How Tech Works (2012–…): Season 2, Episode 5 - Episode #2.5 - full transcript
On this episode
of How Tech Works...
we'll check out a brilliant
addition to a tunnel
running alongside
a Belgian railway.
And...
we'll strike up
this musical band-in-a-ball
called the "Alpha Sphere."
Hello there, and welcome
to another jaw-dropping,
awe-inspiring edition
of How Tech Works!
My name is Dr. Basil Singer
and you're in for a real treat,
as this week
we travel all the way to China
to explore a rare bat cave,
home to the smallest bats
in the world.
We'll also take
the "ripped jeans" look
to crazy extremes.
But first...
It's no secret that Belgium
isn't exactly known
for its tropical climate,
But it is making the most
of the sun that it does get,
by catching the Sun's rays
with a spectacular
new installation,
called the "Solar Tunnel".
With it, they're powering trains
using solar energy
for the very first time.
Welcome to
Antwerp Central railway station,
one of Europe's most beautiful.
And now, one of the cleanest,
thanks to a little...
tunnel vision.
The solar tunnel concept
started about five years ago.
At that time,
an over ground tunnel
has been built,
alongside the highway
between Antwerp
and the Netherland border.
The construction
of this tunnel was mostly
because there was a natural
environment next to it,
so we had to protect it.
Afterwards,
we have seen that
we have here
50,000 square meters
of free space.
The perfect
amount of space
for 16 thousand solar panels.
You really have
that impression of an army
of solar panels on that roof.
It was the brainchild
of a team at Enfinity.
When it comes to harnessing
maximum power from the Sun,
they believe
the technology is there.
we just need to get creative
in how and where we use it.
The Sun is
a very powerful resource,
So you can gain and make
solar electricity
wherever you go.
On rooftops, on grounds,
on the North Pole.
Of course, you have
to take into account
the solar hours
you have on one year.
In Belgium for example, we have
about 900 solar hours per year,
which is more than enough.
Installing panels
on a tunnel seems simple enough.
But a 25 meters wide
and two miles long,
it's not your average rooftop.
It has a big bend in it.
That means that
the orientation of the modules
is not equal throughout
the entire project.
That means, when
your orientation is unequal,
that your electrical output
will be different
throughout different sections.
Another important issue
was safety.
Because of the limited width,
we had to start by installing
a safety rail of 3.4 km long.
On one side you have
the safety rail.
On the other side, 10 feet away,
you have the highway.
Third, is the logistical aspect.
Instead of supplying
all the materials,
we had a 3.4 km long
industrial site,
which had a continuous
on and off of materials,
people, etc.
So that was an extra challenge.
But not
the biggest challenge.
So we actually had to transfer
all the energy better
to four major inverters.
And from there to the closest
connection point,
which was more than 3 km away.
So we had to cross
all available plots,
both industrial and domestic,
with our huge cable
to connect to the high tension
network here in Belgium.
The installation
is a world's first.
And unique for more
than just its location.
There is no
storing of energy here.
We use it right away,
whether it is for the
infrastructure or the trains.
Every year,
33-hundred mega-watt-hours
power trains, signals, station
lighting and climate control.
This is
the same amount
of consumption, each year,
of about 1,000 houses.
We can also say
that this production of energy
can make 4,000 trains
run each year
on the Belgian railway.
That means that we would have
one day a year
with only trains
running on solar energy.
The majority
of trains in Belgium
already run on electricity,
but some still run
on old-fashioned diesel.
That energy
produces carbon dioxide.
And most of the time it is not
very good for the environment.
But here, with the solar tunnel,
we consider giving something
back to nature,
to the environment, because
we reduce carbon dioxide
each year, by 2,400 tons.
So that is a little amount,
but a little amount
for nature.
The panels
are monitored online.
The whole functioning of
the installation is monitored...
continuously.
So on a daily, weekly, monthly
scale, we see exactly
whether all the components
are functioning
and what their output is.
And if something
is wrong with the installation,
we get an alert and we are ready
to go with a technical team
to repair
what has to be repaired.
