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 »
I always look forward to hearing Tobias. That’s very cool about the flash drive
Hydrogen cars sound so cool
I have some CD’s! Can you explain how they work in a future Science live? I would like to know how the music gets loaded to the CD and how the CD player can read it to play it!
These science lives are so fun and cool. I especially liked learning about nano tubes!
Can’t wait for the next one!!
I never knew that’s how a flash drive was invented. very cool
YAY! Im happy to see both of the new people!
Hang in there, R-51, you’ll get it eventually!
hello from georgia!!
Wow this one was so cool. The nano tunes were interesting
That was the best way i’ve ever heard described about how storage works on computers by Tobias. very cool
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Hydrogen cars sound awesome!!!
The carbon nanotubes are really interesting and cool
This is Amazing!! Thank you:)
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glad to have learned about the cars it was interesting
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Honesty is the best policy
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Great Inspiration thanks!!!
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First video so much fun!
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Is flash memory the same as flash storage?
I love learning from Dr Billings!
r51 is super funny
The amplifier for music and radio waves is cool and would like to see more science about it.
I thought it was cool how the vaccum tube amplifier worked and stuff
The amplifier for music and radio waves is cool and would like to see more science about it. Thank you for the presentation.
That is such an interesting story on how the flash memory was made,
I love science live! This episode was GREAT!!
Carbon nanotubes are surely a very interesting topic.
i have been seeing a lot of studies on hydrogen as a fuel source its nice to see the tech evolve
Another good episode. Science is amazing!
I also like how you can use Acellus anywhere! So far I have been able to complete my lessons in Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, North Carolina and I am looking forward to Acellus World this year!
R-51 is super funny! My brother and I like watching it.
Glad Science live is back; we are going to the event in May!
The story about the hydrogen engine was very cool.
it was cool to learn more about amplifiers. we have one at home.
Wow this is so fun to learn in the Science Live!!
I really enjoyed this Science live. I learn so much
If we can get an elevator to space, imagine the possibilities from there! I wonder if there are any negative environmental impacts from technology like that, since I know batteries in general are not great.
First, we talked about Dov Moran. He was from Israel and he had a presentation in New York. However, his computer wouldn’t turn on for like, five minutes! This created the thought that he needed a backup, for that small incident could have wiped everything away! So, he made the idea for a file that was electronic that you could carry around easily. This led to the creation of the flash memory.
Next we talked about Acellus World. It is coming up in the spring where you can have a lot of fun! You can also see some of the graduates of this year, including two kids from Guam. They do Olympic Weight Lifting together and love the Social Emotional Learning course. Kudos to them for being so hardworking.
Finally, R-51 tried to use a vacuum tube. He thought you needed to put one in a actual vacuum. He thought there was too much tech in the world to be still using radio waves so he literally conducted a plan. He made two cups attached by a string and said he invented it. Poor R-51 not knowing it was already invented.
How is it used to make armor
were is the science fair held at?
This was my favorite Science Live yet!
So great and interesting!
I really enjoyed watching this weeks video I can’t wait to watch the next one.
The study of bactiera for sunscreen is cool.
Interesting how they came up with flash drives!
This is such a cool video! I love science live!
watching the video that includes how plants etc show color. A found the fluorescent info interesting. And how layers are cooled.
I did not know that is how flash drives were invented.
How fast does a hydrogen car go.
This is a very engaging video and I find it quite intertaining!
can science live be longer?
The story on how the flash memory was made! is a unique story
Crazy how flash drives were invened not that long ago when you really think about it
I love Science live it is super interesting! Super interesting that a carbon nano tube is so small, but strong and can do many things.
I like learning about science and space.
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I would make a sunscreen with natural ingredients that does not harm animals or humans.
awesome, never knew all these cool facts. love growing my knowledge!
Great Science live! What I got from this Science Live:
Always be honest.
The sky isn’t the limit.
I should be more grateful for the inventions I use daily.
Sending love from Boydton Virginia!
I liked the part about carbon nanotubes.
