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 »
Love the idea of hydrogen cars especially for how eco friendly they are in comparison!
The science fair seems amazing! 😀
The vacuum tube amplifier is very cool! I would love to go to Acellus world
I have heard about 0s and 1s for binary code before, but never heard the terms volatile and nonvolatile. That was cool.
Are carbon nanotubes similar to carbon fiber?
It is always fun to learn with Roger
Love the cup phones
The history of flash drives was great thank you
Those cup phones are cool!
We enjoyed learning about carbon nanotubes from Dr. John and about Dov Moran inventing the USB flashdrive from Dr. Tobias. We also enjoyed learning more about Dr. Billings Science Fair days and seeing more of his proteges.
Science Live on January 14 gave such a clear explanation of vacuum tube amplifiers. It’s wild to think how this early tech shaped everything from music to communication.
I wonder what researchers use to determine a bacterium’s resistance to UV rays? Amazing episode as always!
It is incredible to think there is a material that is strong and light enough to connect earth to outer space! Thinking that that theory could be possible one day would be a huge break through.
It’s great to see the mass diversity of students in the school.
Science live always provide me with new knowledge every video
When is Acellus World?
i hope one day i’m able to get a hydrogen car!
carbon can be used in a lot of things
it’s interesting how nano carbon tubes could change everything.
I’m so grateful to learn something new every wednesday!!!
I thought the part about hydrogen cars was so interesting!
It’s very inspiring to hear about other athletes that use and have used Acellus as it has given me the opportunity to progress in my equestrian journey. Great episode!
I want a hydrogen car one day
This video was so funny and amazing! love the humor
Intriguing as always.
Science fairs are awesome!
I found it very interesting how computer memory has evolved from floppy disks to thumb drives.
Super interesting. Thank you for another great video Science live! I learn something new every time I watch. I am super curious about nextgen computing.
on the space elevator would the carbon nanotubes look kind of like a steel cable or like string?
signing in from texas! 🙂
I am really excited about the science fair, 🙂 *
r-51 is funny
does anybody ever wonder where R51 gets his Pajets?
Science live is so cool! I learn something new everytime.
I loved this episode so much, I would love to know where the science fair is located!!
I love how you all explain everything I learn something new everytime
The Barnes family tradition.. Science Live once a week! Thanks Dr. Billings
I loved this weeks Science Live! Where do I find more about the science fair.
Learning about the amplifier was so cool because I play guitar!
The space elevator would be so cool and amazing!
Thank you for your hard work! I enjoy watching these, I learn something new every single time I watch an episode!!
Science lives are so amazing!!
I want a hydrogen car!!!
I’m so excited for Acellus World!
this was really cool I loved it
this showed me so much new stuff!
this episode was great and I learned a lot.
Sunscreen from bacteria? Hahaha crazy!
the video it was really good I liked it
Honesty is the best policy.
WHERE IS THE SCIENCE FAIR LOCATED? I LOVE SCIENCE LIVE ITS SO FUNNY AND I LEARN SOMETHING NEW EVERY TIME!
Are scientists using carbon nano tubes in medicine to help fix neurological problems?
Science live is so cool
It’s pretty neat to know that carbon nano tubes are literally impossible to make, and I never actually knew that
Dr. John stated carbon nano-tubes are super conductors of electricity and heat, and could make things such as materials stronger and batteries last longer. But only electrical applications were mentioned with nothing about heating. That being said, could these tubes be used to enhance preexisting heat conductors? Or generate even stronger heating levels, making jobs easier to accomplish without using as much electricity?
I love watching these😀
This episode was amazing!
Where is the science fair going to be located?
This was so fun to watch.
Absolute cinema!
i’m really excited for the science fair
I really love R51!
what does an Vacuum tube amplifier do?
I wish we could participate virtually in the science fair.
I just love watching science live. I learned so much.
I love watching science live:3
I love Roger Billings:)
Love hearing new and cool things every week!!
This Episode was amazing!
All the revolutionary inventions people know of, yet most are not aware of its origin nor do they know the hardship the creator faced when making them. It is truly dissapointing.
Dr Roger Billings Made a Car?! I learn new things on this every time I watch it and it’s amazing
Hi from OKC!
Carbon nanotubes are fascinating
All the revolutionary inventions people know of, yet most are not aware of its origin nor do they know the hardship the creator faced when making them.
The carbon items are amazing — I have badminton racket made of carbon .
I always learn something new on every science live episodes sometimes even more than one thing.
Great science live today! So are David and Caleb going to be in every science live now?
It’s crazy to think of how complex everyday things are. We just use it without knowing how much work and brain power it took to invent it.
I really enjoyed this lesson. It’s so cool. Thank you
thank you I learned so much Acellus is great
I can’t wait for Acellus world!
I wonder when carbon nano tubes will be able to be used for power lines to carry electricity
The phone cup scene with R-51 was my favorite!
My mom has a floppy drive that she showed me!
I was interested in the usages that came from the discovery of the Carbon Nano tubes. It is amazing to see all the inventions that surround us in all we do and we take them for granted.
Can’t wait to see what wins the science fair.