And they
have to be easy to clean.
Once a year
we pass by with water,
just to clean the solar panels
because there is a lot of dust
on solar panels.
And of course,
the more dust we have,
the less the efficiency
of the solar panels.
Infrabel runs
the Belgian train system,
and he believes
that the solar tunnel
is just the beginning
for their industry.
We consider
that this is again a solution
that we can offer
to people taking the train
that is a little bit more
the way they want,
for sustainable energy,
for sustainable transport.
And that is as a matter of fact
a bit of our duty.
The solar tunnel
is an amazing idea
that we might have a future,
not today,
but maybe in 50 years,
that many more vehicles,
not only trains,
but also cars,
and maybe airplanes,
could go and drive
on solar energy.
So let's dream.
And now,
let me turn your attention
to what could very well be
the future of music,
thanks to a truly captivating
gadget called the "AlphaSphere."
This device is like having
an entire orchestra
at your fingertips.
It opens up
all sorts of possibilities
for the one-man,
or one-woman, band.
No matter if your tastes run
from Mozart to Metallica.
Take a look.
The AlphaSphere is
a brand new
electronic musical instrument.
This is unlike
any instrument you've ever seen.
There's
a series of tactile pads
arranged in a modular fashion
in a sphere.
It's like having
a symphony at your disposal,
with the press of a pad.
Each of these
are pressure sensitive.
That means that
by pressing on the pads,
you can affect the timbre
of the note that's being played,
the way a sequence of drums
is arranged,
or you could change the volume.
Adam Place
invented the AlphaSphere
as a way to make
electronic music
a more "hands on" experience.
I just wanted to create
something that allowed
that range of expression
we can get out
of traditional instruments.
The distinctive shape is a case
of harmonizing form
with function.
It's just
a playable interface,
which I think is fun,
people respond to.
You don't necessarily
need to see all the pads,
but you can feel
your way around.
You don't play music
with your eyes.
Adam insists
that the AlphaSphere
will appeal
to all levels of musicians,
from children to professionals.
You can basically
start playing it and you'll get
a decent sound straight away.
We decided to put
that claim to the test.
My name is Catherine Marshall.
Rosalyn Montin.
Helen Warner.
I play the flute,
and I have been playing it
for 12 or 13 years now.
I play the violin.
I'm currently studying a BA
in music at Bristol University.
I've been playing the clarinet
for nearly 10 years
and I also play
the alto saxophone.
- Hi there.
- How's it going?
- Ok.
- Yeah, this is the AlphaSphere.
It's infinitely programmable.
See, there's a C major scale...
and up here we've got
a pentatonic scale.
You can record samples as well.
And do more interesting things
like Base sounds.
So who wants to have a go?
- I do.
- Yeah? Cool.
It's taken her
a decade to master the clarinet,
but in less than a minute,
Rosalyn is creating
simple melodies on the sphere.
That's amazing. Cool.
Next up is
Catherine the violinist.
It's nothing
like a violin.
But with just
a click of a button...
that's exactly
what it sounds like.
I love the way
it's so hands on,
like physically getting in there
and feeling like
I'm molding the sound.
It's really fun.
It's really weird,
not something I'm used to,
but it is really fun.
I don't think
anyone is used to it.
Much to Adam's delight,
the AlphaSphere
has passed the test,
winning over three
classically trained musicians
in just a little over an hour.
Now, he has got
an even bigger audience in mind.
There's nobody I think
that wouldn't enjoy playing it.
I think it's going to open up
musicality to people
that may have never realized
that they had
a musicality before.
There's lots more
How Tech Works
coming your way.
Welcome back to How Tech Works.
I'm Basil Singer.
We take you now to a labyrinth
of limestone caves,
next to the Yangtze river.
And naturally, How Tech Works
resident "Bat-Man", Dan Riskin,
is just the reporter
for the job.
His task?
To find out what we can learn
about sonar technology
from the rare horseshoe bat.
But first he has got to catch
the little critters!
The horseshoe bat
has been called
"the ugliest bat in the world."
