1.21 gigawatts...

[SSSnail]

That's what I generate daily from static electricity. I generate an obscene amount of it that it doesn't matter what I do, I'm always in for a shock. I sit, I stand, I walk, I move... and as soon as I touch anything metallic, buzzzzz.

I get out of my car, buzzzz..

I open the door, buzzzz...

I take a leak, flush, buzzzz....

Maybe I'm just electrifying :awe:. You too?

No, it's not because of what I wear because even I'm almost naked, or naked, it's the same story. Maybe I need to walk around with anti-static straps.

 

[techs]

Time to polish up the DeLorean and go.....
Back to the Future

 

[lxskllr]

You need some of those grounding straps the black people used to put on their cars. Strap them to your calves so they drag the ground behind you :^P

 

[silverpig]

I'm somewhat the same. Whenever I reach for a door knob I touch it with my keys first.

 

[Colt45]

jigga what

 

[raystorm]

 

[Red Squirrel]

Static shocks can reach millions of volts. Even if it's a fraction of an amp, if it could somehow be harvested and stepped down, one could probably produce quite a lot of power. I think Faraday had made a generator that used static.

 

[Crono]

It helps to hurl lightning bolts every so often.

Feel free to throw them at clock towers, help a struggling scientist out.

 

[Rubycon]

Shuttle dial fun!

I love the shuttle dial! I wish I could have one that worked on real life!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iGlrobvb-ao

 

[El Guaraguao]

are you sure youre not jesus christ?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4s1xacOUyWw

 

[T9D]

...

 

[DrPizza]

Static shocks can reach millions of volts. Even if it's a fraction of an amp, if it could somehow be harvested and stepped down, one could probably produce quite a lot of power. I think Faraday had made a generator that used static.

Sure, if you're talking about lightning. But, if you're talking about the static discharge that the OP is talking about, 10,000-20,000 volts tops. Also, no, one couldn't use it to produce a lot of power. You would actually lose power. Simple conservation of energy. i.e. lets make a machine that scuffs feet on the floor - 100 watts to run the machine, you'd be damn lucky to even get 10 watts out. The rest would turn to heat.

Heyyyyyy, just had a brilliant idea for an invention... Hmmmmmmmm.... will this one be marketable?

 

[Rubycon]

Sure, if you're talking about lightning. But, if you're talking about the static discharge that the OP is talking about, 10,000-20,000 volts tops. Also, no, one couldn't use it to produce a lot of power. You would actually lose power. Simple conservation of energy. i.e. lets make a machine that scuffs feet on the floor - 100 watts to run the machine, you'd be damn lucky to even get 10 watts out. The rest would turn to heat.

Heyyyyyy, just had a brilliant idea for an invention... Hmmmmmmmm.... will this one be marketable?

Two machines come to mind when generating static potential: The Wimshurst and Van DeGraaf. The former uses a pair of counter rotating disks and is often seen in educational labs. A small condenser (often referred to as a Leyden jar) stores potential as the machine is cranked by hand. Potentials of 75,000 volts are often possible depending on the spark gap set distance and radius of its balls. What really affects these machines is air humidity. This is why static shocks are nearly non existent in the tropics and during summer months in temperature climates.

VDGs can be built HUGE and generate potentials of millions of volts! These behemoths can be several storeys tall. Common ones used to generate a few hundred kV will be seen in educational institutions. On a crisp winter day sparks up to a foot can be drawn from the top ball. Even to the hand (albeit painful!) I know them well as I was always picked to volunteer to get charged up due to my long blond hair!

http://uw.physics.wisc.edu/~wonders/DemoVdG.html

Storage in Leyden batteries is possible however a charge at high potential is not useful to power common devices as the way current is drawn. At these potentials the electrons want to flow all once very rapidly. This is no different than lightning and is why lightning cannot be harnessed. (for useful purposes!)

 

[Sea Moose]

You need some of those grounding straps the black people used to put on their cars. Strap them to your calves so they drag the ground behind you :^P

Your racists bro!

 

[rockyct]

Sure, if you're talking about lightning. But, if you're talking about the static discharge that the OP is talking about, 10,000-20,000 volts tops. Also, no, one couldn't use it to produce a lot of power. You would actually lose power. Simple conservation of energy. i.e. lets make a machine that scuffs feet on the floor - 100 watts to run the machine, you'd be damn lucky to even get 10 watts out. The rest would turn to heat.

Heyyyyyy, just had a brilliant idea for an invention... Hmmmmmmmm.... will this one be marketable?

