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Are Electric Eels a Useful Source of Power?

Miguel Wattson is an ideal seasonal employee. Not only does he work for free, but he also supplies his own holiday cheer.

You see, Miguel is an electric eel who resides at the Tennessee Aquarium in Chattanooga. During the holiday season, Miguel's naturally-occurring electric shocks help to power strings of lights on the Christmas tree just outside his tank.

Electric eels can produce shocks of up to 800 volts.
Electric eels can produce shocks of up to 800 volts.

Sensors in Miguel's tank detect when he is seeking food or is otherwise excited, and the lights on the tree respond by growing brighter. The bigger the shock, the brighter the lights flash. There's also a soundboard that alerts aquarium visitors when Miguel is putting out some power. Although his low-level electrical discharge is only about 10 volts, Miguel's shocks can reach 800 volts when he is particularly excited, especially when he's been fed.

Th electric eel is such a popular attraction that aquarium staff even set up a Twitter account for Miguel, which has been designed to automatically post exclamations like "SHAZAM!" anytime Miguel generates a high-level shock. While the aquarium loves the attention, it really hopes that Miguel's hard work will ultimately pay off for him and other eels by teaching onlookers that the sometimes feared and reviled electric eel is actually a very special creature.

An education on electric eels:

  • The front 20 percent of an electric eel holds all of its vital organs, while the remaining 80 percent contains 6,000 specialized power storage cells known as electrocytes.

  • Electric eels can grow to 8 feet (2.4 m) in length and weigh over 40 pounds (18 kg).

  • Although electric eels stay underwater much of the time, they come up for air and sometimes even leap into the air to attack prey.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can electric eels be used as a power source?

While electric eels generate electricity, harnessing this power for human use is impractical. An electric eel can produce shocks of up to 600 volts, but these are brief and not sustained enough to power household items or machinery. The energy produced is also minimal compared to conventional power sources.

How much electricity does an electric eel generate?

An electric eel can generate up to 600 volts of electricity in a single shock. This is enough to stun prey or deter predators but is not comparable to the continuous power output required to supply electricity for human needs. The shocks are momentary and used primarily for defense and hunting.

What mechanism allows electric eels to produce electricity?

Electric eels have specialized cells called electrocytes that store power like tiny batteries. When triggered, these cells open ion channels, allowing a flow of ions and creating a voltage difference. Thousands of these cells work together to produce a significant electric charge, which the eel can release in a controlled manner.

Is it possible to farm electric eels for energy?

Farming electric eels for energy is not feasible. The amount of electricity they produce is not sufficient for commercial energy needs. Additionally, the cost and ethical considerations of keeping and harvesting electric eels for this purpose would outweigh any potential benefits of such a practice.

How do electric eels use their electricity in the wild?

In the wild, electric eels use their ability to generate electricity primarily for hunting and self-defense. They can emit low-voltage discharges to sense their environment and higher voltage shocks to stun prey or deter predators. This electric sense is crucial for navigation and communication in murky waters where visibility is low.

Could technology ever mimic the electric eel's power generation for human use?

Researchers are indeed inspired by electric eels and are exploring bioelectrogenesis for potential applications. For instance, scientists are studying the eel's electrocytes to develop new types of batteries or power sources that could operate on biological principles. However, directly mimicking the electric eel's power generation on a scale useful for human consumption remains a challenge.

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    • Electric eels can produce shocks of up to 800 volts.
      Electric eels can produce shocks of up to 800 volts.