This little guy
with the crazy face
is actually a scientific wonder.
It's his one of a kind face
gives him a one of a kind sound.
I've come to China to see bats
and I'm not leaving
until I catch one of them.
So, I've brought in
some reinforcements.
We have a lot
to learn from bats
and we can use the insights
that we get from them
to build miniature
sonar systems.
If we do find
one of these
little Frankenstein-y bats,
he's got some questions.
I have a scientific question
no one has ever looked into.
The noseleaf of this animal
is like a tiny megaphone.
So I want to know if the walls
of the megaphone are moving
while the sound
is coming out of the bat.
So, you mean they might be
moving that whole horseshoe
while they shout out
their echolocation.
Nobody knows if they do that?
Nobody knows that yet,
but we are going to find out.
Hopefully
all these "horseshoes"
will bring us good luck.
I think we're gonna need it.
Did you see
any bats in there?
I saw a couple but they were
way up in the cracks
This cave
is part of the largest cluster
of limestone caves
north of the Yantgze river.
It's a three million year old
labyrinth.
It's clear, let's maybe go back
to the other part of the cave.
A labyrinth
with some very funky lighting...
What is up with this cave?
I bet I can tell you why
we haven't found any bats yet.
Ok, I should explain
about the disco lights.
See, locals
visit this cave regularly
and it's actually
a bit of a tourist attraction.
They needed a way
to light the cave up
so flashing neon lights somehow
seemed like the way to do that.
They're not easy to catch.
One of the great things
about bats
is how maneuverable they are.
But that's not so great when
you're trying to catch them.
Ok, I don't want
to rain on your parade,
but I'm not seeing
any bats at all.
What are we going to do?
I think we're going to bring in
a high tech remedy
for your frustration.
You are an engineer.
- Yes, here is the bat detector.
- The bat detector.
I love that there is something
called a "bat detector."
The bat detector
picks up the ultrasonic noises
that the bats emit, and makes it
audible for our ears.
Bats make lots of noises,
you can hear them if you go into
a barn or a cave, but that's
bats talking to each other
and communicating.
Echolocation is different,
that's for sensing
the environment,
and that's high pitched.
We can't hear that
without specialized machinery.
Yes, that is a bat!
Now I can hear them,
but I still can't see them.
Yeah.
Welcome to Bat City.
- How many did you get, Rolf?
- Zero.
I beat you. I got one.
This is
what we've been looking for.
God. Look at that bat.
Beautiful!
It's
Rhinolophus Pusillus,
a tiny horseshoe bat
that's going to answer
our burning question.
Does his noseleaf vibrate
when he echolocates?
Rolf's lab
at Shandong University
in Jinan, China,
is where one of the weirdest
bats in the world
is poised to make
bat research history.
First we put
our little bat in a snuggie
to keep him
comfortable and still
so the laser beam
can detect any vibrations.
He gets a dab of make up
so the laser reflects properly.
And then, it's show time.
It's the blue line on the screen
that we're watching.
If it pulses, we're in business.
Look at this.
That was it.
-What's that?
-Look at the bottom trace.
There you see it.
Ok, so the upper one
is the sound,
and the lower one is what?
The nose moving?
It's the vibration of noseleaf,
and you see it happens together.
So what does that mean?
It means the noseleaf is moving
while the sound
is bouncing off the structure.
-Wow, so there it is!
-Yes! Biosonar research history.
The discovery
of this fascinating ability
of the horseshoe bat could lead
to a better understanding
of their amazing sonar abilities
and future sonar technologies.
At the very least, it explains
the face only a mother,
or a very passionate
bat biologist, could love.
Our last story today takes us
on a quest to North Carolina,
to get to the bottom
of an inventive idea.
And when I say "bottom,"
I really mean... well...
let's just say
the inventors of these jeans,
take "product testing"
to some interesting places
like along the hot motorway.
Talk about
putting your butt on the line.
A friend will go down in a pair
of Draggin Jeans and say,
"Holy cow,
I really saved some skin,
I know these things work!"
