Gizmodo: static electricity

"It's Possible to Receive a Small and Quick Electrical Shock From Your Earbuds While Listening to iPod"

John Herrman — Wed, 20 May 2009 05:35:36 EDT

From Apple's support pages, a warning about potential static electricity buildup in earbuds, in which Apple has been reduced to explaining basic physics to its customers. [via Crave UK]

Robot Climbs Walls With Static Electricity

Mark Wilson — Tue, 20 May 2008 16:00:00 EDT

This unnamed robot by SRI International has a useful trick—it can climb walls using the principle of electro-adhesion (what we generalized as "static electricity" as kids, when we'd rub balloons on our heads and stick them to walls). But what's most promising is that the robot needs only a "very small amount of power" to stick to surfaces that can be covered in dust and other debris. The link has a video of the robot in action. SPOILER ALERT: robots climbing up drywall is more boring than you'd think. [Popular Mechanics]

Static Electricity Eliminator Neutralizes Your Shocking Winter Auras

Charlie White — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 10:10:47 EST

Winter is almost here, and you know what that means? Shocking yourself with thousands of volts of electricity just by being you. But this Static Electricity Eliminator is here to help. Since there's enough power in those snapping shocks to zap your laptop into oblivion, this $9.99 keyfob discharges that electro-detritus with no harm, no foul. Just touch its rubber tip to anything that's grounded, and the little smiley face on its LCD display tells you you're good to go. [Think Geek, via Coolest Gadgets]