Random Facts #94

Solar cells can actually be constructed using copper oxide and saltwater.
Source: DIY solar cell

Batteries can similarly be made at home, using Zinc and Copper, doused with an electrolyte.
Source: Sciphile - homemade battery materials

Diodes for radio communication can be created using cuprous (copper) oxide as well, due to the material's semiconducting properties.
Source: Hackaday: DIY diodes

Fool's gold, or Iron Pyrite, is a semiconductor, and could potentially be used to drastically lower the charging time of batteries in the form of quantum dots.
Source: spectrum.ieee.org: Fools Gold could lead to a new generation of batteries

"Crystal radios" are called that because they use a small Silicon, Lead Sulfide (Galena), or Germanium crystal as a diode to receive AM radio waves.
Source: Techlib

Comments

[Crescent Glaive]

Cool!