We're talking
about dungarees for bikers.
But these aren't
your average pair of jeans.
It was Hal's baby
from the start,
he had always wanted something
a lot more comfortable
than leathers.
It's too hot in the South;
nobody wants to wear them.
Back in the early to mid-90's
there was no
casual motorcycle apparel.
It was full leather,
there were bright colors,
red, blue and the fully
armored racing leather,
and he thought, "There's got
to be a way to have
protective, casual apparel
that you can ride in,
be safe and it's affordable."
Megan Baxter
has followed her dad's dream,
with a love for riding
and a mind for business.
They start out with
a Kevlar goo, I suppose,
and it's turned into thread,
and then from there they take
the thread and knit it.
Kevlar goo.
Who knew that the secret
inside these jeans
is a superhero liner,
in the seat and in the knees.
It's meant to withstand
the heat and speed
of a tarmac wipeout.
Megan's dad Hal came up
with the idea 15 years ago.
Once he had the jeans
developed, the prototype,
he tried putting sandbags
to be dragged behind the truck,
he tried fruit, but nothing
truly simulates the body
like the human form,
so he said, "Well,
throw me behind the truck and
we'll see what happens."
And that's kind of how
the drag tech started,
and it was so successful,
and it was just
such a cool concept
that we were willing
to put our butts on the line
to show our product works.
So that's
what they continue to do,
every year and with every model.
Today, Travis
is about to be dragged.
Helmet secure,
boots tethered to the hitch
and gloves tight
around the reins.
It's time to rip!
Now we'll check
the damage on the Kevlar.
It's barely touched
the Kevlar at all.
It saved him some serious skin,
seam is still intact,
and everything looks great.
A new pair of jeans,
and Travis saddles up again.
This time trying for faster,
further, and...
the tarmac is hot!
I could tell it was
faster, got a little bit warmer.
Pretty ripped denim
but no exposure.
We got little
tumbleweeds of denim.
The kevlar saves
Travis some serious pain.
Part of our patent
is the knit we use,
the little loops
actually face out,
and it actually enhances
the abrasion protection
that the Kevlar
already provides.
Most of the super strong
and super light miracle fabric
comes from a manufacturer
in Tennessee.
We started out
with Keprotech,
which is a lycra-kevlar blend.
We found that 100% Kevlar was
more abrasion protective.
So the Kevlar
is custom knitted
and crafted into wearable forms.
When you
first put them on
you're gonna feel the Kevlar
on the knees and the seat.
After wearing them
for 5 or 10 minutes,
you completely forget
there's Kevlar on them.
One final test for Travis.
Solid success.
To take it further,
the "Queen City Bikers" put
these threads to the test.
I didn't even
think twice about it,
they just felt
like normal jeans I ride in.
I used to ride in leathers
and I'd just rather not ride,
that's how hot they were.
Hal would be
really proud.
15 years ago he put
his butt on the line,
and now hundreds of thousands
of pairs of jeans later,
he's dragging riders with him
all over the world.
What's your skin worth?
I'd rather have a hundred
something dollar pair of jeans
instead of 5 thousand dollars
worth of skin grafts.
Thank you very much
for watching How Tech Works.
I'm Basil Singer.
See you next time.
of How Tech Works...
we'll check out a brilliant
addition to a tunnel
running alongside
a Belgian railway.
And...
we'll strike up
this musical band-in-a-ball
called the "Alpha Sphere."
Hello there, and welcome
to another jaw-dropping,
awe-inspiring edition
of How Tech Works!
My name is Dr. Basil Singer
and you're in for a real treat,
as this week
we travel all the way to China
to explore a rare bat cave,
home to the smallest bats
in the world.
We'll also take
the "ripped jeans" look
to crazy extremes.
But first...
It's no secret that Belgium
isn't exactly known
for its tropical climate,
But it is making the most
of the sun that it does get,
by catching the Sun's rays
with a spectacular
new installation,
called the "Solar Tunnel".
With it, they're powering trains
using solar energy
for the very first time.
Welcome to
Antwerp Central railway station,
one of Europe's most beautiful.