Every video is something new!
I LOVE this episode!
The hydrogen cars are so interesting!! Science live is so cool.
This was so fun to learn about!
The vacuum tube is a great invention. Music never sounded so good,
Morse code should be taught in schools.
Keep having David and Caleb on to explain different processes. They are doing a great job not only explaining, but also making it interesting.
Excited about the science fair. Hearing about Dr. Billings invention was very informative. Great to hear that even though you don’t have all the answers keep working!
I always learn so much on science live, thank you!
The science project sounds interesting.
how has the new year been for everyone?
I learn something new every video!
That vacuum tube is so entertaining to watch
I learned so much this episode
What is a Vacuum Tube Amplifier
So I think the science fair seems pretty cool! I am also interested in architecture more than traditional science but, I don’t know what to do. How do I find inspiration for a project? By the way thank for science live! :]
Science Live is more interesting each week. I have used thumb drives, but did not know who created them and why. It is amazing how things that happen to you can help the world as you work to find a solution.
Hope we get to see some of the inventions that are submitted to the Science Fair.
This is the highlight of my week, learning something new in a fun and innovative way
This was a great Science Live! 🙂
it was interesting to learn about the origination of floppy disks and usb drives but also the proteges simple but effective explanation on the triple diode light bulb.
This is my favorite episode
such a good live! love hydrogen cars
That was neat! I learned more than I thought I would from this episode. I did not know that’s how tube amps work. My dad has a few and I’ve seen him change the tubes
I’m super excited for the science fair but I’m not sure what to do TvT
Learning about the flash drive was cool.
It was cool to learn about the important role that nitric acid plays in agriculture and farming.
Wow what a cool episode! My dad has tube amps and now I understand how they work
I can’t wait until the next live!
R51 is so funny!!
Thank you for sharing this video.
The carbon nanotubes are amazing .
Borosilicate glass is what they use instead of the ordinary glass that we use for windows. This special glass can absorb heat without leaving a single crack hence why many vacuum tube amplifiers use it.
Good vid exited to see next week 😁
I love these videos. I have learned so much!
It was interesting to learn the history of the flash drive.
I never knew how important amplifiers are in big concerts!
The fact that you’re able to control the flow of the pistons and engine solely based on the inner temperature is crazy”.
Did they ever make a car with no pollution?
I’m a big fan of Sherlock Holmes too i love his clues!
So cool that carbon nanotubes could make a space elevator!
Thank you again, for another wonderful science live! So entertaining.
Science is so cool.
Science live is awesome! I learn more every week!
what’s the name of the company that made the new sunscreen.
This was an amazing live.
Watching from KC!
I learn something each time I listen. I enjoyed learning about the carbon nanotubes today.
I really enjoyed this Science Live! I always look forward to watching these episodes.
This episode was extremely cool
Since carbon nanotubes are so strong and lightweight, could they really be used to build a space elevator in the future?
I love Acellus live!
There’s so much to learn!
i like david and caleb
This episode might be in my top three. I was immersed the whole time, wow!
I love Acellus live!
I loved learning about carbon nanotubes and more on the hydrogen car!
If I decide to enter the science fair, would it be me video recording my project to submit it?
So cool that there are students from all over the world. I love the flexibility of Acellus Academy. I really like that I can work through the summer so I don’t lose knowledge.
Love this!!!😃
I love the way these videos help shape my understanding of new things.
When you buy tickets for the graduation ceremony can you pick which day you want to attend?
Dr. Tobias always tells such interesting stories, I’m always learning something new from him.
R51 is always funny
Dr Billings what is your favorite field of science? You know so much about so many types. It is impressive.
I liked how the USB was made and how we can use it today.
Science LIVE is so much fun! I learn something new every episode!
Wow, that award sounds like it will be such a great aid for college applications! Whoever wins it will be super lucky!
I really like science. I even do experiments in our home.
I heard about carbon nanotubes before but never understood what they were. Thanks for showing us!
Hello, this is Charlie! these videos teach me a lot, and make me laugh!
Such a good episode! I ❤️science live!!!!!!
I love that find something new every episode 😃
I’m excited about the science fair!
I loved the segment about the siblings who use Acellus while they travel for sports. I also agree with them that Acellus takes the pressure off of missing school. I went to public school for eleven years, and my family was always forced to choose school over sports or vacation. When I switched to homeschooling, we realized that we’d been missing out on things that we didn’t need to. With Acellus, I can do school, even while on vacation or traveling 🙂
R51 is the best!
Thank you for Science Live! See you next week!
I’m feeling super excited for the acellus science fair.
r51 is so funny!
I never fully knew how amplifiers worked until now. That is awesome!
this is very cool i like the hydrogen car part
I loved this episode. Thank you Acellus!
So neat!! I love stuff like this :~)
These lives make science so interesting and fun.
I will make the cup phones!
Greetings from Florida!
Awesome video I love science live!
The vacuum tube amplifier is so cool.
Amplifiers are a really interesting topic!
we loved this science live!
I wonder what is safer hydrogen cars or electric cars, great video though!
we want to do the plastic cup project