Tag: electricity

• Electricity Out of Thin Air

  A team of engineers at the University of Massachusetts Amherst has shown that nearly any material can be turned into a device that continuously harvests electricity from humidity in the air. Jeff and Anthony think this could be a paradigm-shifting breakthrough, and discuss how it is being done and why it might change everything. [more]

  June 21, 2023Episodes

• Floating the Idea of Solar

  An international team of researchers has done a global analysis on the potential of floating solar panels, and the results are striking. Jeff and Anthony discuss the feasibility of using reservoirs to harness solar energy, and why more countries aren't doing it. [more]

  March 28, 2023Episodes

• Shock Therapy and Space Mummies

  Researchers claim, for the first time, to have used custom-fitted deep brain stimulation to substantially alleviate a patient’s decades-long bout with severe depression. Anthony and Jeff discuss the scientific and ethical ramifications of re-wiring the brain with actual wires. Then, what happens to dead bodies on Mars? If humans are gonna go there, then we better be thinking about it! Luckily, scientists are, and Jeff and Anthony might not like the conclusions. [more]

  October 8, 2021Episodes

• Jolt of Personality

  Trans-cranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) - the process of directly electrocuting parts of the brain to accelerate learning - causes Anthony and Jeff to debate the possibility of the human soul. If we are just a series of electrical impulses, does it even matter if we can all be Super Men? Also how badass would it be to have rocketfeet? Hey! If you're enjoying the show, please take a moment to rate/review it on whatever service you use to listen. Here's the link to do it on iTunes: [http://bit.ly/wehaveconcerns](http://bit.ly/wehaveconcerns) Jeff on Twitter: [http://twitter.com/jeffcannata](http://twitter.com/jeffcannata) Anthony on Twitter: [http://twitter.com/acarboni](http://twitter.com/acarboni) Today's story was submitted by @_DaanishSyed and @saviopalm RadioLab 9-Volt Nirvana: [http://www.radiolab.org/story/9-volt-nirvana/](http://www.radiolab.org/story/9-volt-nirvana/) [more]

  July 23, 2014Episodes