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 »
Great info:-)
Hi from Missouri
I always look forward to science live!
do rockets need fuel? If so what do they do when they run out?
I think the idea of being able to just climb into space instead of having to use a rocket
I’m so excited for today’s science live!
I learned so much from this video thank you!
Hey from AL! Whoa, I had no clue about carbon nanotubes!
Amazing!
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Here learning from Georgia!
Hello Im from the lone star state [Texas]
I love learning about new types of science from Science Live!
its really cool they trying to make the cumputer have better quality
Hii from New jersey!!
hi from canada
he from Tx
That would be cool if they can use it in batteries.
watchin from Canada!
Ready to learn!
hello from Charlotte, North Carolina!
hi from texas I really enjoy science live ❤
hello I love science live!! keep up the good work
Hi! Good evening! Learning about new technology is so interesting!
excited for tonights live!
hi from florida
Wow that’s cool! It’s crazy how much carbon is used in the world
Do the carbon nano-tubes make lithium batteries any less explosive?
What if you have a electric car and you start it, say your driving, why don’t you put a energy collecter on the wheels, so it collects energy from the wheels spinning, and it reroutes the power back to the battery? It is like a never ending battery!
-Coralynn P. tuning in from Tennessee!
Hi from Texas!
I always love Science Live!
HI from NE, could we use carbon a lot more in the future if its stronger then some metals
thanks for doing these
This is so cool
I love science live
I love live science!
So interesting. Thanks for doing these!
That’s very cool!
This is cool!!
what are battery’s made of?
i had a great winter break hope you guys did to’!!
Carbon nanotubes being in electronics was something new I learned.
The tubes were the best part hey from Florida
The carbon nanotube is really interesting!
what is the most impressove things carbon nanotubes have done in practice not in theory?
I Loved this episode!
Thank you for having me
Hi guys how are you doing today I am excited about tonight’s live!!!😀
Good evening everyone
Carbon nano tunes are not only fun to say but helpful in keeping my phone alive so I can keep learning.
Howdy howdy! Welcome back : )
My phone battery gets low all the time! Low power mode is a light saver!
Is there a max amount of weight that the cables would be able to carry?
How long would it take to get into space on a carbon nano tube cable?
I love these lives becuase they teach me so much
In terms of battery, how did lithium become the standard for many things? Is it from how much can be mined in short durations?
I love how these science lectures apply to everyday life.
How are carbon nanotubes made?
I always learn so many new things from science live! I love it so much.
this really does help me understand things way more thank you.
I love science live and how they always share interesting facts
This is so cool.
Great live like alwyas!
This is what I would want for my new phone!
These carbon nano tubs are pretty strong.
Hi from missouri
Hello from TN
Hi everyone.
It is my birthday please have a shout out
carbon nano tubes are cool
Could the connect planets to one another?
Science Live is amazing!
science live is such a cool way to learn such cool things!
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hi im kaci
Hello from Nevada!
Heeyyyyy!
Everytime I watch these I learn so much!
Hi. I’m Mason from Texas. Who made the first electric vehicle?
Hi love from Mississippi!!
hiii
Good video I love science so much
I’ve been learning about molecules in science. It’s fun to learn how it’s used in real life.
Wow how cool!
How many cells is there in a battery?
hi from MO
I’ve always enjoyed learning about Space.
Hi
Thank you for helping us learn!
I am here
Hi From New York
A space elevator. That would be awesome!
Hello!
hey from Tennessee! how is everybody doing tonight
this is cool.
Hi from Michigan
I like all the new things that I learn from science live.
Hi
That’s amazing!
Hi!
carbon is cool
Hi from NJ.
Hello from NJ
I AM EXCIDED FOR TODAY SCIENCE LIVE.
here!
Is David and Caleb going to be on tonight. Sorry if I spelt your name caleb.
I love learning about this.
hi from tennessee
Hello from TX!
I wonder how long my phone battery will last with carbon nano tubes? It’s really cool that it can make batteries better
hi from texas
I have always found science to be fascinating; it’s honestly one of the most amazing things in the world.
I love watching this everytime and learning so much
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Hello from Morocco
A space elevator sounds cool!
I like scince live.
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Hello from NC
That would be so cool to take a carbon nano tube elevator all the way to space!
Hi Rickey from texas!! I really look forward to this!!
So the cable is extremely invincible?
Love the facts about the carbon nano tubes. I like the look of the texture in the microscope photo. Very interesting.
I love learning new things
Those look like olives!
Hello from Georgia
I love learning this cool stuff.
Hello from maryland.
A space elevator? Thats so cool
Hi from Florida. this is so cool.
I love acelleus!!!
Comment Hi, from WV, Amazing I love learning new things!
Hello everyone, I am excited to see what we learn today..
what’s up from midwestern US!
A space elevator; that would be cool!!
How much would carbon nanotubes cost to produce?
Hello, from Maryland!!
i love learning about science!
Hello from south carolina!!!!!
coool!
This is really interesting!
A space elevator sounds interesting.
Hello from Missouri! I’m so excited for today’s lesson!
Are they using it in phones? that is very cool!
Hi everyone, so glad to be back from Christmas break.
Hello from Colorado
Hi from Bridgeport
Hello my fellow classmates and teachers!
Watching my first Science Live from Texas!
I enjoy Science Live!
hi from ky
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from tn
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Hello from California! Science is really cool!
hi from texas
I really like technology
What are some similarities between carbon nanotubes and carbon fiber?
Mabuhay! from the Philippines
Hello from New York!
hi from montana
Carbon nano tubes will definitely revolutionize all our computers and mobile devices!
Happy new year from West Virginia!!!
Hello from Texas
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Hello from NJ!
I love science
hello form tennessee
I am really enjoying this episode!
Scinence Live is amazing!
What is the longest lasting battery so far invented?
Love Science Live! Always something interesting
Hello form FL
this is awesome!
This is very interesting
thanks
Super cool!
Here from Illinois