NSF Center for Synthetic Organic Electrochemistry

At this interactive booth, participants will build their own voltaic pile (one of the earliest types of batteries) using simple, safe materials such as zinc and copper discs and vinegar-soaked pads. Working step-by-step with a facilitator, participants stack alternating metals to create a chemical reaction that produces electrical energy. Participants test their battery by connecting it to an LED or voltmeter, then experiment by adding or removing layers to observe how the voltage changes.