Video Image

Video URL

http://youtu.be/VzZUTe_zijk

Video Description

investigating the phenomena of strange materials that emit energy when crunched, the creators of this film also explore the myth of two souls that have to overcome gigantic struggles to fulfill their desire to be together. Showing both, the power of desire and electromagnetism, amourous and electrical attraction this video explains the magic of metals that help us communicate with underwater objects or tiny "crystal-batteries" that allow dancefloors to create electricity.

Video Co-Creator(s)

Madeleine Richter

Video Creator Bio

Being excited by physics, Nidahl Haddad and Madeleine Richter also share a passion for image making - digitally or good ol' analog - that inspired this project. Exploring the science behind piezoelectricity, we still find that the mystery that struck us initially hasn't lost any of its fascination - this seems to be the conclusion, for us anyway.

wonderful! i love the poetry of science -- peeling it back to a narrative love with a wonderful illustration does both the science and the beauty behind it (and innate to it) justice.

very creative story line! I would love to learn more about the crystals- specific types and how their energy can be harnessed

    Hi Emily!

    Thanks so much for the kind words :)

    Piezoelectricity and piezoluminescence are phenomena that can be seen in certain crystals as well as some ceramics. Quartz is know to be triboluminescent, meaning it emits light when scratched or rubbed. You can see a neat example that I found on youtube HERE

    There are many applications.

    One can make an acoustic musical instrument into an electric one (via an amplifier) See : Here

    Or even make a dance floor that generates it's own electricity! See Here

    Even our bones are piezoelectric! See here: See Here

    There is some evidence to suggest that the piezoelectricity of our bones effect biological processes (though I do not know the biology and have not done any research, I still find it to be a neat idea)

    Anyway, I hope this has been informative :). I'd love to continue the dialogue if you have any thoughts

    It should be noted that the only studies that I could find regarding the biological effects of electricity in wet (live) bone are from the 1970s. If anyone in the community has any sources or can shed some light on this, I would be very interested. :)

    This was a very nice introduction to Piezoelectricity. I really enjoyed your use of animations to illustrate the main ideas.

    We would appreciate it if you could find the time to take a look at our own short video on Quantum Gravity

    --Gino

      Wow! This is so different. I'm in love (with piezoelectricity)

      Loved it, made me consider the power of nature expressed in both the physical as well as spiritual realm. Only critique I have is it would have been better to substitute the 'intro to electricity' part with more visuals correlating the subtle nature of the power of love and the more mysterious and subtle forces of nature. This concept is definitely demonstrated in the short but a little more overt elaboration could increase the entertainment factor and help it flow a little better.

      Great work!

      BEAUTIFUL video, beautiful art direction, great explanation and storytelling on the subject of electricity and electromagnetism, thank for sharing this awesome project.

      My video " having fun no matter what"

      Andrea Garza

      This is so very poetic and lets me forget all my nightmares about physics at school! thank you.

      This is a very interesting and artistic video. I like the look you achieved with the overlaying animations. Good luck!

      It looks like we both need 4 more ratings to get to the minimum of 10. I'll give you a rating, and if you could watch and rate mine it would be greatly appreciated. My video is "The Cool Physics of Refrigeration."

        Looks like we need to help each other out contestants!!! I have given your video a community vote!!! Please can you do the same for mine???http://fqxi.org/community/forum/topic/2136

        It is called "convection? Heat transfer? Who cares?"....

        I hope that I can rely on you reciprocating the favour!!! Good luck!!

          We checked out your video and liked it a lot! Nidahl and I also left a comment if you're interested :) Good luck and best wishes for you, Kirsten!

          Hi Mark,

          we left you a comment and rated your video! Your feedback and vote is greatly appreciated and we hope to see more "Science Geek" videos! Best luck, Madeleine

          Madeleine and Nidahl,

          Great video... artistic, poetic and scientific at the same time! I love the hand drawn lines that make up your animations!

          I thought the second part about the piezoelectric effect itself was the most original part, and although I loved the rubbed cat at the beginning of the video, I felt that for the non-initiated, the fundamental difference between regular static electricity created by electron transfer (for example, between the amber and the cat) and piezoelectricity was not made explicit enough. What makes piezoelectricity special is that the crystal itself remains neutral, while opposite net charges appear on opposite faces.

          That said, I am really glad your video is doing well and will only need one more vote (after I've added mine) to reach 10 votes. I submitted 3 videos in this contest (the trilogy "This Is Physics") and although part 1 has already reached the 10 votes threshold, parts 2 and 3 are still in need of votes (I think a few people watched all 3 but only rated the first part). If you could take a look at my videos and leave me feedback, it would be quite appreciated. By the way, I have also tried to achieve a "hand-drawn" look by using chalk textures, but it is fake, since almost everything has been drawn by computer!

          Good luck in the contest!

          Marc

          Madeleine,

          You wrote in my video page "This is admirable and at times when I struggle with animation, illustration, drawing - things I love - I shall be reminded of the way you pursue your goal. "

          Know that, every time, in my struggle, I will have to make a video, I will think of you and your skills in animation...

          I did enjoy your video: the story telling, the minimal animation fused with the two real hands, the running cat that made me smile, the way you (and Nidhal) reminded me something that I had already forgotten from the times when I was a chemistry student.

          Lovely video ... I will rate it as it deserves, of course.

          Keep making videos, ok? [ I would love to have (both of) you on my team.]

          Sincerely

          Teresa