And now, one of the cleanest,
thanks to a little...
tunnel vision.
The solar tunnel concept
started about five years ago.
At that time,
an over ground tunnel
has been built,
alongside the highway
between Antwerp
and the Netherland border.
The construction
of this tunnel was mostly
because there was a natural
environment next to it,
so we had to protect it.
Afterwards,
we have seen that
we have here
50,000 square meters
of free space.
The perfect
amount of space
for 16 thousand solar panels.
You really have
that impression of an army
of solar panels on that roof.
It was the brainchild
of a team at Enfinity.
When it comes to harnessing
maximum power from the Sun,
they believe
the technology is there.
we just need to get creative
in how and where we use it.
The Sun is
a very powerful resource,
So you can gain and make
solar electricity
wherever you go.
On rooftops, on grounds,
on the North Pole.
Of course, you have
to take into account
the solar hours
you have on one year.
In Belgium for example, we have
about 900 solar hours per year,
which is more than enough.
Installing panels
on a tunnel seems simple enough.
But a 25 meters wide
and two miles long,
it's not your average rooftop.
It has a big bend in it.
That means that
the orientation of the modules
is not equal throughout
the entire project.
That means, when
your orientation is unequal,
that your electrical output
will be different
throughout different sections.
Another important issue
was safety.
Because of the limited width,
we had to start by installing
a safety rail of 3.4 km long.
On one side you have
the safety rail.
On the other side, 10 feet away,
you have the highway.
Third, is the logistical aspect.
Instead of supplying
all the materials,
we had a 3.4 km long
industrial site,
which had a continuous
on and off of materials,
people, etc.
So that was an extra challenge.
But not
the biggest challenge.
So we actually had to transfer
all the energy better
to four major inverters.
And from there to the closest
connection point,
which was more than 3 km away.
So we had to cross
all available plots,
both industrial and domestic,
with our huge cable
to connect to the high tension
network here in Belgium.
The installation
is a world's first.
And unique for more
than just its location.
There is no
storing of energy here.
We use it right away,
whether it is for the
infrastructure or the trains.
Every year,
33-hundred mega-watt-hours
power trains, signals, station
lighting and climate control.
This is
the same amount
of consumption, each year,
of about 1,000 houses.
We can also say
that this production of energy
can make 4,000 trains
run each year
on the Belgian railway.
That means that we would have
one day a year
with only trains
running on solar energy.
The majority
of trains in Belgium
already run on electricity,
but some still run
on old-fashioned diesel.
That energy
produces carbon dioxide.
And most of the time it is not
very good for the environment.
But here, with the solar tunnel,
we consider giving something
back to nature,
to the environment, because
we reduce carbon dioxide
each year, by 2,400 tons.
So that is a little amount,
but a little amount
for nature.
The panels
are monitored online.
The whole functioning of
the installation is monitored...
continuously.
So on a daily, weekly, monthly
scale, we see exactly
whether all the components
are functioning
and what their output is.
And if something
is wrong with the installation,
we get an alert and we are ready
to go with a technical team
to repair
what has to be repaired.
And they
have to be easy to clean.
Once a year
we pass by with water,
just to clean the solar panels
because there is a lot of dust
on solar panels.
And of course,
the more dust we have,
the less the efficiency
of the solar panels.
Infrabel runs
the Belgian train system,
and he believes
that the solar tunnel
is just the beginning
for their industry.
We consider
that this is again a solution
that we can offer
to people taking the train
that is a little bit more
the way they want,
for sustainable energy,
for sustainable transport.
And that is as a matter of fact
a bit of our duty.
The solar tunnel
is an amazing idea
that we might have a future,
not today,
but maybe in 50 years,
that many more vehicles,
not only trains,
but also cars,
and maybe airplanes,
could go and drive
on solar energy.
So let's dream.
And now,
let me turn your attention
to what could very well be
the future of music,
thanks to a truly captivating
gadget called the "AlphaSphere."
This device is like having
an entire orchestra
at your fingertips.
