The Potato Battery #SaturdayMorningCartoons
by Rebecca Houlihan
PopSci explains how to make a battery with a potato
Don’t have enough cash for an Apple Watch? Try a Potato Clock instead.
I’m far from a gardener, but I do like to grow things occasionally. Ever rummage through the pantry only to find an old potato that has decided to make a run for it, spreading its roots as far as it could in search of fertile ground? When I found a whole bag of these brave tubers, I did what any sensible person would do: I planted them with the sole purpose of making a living, potato-powered clock.
A while back, I had received a potato-powered clock kit as a gift from a friend. Over the years I waited for the perfect opportunity (see: old potatoes) to present itself in order to fulfill my dream of making a solar-powered clock that ran on natural photovoltaics. Last month, when I moved into a new apartment, I decided the patio would be a great place for my new potato batteries.
The result?Yes, the photo was taken at night. I do all my gardening at night. It adds to my mystique and keeps the neighbors talking. The matches? Couldn’t tell you. But that’s besides the point.
Initially, the clock worked like a dream, but by the next morning the display had noticeably dimmed. The next day, it was dead. My only guess is that as the potato heals, the electrodes lose access to their life-giving electrolytes. Oh well. I suppose the kit is really only good for teaching kids about chemical reactions, ions, and electron flow or some nonsense like that.
Each Saturday Morning here at Adafruit is Saturday Morning Cartoons! Be sure to check our cartoon and animated posts both nostalgic and new that inspire makers of all ages! You’ll find how-tos for young makers, approaches to learning about science and engineering, and all sorts of comic strip and animated Saturday Morning fun! Be sure to check out our Adafruit products featuring comic book art while you’re at it!
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