Scientists Generate Electricity from Foods

Back to Light is a creatively scientific series by photographer Caleb Charland that explores the naturally electrifying power of ordinary objects like fruits and loose change. The images in the series features a number of materials, including consumables readily found in one’s pantry, generating enough power to light lamps and LED lights.

The ongoing photo project, which began in 2010, was initially inspired by the powerful simplicity of the potato battery. The science enthusiast explains, “By inserting a galvanized nail into one side of a potato and a copper wire in the other side a small electrical current is generated. The zinc coating on the nail gives off electrons due to the electrolyte environment within the potato. These electrons then travel along the copper wire providing the electrical voltage to illuminate a small light emitting diode. The utter simplicity of this electrical phenomenon is endlessly fascinating for me.”

Orange Battery

Additionally, Charland reflects on his own project by saying: “This work speaks to a common curiosity we all have for how the world works as well as a global concern for the future of earth’s energy sources. My hope is that these photographs function as micro utopias by suggesting and illustrating the endless possibilities of alternative and sustainable energy production.”

Charland tells us that he hopes to expand his project this summer by making “little hydro electric generators and installing them in the landscape.” Until then, the photographer is showing a selection of his works at Schneider Gallery in Chicago and has a solo show coming up at Gallery Kayafas in Boston from May 17th through June 7th.

Battery From a Single Potato

Grapefruit and Pomelo Battery

Vinegar Battery

Fruit Battery Still Life (Citrus)

Coin Battery

Electricity From a Ring of Apples

Fruit Battery with Hanging Apples

Limes and Lemons

Vinegar Batteries with Glassware and Shelf

Garage of Organic Batteries

Potato Power, LaJoie Growers LLC, Van Buren, Maine

Fun With Objects

Coolest iPad Docks and Stands

If ever there were an iPad dock fit for royalty, this would be it.This man has created something akin to a shrine to his iPad. Bavarian-based photographer, Georg Dinkel, has created an iPad speaker dock he calls “TonSchrein”, which is German for “Sound Shrine”- appropriately enough.

Macintosh Classic iPad Dock, Created by Some Japanese Modders

Meet the retro wooden TV iPad dock which has been designed to look like a television did in the good old days of black and white. Perhaps you may not have been born in that glorious era, but you just happen to love collecting vintage looking items. Either way, this wooden iPad dock is a pretty unique one as far as iPads are concerned.

This vintage typewriter is a beautiful, functional, and unique accessory for your home office.

If you wanted something artsy that somehow manages to merge with technology, then this Venus Of Cupertino iPad dock might be just what you're looking for.

Creative hammer iPad Dock
Listen to all your music in style with the Jukebox Dock from ION Audio. This is a tabletop speaker dock for iPad with vintage looks, modern capability and has an eye-catching, real wooden cabinet with lighted neon-style trim. It's a great addition to any decor and will get everyone talking.

iPad Dock work station

RockAppleWood specializes in making all types of docking stations for Apple products from salvaged wood recovered from the foothills of California. This iPad dock is made of Manzanita wood — salvaged from a tree lost due to the expansion of a local community college.

This iPhone/iPad stand or docking station appears to be a running faucet. It's made of polycarbonate plastic with ABS faucet parts and at first glance, looks like an old-fashioned faucet stand with streaming water.

Taking the iPad-as-TV-replacement concept to its literal conclusion, the V-Luxe iPad Stand ($TBA) turns your iPad into a '50s style TV set.

Are you an Arcade Game junkie? If you own the “New iPad” you can use your portable Arcade with it.

Designed to be compatible with an Apple iPhone, iStation iPad dock also offers direct MP3 playback from a USB flash drive or a microSD card. Other features include built-in stereo speakers with a subwoofer and a 3.5mm standard audio jack if you prefer to enjoy your favorite tunes or music alone without distracting others. M.I.C's iStation iPad dock is priced at USD85.90

Convert your new iPad into a retro TV for your favorite movies. This is an eye-catching, multi-functional docking station designed for an original iPad, iPad 2 and the new iPad, and handmade by Mario (apparently he doesn't come from the Mushroom Kingdom)

Nintendo 64 iPad Dock