Get some "green" funding money and install the device on the door bars of heavily trafficked hallways with carpet. A new source of renewable energy.

 

[Rezag3000]

the unit "watt" is a rate; so you produce 1.2 gigajoules of energy per second?

 

[Cerpin Taxt]

Two machines come to mind when generating static potential: The Wimshurst and Van DeGraaf. The former uses a pair of counter rotating disks and is often seen in educational labs. A small condenser (often referred to as a Leyden jar) stores potential as the machine is cranked by hand. Potentials of 75,000 volts are often possible depending on the spark gap set distance and radius of its balls. What really affects these machines is air humidity. This is why static shocks are nearly non existent in the tropics and during summer months in temperature climates.

VDGs can be built HUGE and generate potentials of millions of volts! These behemoths can be several storeys tall. Common ones used to generate a few hundred kV will be seen in educational institutions. On a crisp winter day sparks up to a foot can be drawn from the top ball. Even to the hand (albeit painful!) I know them well as I was always picked to volunteer to get charged up due to my long blond hair!

http://uw.physics.wisc.edu/~wonders/DemoVdG.html

Storage in Leyden batteries is possible however a charge at high potential is not useful to power common devices as the way current is drawn. At these potentials the electrons want to flow all once very rapidly. This is no different than lightning and is why lightning cannot be harnessed. (for useful purposes!)

It really is you!!! :awe:

 

[biggestmuff]

Verne's got your gigawatts, mother fuckers

 

[Sea Moose]

Two machines come to mind when generating static potential: The Wimshurst and Van DeGraaf. The former uses a pair of counter rotating disks and is often seen in educational labs. A small condenser (often referred to as a Leyden jar) stores potential as the machine is cranked by hand. Potentials of 75,000 volts are often possible depending on the spark gap set distance and radius of its balls. What really affects these machines is air humidity. This is why static shocks are nearly non existent in the tropics and during summer months in temperature climates.

VDGs can be built HUGE and generate potentials of millions of volts! These behemoths can be several storeys tall. Common ones used to generate a few hundred kV will be seen in educational institutions. On a crisp winter day sparks up to a foot can be drawn from the top ball. Even to the hand (albeit painful!) I know them well as I was always picked to volunteer to get charged up due to my long blond hair!

http://uw.physics.wisc.edu/~wonders/DemoVdG.html

Storage in Leyden batteries is possible however a charge at high potential is not useful to power common devices as the way current is drawn. At these potentials the electrons want to flow all once very rapidly. This is no different than lightning and is why lightning cannot be harnessed. (for useful purposes!)

YAy Rubycon is back!!!!

 

[bobdole369]

Do you have those nasty Mercury fillings? That happens to a lot of people who have those. And it's really bad for you too because the charge releases mercury into your body.

No V1001, no it doesn't.

The problem the OP is having is due to the weather. It's probably cold where you live. The heats on - and the humidity is very very low, even when its snowing. Low humidity = high static.

It happens in reverse here, Summertime = shockcity - AC is on, low humidity, walk to bathroom from den = shock.

 

[effowe]

No V1001, no it doesn't.

The problem the OP is having is due to the weather. It's probably cold where you live. The heats on - and the humidity is very very low, even when its snowing. Low humidity = high static.

It happens in reverse here, Summertime = shockcity - AC is on, low humidity, walk to bathroom from den = shock.

Interesting, I've been wondering about what caused this. It happens to me quite often, but it usually depends on what I'm wearing. I haven't been able to track it down, but certain combinations of fabrics can increase the shock. My shoes also seem to play into it. I have a habit of discharging myself on any nearby faucet when I am feeling a little charged up. I have given myself some serious shocks when turning on a light, the screw will zap me hard.

Any suggestions as to how to cut down the charge, as far as what sort of fabrics to avoid or what type of shoes to wear? FYI, it's cold where I live and the heat has been on. I never put it together, but I suppose I do only start getting really shocked when it's cold out.

 

[SSSnail]

No V1001, no it doesn't.

The problem the OP is having is due to the weather. It's probably cold where you live. The heats on - and the humidity is very very low, even when its snowing. Low humidity = high static.

It happens in reverse here, Summertime = shockcity - AC is on, low humidity, walk to bathroom from den = shock.

Yeah, it's really cold here, today it's about 78 degrees with a slight chance of cloudy.

 

[mutz]

just be careful at the gas stations dude...

 

[PlasmaBomb]

Great Scott!

 

[PlasmaBomb]

It really is you!!! :awe:

yay!