UC Clermont Breaks Guinness World Record with Potato Battery

UC Clermont College recently broke the Guinness Book of Records for the highest voltage potato battery. More than 100 students, faculty and staff along with students from Sandy Ruschell's Reading High School class, came out to help set a new potato battery world record of 1380 volts.

"Every year in my physics class, I set up a battery using copper wire, zinc nails, and a fruit. I usually use lemons and light up a small LED. However, lemons are a bit pricey, so I decided last year to try potatoes since they are cheaper. When I was investigating online what I can power with a potato battery, I found that there is a Guinness World Record for most voltage from a potato battery (1,224 Volts). I immediately talked to Cliff Larrabee, professor of chemistry, and told him about the record, and we both thought this was something we could break. I usually like to joke that I will never get into Guinness Book for being fast, strong or rich, but building a battery...I can do that!,” said Associate Professor of Physics Nick Abel

With the generous donation from Kroger of 2000 potatoes, along with Professor Larrabee finding the best combination of metals to use (magnesium ribbon with silver-coated wire), we put it all together on the Monday, May 4, after final exams, said Abel.

For more information about the record breaking attempt, please email Nick Abel at abelnp@ucmail.uc.edu.