It opens up
all sorts of possibilities
for the one-man,
or one-woman, band.
No matter if your tastes run
from Mozart to Metallica.
Take a look.
The AlphaSphere is
a brand new
electronic musical instrument.
This is unlike
any instrument you've ever seen.
There's
a series of tactile pads
arranged in a modular fashion
in a sphere.
It's like having
a symphony at your disposal,
with the press of a pad.
Each of these
are pressure sensitive.
That means that
by pressing on the pads,
you can affect the timbre
of the note that's being played,
the way a sequence of drums
is arranged,
or you could change the volume.
Adam Place
invented the AlphaSphere
as a way to make
electronic music
a more "hands on" experience.
I just wanted to create
something that allowed
that range of expression
we can get out
of traditional instruments.
The distinctive shape is a case
of harmonizing form
with function.
It's just
a playable interface,
which I think is fun,
people respond to.
You don't necessarily
need to see all the pads,
but you can feel
your way around.
You don't play music
with your eyes.
Adam insists
that the AlphaSphere
will appeal
to all levels of musicians,
from children to professionals.
You can basically
start playing it and you'll get
a decent sound straight away.
We decided to put
that claim to the test.
My name is Catherine Marshall.
Rosalyn Montin.
Helen Warner.
I play the flute,
and I have been playing it
for 12 or 13 years now.
I play the violin.
I'm currently studying a BA
in music at Bristol University.
I've been playing the clarinet
for nearly 10 years
and I also play
the alto saxophone.
- Hi there.
- How's it going?
- Ok.
- Yeah, this is the AlphaSphere.
It's infinitely programmable.
See, there's a C major scale...
and up here we've got
a pentatonic scale.
You can record samples as well.
And do more interesting things
like Base sounds.
So who wants to have a go?
- I do.
- Yeah? Cool.
It's taken her
a decade to master the clarinet,
but in less than a minute,
Rosalyn is creating
simple melodies on the sphere.
That's amazing. Cool.
Next up is
Catherine the violinist.
It's nothing
like a violin.
But with just
a click of a button...
that's exactly
what it sounds like.
I love the way
it's so hands on,
like physically getting in there
and feeling like
I'm molding the sound.
It's really fun.
It's really weird,
not something I'm used to,
but it is really fun.
I don't think
anyone is used to it.
Much to Adam's delight,
the AlphaSphere
has passed the test,
winning over three
classically trained musicians
in just a little over an hour.
Now, he has got
an even bigger audience in mind.
There's nobody I think
that wouldn't enjoy playing it.
I think it's going to open up
musicality to people
that may have never realized
that they had
a musicality before.
There's lots more
How Tech Works
coming your way.
Welcome back to How Tech Works.
I'm Basil Singer.
We take you now to a labyrinth
of limestone caves,
next to the Yangtze river.
And naturally, How Tech Works
resident "Bat-Man", Dan Riskin,
is just the reporter
for the job.
His task?
To find out what we can learn
about sonar technology
from the rare horseshoe bat.
But first he has got to catch
the little critters!
The horseshoe bat
has been called
"the ugliest bat in the world."
This little guy
with the crazy face
is actually a scientific wonder.
It's his one of a kind face
gives him a one of a kind sound.
I've come to China to see bats
and I'm not leaving
until I catch one of them.
So, I've brought in
some reinforcements.
We have a lot
to learn from bats
and we can use the insights
that we get from them
to build miniature
sonar systems.
If we do find
one of these
little Frankenstein-y bats,
he's got some questions.
I have a scientific question
no one has ever looked into.
The noseleaf of this animal
is like a tiny megaphone.
So I want to know if the walls
of the megaphone are moving
while the sound
is coming out of the bat.
So, you mean they might be
moving that whole horseshoe
while they shout out
their echolocation.
Nobody knows if they do that?
Nobody knows that yet,
but we are going to find out.
Hopefully
all these "horseshoes"
will bring us good luck.
I think we're gonna need it.
Did you see
any bats in there?
I saw a couple but they were
way up in the cracks
This cave
is part of the largest cluster
of limestone caves
north of the Yantgze river.