So, technically, are carbon-nano tubes considered artificial plants in the “growing” case, or is “growing” just referred to as construction?
Comment Mr, Billings is a very interesting man love the stories also love r. 51!
This science live was very educational!
those cars sound amazing!!!!!!
Can a hydrogen computer exist?
you guys are the best I don’t know how you do what you do
How long did it take to make the Hydrogen car not release harming pollution into the air?
What does the Vacuum amplifier do to help people?
I feel like hydrogen cars would waste even more water than we already are.
It’s amazing how flash drives were made.
Its really cool and intriguing to learn new things from science live
I liked the experiment with the cups. I also think Carbon Nano Tubes are very interesting. Looking forward to hearing more about the science fair.
I really liked this one!
carbon is cool how long would it last against like the sun?
so for the amplifiers or speakers, how do they control how much sound come out(higher and lower the volume)
i missed science live so happy its back
It was interesting to hear your science fair experience when you were in high school
What makes the carbon nano tubes so strong?
How much longer could a nano tube battery last than an average battery
I wish I could invent something .
Hydrogen cars sound really awesome!
all the way from Oklahoma
Yayyy!! Love that R51 is back! Nano tubes are really interesting!
Could putting that bacteria on your skin make you sick?
I love science live so much!
Great video looking forward to watching more!
Thank you for inspiring me!
what teachers are at acellus world?
Science lives are always inspiring.
I’m so excited to go to acellus World!
Dr. Billings is such a cool guy!
Cool this was awesome it didn’t make much sense but it was entertaining and I learned a few things
that was so cool! thanks for taking the time to make these videos for us!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:)
What place is the science fair located?
I learned so much from your videos!!!!!!!!! 🙂
Your Videos Help Me Do Better In Science, Thank You
Vacuum tube amplifiers are awsome!
When is it estimated that they’ll have one that can make it to space?
I learned a lot- Thanks! Fun episode!
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I liked how they explained binary code
Why is it called a vacuum tube required?
Comparing our human memory to digital storage is brilliant! Thank you for the inspiring pep talk.
They mentioned hydrogen cars, what about farm equipment?
Do you think nano tubes be used for 3D printing in the futue?
It is amazing how much we could accomplish with carbon nanotubes.
These videos always have something new to learn and I love it.
A science fair would be cool!
I enjoyed learning about the mirco fiber that is super strong. It is potentially strong enough to build an elevator to space.
Such an amazing video to watch learned so much!!
Hello from GA!
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I am excite d for the science fair.
my favorite part of this episode was the breakthrough moments in science!
flash memory is cool!
Wow! Such a cool experiment!
Great follow up to last weeks show! Can’t wait for next week
Hydrogen cars would be so awesome!
A SCIENCE FAIR YESSsSsSSS
I wasn’t expecting there to be a episode on this, but I am here for it!! Great stuff!
R51 is hilarious! 😹😹
This science live was amazing!!!!!!!!!
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I enjoyed learning about vacuum tube amplifiers.
Science is awesome, being able to carbon to make things stronger and faster.
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This was get and help me understand the hydrogen cars.
How are the carbon nano tubes made so strong?
I really liked hearing about the nitric oxide!
A great podcast as always.
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I really liked learning about the nano tubes.
I liked learning about nano tubes.
I liked the information about the flash memory.
Space elevators are cool!
whens the science fair
I love Acellus so much!
Its taking a big step in my school year!
I am such a fan of r51 he is so funny.
Thank you for this awesome school year Acellus!
Learning about nano tubes was cool and interesting!!!
is that carbon tube real or is it a model???
Learning about nano tubes was really cool and interesting!
Hydrogen cars sound awesome!
Now when using the carbon nano device , could this also improve medical gear and equipment?
Science Live is so cool! Love watching!
How long is a carbon nano tube?
I loved learning about nano tubes!!
I loved this video! As always<3
We make Science Live a movie time. I love watching.
This is very cool! where is the science fair? and this videos inspire me!