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Aquarium Uses Eel Powered Christmas Lights

A Japanese aquarium is using the greenest energy possible to power the lights on its Christmas tree, an electric eel. From the article: "Each time the eel moves, two aluminum panels gather enough electricity to light up the 2-meter (6 ft 6 in) tall tree, decked out in white, in glowing intermittent flashes."

5 of 96 comments (clear)

  1. They questioned the practicality?! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Of course, it is not practical. Sometimes practicality needs to be shoved out of the way because impractical is half the fun. In this case it's the idea and the wonder of whether or not it could be done. They've shown it can be done regardless of how practical it may be. I, for one, rejoice in this sort of tinkering and proof.

  2. Ask and ye shall receive. by dtmos · · Score: 4, Informative
  3. Re:I hate to say it but by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Solar is the greenest energy available, hands down.

    Not if the solar cells require a lot of toxic chemicals and energy for the manufacture process...

  4. Feedback by dtmos · · Score: 3, Interesting

    ... so if the eel is in sight of the tree, and is photophobic (or -philic), can one set up an oscillation in which eel movement causes light which causes more movement, making the tree lights flash at a substantially constant rate?

  5. No-eel by digitaldc · · Score: 5, Funny

    No-eel, No-eel, No-eel, Noooo-eeeeeel!

    Born is the light powered by my eel.

    --
    He who knows best knows how little he knows. - Thomas Jefferson