14-year-old creates eco-battery

[pmcpinto]

http://nautil.us/issue/20/creativity/teen-macgyver-invents-battery-to-save-the-planet

[whatshisface]

This battery doesn't generate energy from carbon dioxide, it generates energy from silver plated guitar wire and aluminum foil. It is probable that like in most batteries the electrolyte (and therefore the CO2) isn't even being consumed.

Now, by no means is there anything wrong with experimenting with silly inventions, and I am sure he learned a lot from this, but it does kind of confuse me that he was awarded $25,000! 3M employs hundreds of chemists. Couldn't the judges just ask for someone to explain the winning entry to them?

[zero_iq → whatshisface]

Confused? I'll explain: 3M paid this kid $25000 in order to generate clickbait headlines and get people the world over to see the mark '3M' with minimal effort and expense.

[yjm]

This is just a praise article, good for him and other 15y/o out there aspiring to do fun stuff but not really HN discussion material.

There's very little specifics in the article like how much power does it generates, how much CO or whatever it uses etc.

[kefka]

There's a lot of haters here.

Yeah, a kid learned about how batteries work, and how to make one using cheap ingredients. That's pretty cool.

And now, thanks to 3M, has $25k to his name. He can learn a hell of a lot on that. It all depends how he uses it.

One battwery tech I really appreciate is NiFe batteries. The electrolyte is KOH, which one can readily distill from wood ash. The batteries can be severely abused (over/under charged), and will run for decades. All you need is one more water and KOH. The big problem is their energy density is 1/2 that of a lead-acid battery per equal volume.

[xacaxulu]

Well, in the US, he can save that $25k and be able to afford maybe 1 year of University + living expenses.

[codyb → xacaxulu]

Only if he goes to a public school. Lots of private schools in the US cost more than $25000 in tuition per year alone.

I'm a huge fan of the public school system but I live in NY where the quality is generally regarded as decent (often very good even). I'm not so sure in other states. For instance, I'd imagine, although I haven't researched this, that Florida with its low taxes and general disregard for their education system in general probably wouldn't have the best public universities.

[Sonicmouse]

"14-year-old creates eco-battery with aluminum foil, old guitar strings, and club soda."

Because aluminum foil, old guitar strings and club soda are so prominent in 3rd world countries.

And also... How come I didn't win 25K for my 6th grade science fair projects?

[elinchrome → Sonicmouse]

This is only a stepping stone. He's working on a plastic-wrap, sitar string, and mango lassi battery.

[mikeash → Sonicmouse]

"Doshi was inspired by conversations with his father, a doctor, and trips to poor and polluted towns in India."

I'm going to make a guess here than he may have a better idea of what materials are available in third world countries than you do.