool episode, i enjoy watching this every week 😀
Thanks for Acellus! Science Live is the best!!!
Hello from Texas! This science live was very interesting!!
I thought that we could using carbon nano tubing for space elevators was cool
ACELLUS IS GREAT!!!
It’s amazing how technology that we now consider “simple” requires so much work, and that’s incredible.
I liked meeting the students and learning they do olympic weight lifting.
Love R-51 I’m glade you didn’t give up!
Hello from Montana. I love science live! Thanks again.
I found her on google and I just said who is Jane Braden she works at a hospital and say to Siri show me a picture of Jane Braden and what she does I got you Dr.Billings
I like the vacuum tube part and a guitar amp
I am enjoying learning about how things are created. The flash drive was no exception.
what else can we use carbon nano tubes for?
I love watching theses every week.
Hello from North Carolina, thank you Acellus.
I love science live!
soooo coooooool!
I look forward to the science live every week!
Flash drives were a great invention.
the carbon nano tubes are kind of cool
technology spotlight was cool
Carbon nano tubes sound like they have endless applications. I’d love to see them made in an oven.
Wow, I didn’t know that is how a USB is made, how cool.
I Love Acellus
I’m so happy for science live and I can’t wait to see more! And I’m excited to see more of R-51
I love science live! Thanks Dr. Billings.
r 51 is the best
I loved that speech given by that student from Guam. I love Dr. Pajet’s class, as well, her voice is like a lullaby and she is so sweet and caring. Her class has helped me through some tough times. I also love her banter with Dr. Billings on Science Live!
Is combining all of the pre-existing technologies a “new” invention or a different use of old inventions?
acellus is a dream come true
I always look forward to watching these science lives, and they never disappoint!
Acellus is the best online school ever!
I think that carbon nano tube are cool because they are so small. I wonder how long it took to make the flash drive? I liked Dr.R’s story about the scince fair today!
I will always be honest and tell the truth about everything.
I like r-51! And will the nanotech tube be able to be mass produced and sold? Was just wondering. Every single science live is very cool!
Love Acellus!!
Dr. Tobias is my favorite! He’s so funny🤣lol
hi from texas!!
I loved learning about how the amplifier works from The Proteges!
I just love new discoveries! Science is the best!
I love it when R-51 comes in!
it is cool how simple a radio can work
Hello from North Carolina!
hello from arkansas
i love this.
R51 is so fun to watch! Hello from Oregon.
I always look forward to these Science Live videos.
science is very cool thank you Acellus
I will be working on a new type of propelsion system for aeronautical applications in the upcoming science fair.
I love the integrity you have. It was a very innovative science project that still had its kinks.
“Honesty is the best policy “ I love that!
These science lives never fail to make me interested! this was such a great video, and i love how they bring other family’s in and have students encourage other students!
Hi this is Laila from NY!! i found this episode super interesting, and it was super neat learning about how flash drives are created
Wow Pajet got cloned!! Great job R51!!
Hello from Alaska, very interesting video this week!
Always love learning about the progressions in science, like how floppy disc and flash drives came about
I think carbon nano tubes are so cool because they’re stronger than steel on all these other crazy materials
It’s amazing how a single idea can change modern life.
Hi. In this episode I found pleasure in the honesty of DR. Rodger Billings. Even in front of the science fair judges, he stayed honest about the first prototype of the hydrogen engine. I look forward to next weeks episode!
Carbon nano tube batteries are cool.
Learning about the USB drives was super interesting!
THANK YOU ACELLUS!!!
Learning about Dov Moran and the USB flash drive was very interesting,
I am still loving this homeschool courses,
The new duo is very fun. They are doing great. And r 51 is always a highlight
Learning about the carbon nanotube was very interesting.
The Dov Moran story was awesome!
I liked learning about the amplification!
Hello from Texas! Thank y’all for doing this every week!
I like that definition of science, because it’s true. The art of science is searching for truth. Most things are rooted in the foundations of science, its just about finding the truth that fits you.
This was such a good episode! Thank you
Love learning about flash drives! Hope to learn more about it next week!
if you slit the string of a cup communicator, will your message actually still go through?
I love science live it’s my favorite part of the week
Honesty for the science fair is awesome! The fact that you still did the science fair and didn’t let the pollution discourage you from participating is admirable.
I guess honesty really can be a great accomplishment.
Good job on being honest! Being honest is much better than winning a science fair!
Honestly really is the best policy!
Good video on honesty and vacuum tubes.
I learned that there is something stronger than steel, carbon nanotubes. It’s a very strong structure and has a strong carbon bond.
In Breakthrough Moments in Science, I learned about Dov Moran. After almost not being able to start his computer before a presentation, he felt that if he needed a way to back up his speech and slides. A portable back up for electronic files. So from floppy drive, CD’s, to the USB flash drive/flash memory stick, it happened!
Dr. Billings spoke about Science being a search for truth and knowledge. He spoke of honesty. Being honest about research shows respect for time and others. David & Caleb, are a great team. The Protégés demonstrated the vacuum tube amplifier and the concert with all the people was awesome!
I am from Texas so it was cool hearing you mention my state in your story. Thank you for being such a great example of integrity by saying honesty is the best policy, science is seeking truth, and persevering even after such a big failure.
I believe honesty goes a long way. When you’re honest things may turn out better than you expect. Honesty is very important in life, especially in science where being honest about your results matters significantly.
I love Dr.Billings brings out how honesty can be use anywhere including in science!! I will always remember that whenever I use science in anything I do to always be honest
Honestly, carbon nano tubes sound very interesting is the way they’re made.. I just wonder if we can somehow make them bigger so we can use them in more conventional ways
Even if a project is still in the works, or something doesn’t go as planned being honest about it allows you to continue researching and working towards a different result! Definitely motivational to work on projects and be honest about the results from start to finish!
Honesty + science = BREAK THROUGH!!!
Honestly I would so love to meet Mr.Rodger Blillings!!
I love your honesty in that science fair.
I think its is important to be honest in science when you do research.
I loved the story about honesty and how in your case it drove you to realizing that your focus had to be to solve the problem by finding the solution.
I loved learning about your Science Fair experience and I think honesty is the best policy too!
Honesty indeed the best way to go.
Technology is honestly super fun! It amazes me every week.
the part where you where honest about the pollution I though it was funny well congratulations for being honest 🙂
Honesty is the best policy! I love science!
How flash drives were created is very interesting.
i love you thank you for acellus
R51 is so funny
Hello from Montana
Science is cool.
Hello from Kentucky! that was a good Science Live!
Science Live is the highlight of my week!
I like that you didn’t give up hope for the pollution issue you had at the science fair
dropping in from texas
I hope everyone had a great winter break!
R51 is absolutely my FAVORITE. LOL!
I love watching these!!
This was very interesting, can’t wait for next week.
The tech spotlight is always so interesting! It’s cool to see how technology we now consider “simple” was brought up in the first place.
I really enjoyed the idea of using carbon nanotube composites for bullet proof vests, as this is just as protective as protective as Kevlar (which is what we normally see in these vests) but lighter. Which is great since the traditional vests are more heavy and difficult to operate in so these news vests are more light and firm. I also really enjoyed the segment from the “Proteyes”.
I love this live!
I love watching theses every week.
Science is so fascinating!
Technology is amazing
hello from Florida
So cool!
tapping in from NC
I love learning and I love science live
I love science live thank you!
I LOVE SCIENCE LIVE