3 ms·

This is interesting. I read this link because I've been curious about exactly how these work, and I like knowing that sort of thing. Turns out, it works precis

by lukev 4y ago

This is interesting. I read this link because I've been curious about exactly how these work, and I like knowing that sort of thing. Turns out, it works precisely how I would have expected it would work, and indeed, probably using the first approach I would have used for designing such a thing (granted, I'm not a mechanical engineer.) Most things I learn about do NOT fit expectations that well. Truly a simple, practical device. Also, incidentally, all the pencil gauges I have are +/- 5 psi relative to my digital gauge, so despite all these balances it might only be an approximate technique after all.

dvh 4y ago
I had "Unusual sources of energy" class at University. One day we were sitting in the classroom, the teacher was there but the class didn't started yet. I was eating one of those extruded styrofoam cracker and I noticed on the packaging there was a nutrient information, I converted it 1:1 to electric energy and calculated that one cracker could power single LED diode for 6 months. It seemed wrong so I told it to the teacher and asked him how they actually calculate the energy of various foods and when he said they burn it, I bursted into laughter because I honestly imagined some more sophisticated method.
- sidpatil 4y ago
  I believe they no longer use the burning method [1] for measuring food energy, since it overestimates energy of high-fiber foods (fiber doesn't get burned when in the body, but it does get burned during measurement.) I believe nowadays they estimate the caloric content based on the fat, carbohydrate, and protein content of the food. [1] https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calorimeter https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calorimeter
- somat 4y ago
  A good youtube video on the subject of the energy content of food and how efficient the body is at using it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9wZ0wTqJIxY https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9wZ0wTqJIxY

by lukev 4y ago

dvh 4y ago

I had "Unusual sources of energy" class at University. One day we were sitting in the classroom, the teacher was there but the class didn't started yet. I was eating one of those extruded styrofoam cracker and I noticed on the packaging there was a nutrient information, I converted it 1:1 to electric energy and calculated that one cracker could power single LED diode for 6 months. It seemed wrong so I told it to the teacher and asked him how they actually calculate the energy of various foods and when he said they burn it, I bursted into laughter because I honestly imagined some more sophisticated method.

sidpatil 4y ago
I believe they no longer use the burning method [1] for measuring food energy, since it overestimates energy of high-fiber foods (fiber doesn't get burned when in the body, but it does get burned during measurement.) I believe nowadays they estimate the caloric content based on the fat, carbohydrate, and protein content of the food. [1] https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calorimeter https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calorimeter
somat 4y ago
A good youtube video on the subject of the energy content of food and how efficient the body is at using it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9wZ0wTqJIxY https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9wZ0wTqJIxY