It's a three million year old
labyrinth.
It's clear, let's maybe go back
to the other part of the cave.
A labyrinth
with some very funky lighting...
What is up with this cave?
I bet I can tell you why
we haven't found any bats yet.
Ok, I should explain
about the disco lights.
See, locals
visit this cave regularly
and it's actually
a bit of a tourist attraction.
They needed a way
to light the cave up
so flashing neon lights somehow
seemed like the way to do that.
They're not easy to catch.
One of the great things
about bats
is how maneuverable they are.
But that's not so great when
you're trying to catch them.
Ok, I don't want
to rain on your parade,
but I'm not seeing
any bats at all.
What are we going to do?
I think we're going to bring in
a high tech remedy
for your frustration.
You are an engineer.
- Yes, here is the bat detector.
- The bat detector.
I love that there is something
called a "bat detector."
The bat detector
picks up the ultrasonic noises
that the bats emit, and makes it
audible for our ears.
Bats make lots of noises,
you can hear them if you go into
a barn or a cave, but that's
bats talking to each other
and communicating.
Echolocation is different,
that's for sensing
the environment,
and that's high pitched.
We can't hear that
without specialized machinery.
Yes, that is a bat!
Now I can hear them,
but I still can't see them.
Yeah.
Welcome to Bat City.
- How many did you get, Rolf?
- Zero.
I beat you. I got one.
This is
what we've been looking for.
God. Look at that bat.
Beautiful!
It's
Rhinolophus Pusillus,
a tiny horseshoe bat
that's going to answer
our burning question.
Does his noseleaf vibrate
when he echolocates?
Rolf's lab
at Shandong University
in Jinan, China,
is where one of the weirdest
bats in the world
is poised to make
bat research history.
First we put
our little bat in a snuggie
to keep him
comfortable and still
so the laser beam
can detect any vibrations.
He gets a dab of make up
so the laser reflects properly.
And then, it's show time.
It's the blue line on the screen
that we're watching.
If it pulses, we're in business.
Look at this.
That was it.
-What's that?
-Look at the bottom trace.
There you see it.
Ok, so the upper one
is the sound,
and the lower one is what?
The nose moving?
It's the vibration of noseleaf,
and you see it happens together.
So what does that mean?
It means the noseleaf is moving
while the sound
is bouncing off the structure.
-Wow, so there it is!
-Yes! Biosonar research history.
The discovery
of this fascinating ability
of the horseshoe bat could lead
to a better understanding
of their amazing sonar abilities
and future sonar technologies.
At the very least, it explains
the face only a mother,
or a very passionate
bat biologist, could love.
Our last story today takes us
on a quest to North Carolina,
to get to the bottom
of an inventive idea.
And when I say "bottom,"
I really mean... well...
let's just say
the inventors of these jeans,
take "product testing"
to some interesting places
like along the hot motorway.
Talk about
putting your butt on the line.
A friend will go down in a pair
of Draggin Jeans and say,
"Holy cow,
I really saved some skin,
I know these things work!"
We're talking
about dungarees for bikers.
But these aren't
your average pair of jeans.
It was Hal's baby
from the start,
he had always wanted something
a lot more comfortable
than leathers.
It's too hot in the South;
nobody wants to wear them.
Back in the early to mid-90's
there was no
casual motorcycle apparel.
It was full leather,
there were bright colors,
red, blue and the fully
armored racing leather,
and he thought, "There's got
to be a way to have
protective, casual apparel
that you can ride in,
be safe and it's affordable."
Megan Baxter
has followed her dad's dream,
with a love for riding
and a mind for business.
They start out with
a Kevlar goo, I suppose,
and it's turned into thread,
and then from there they take
the thread and knit it.
Kevlar goo.
Who knew that the secret
inside these jeans
is a superhero liner,
in the seat and in the knees.
It's meant to withstand
the heat and speed
of a tarmac wipeout.
Megan's dad Hal came up
with the idea 15 years ago.
Once he had the jeans
developed, the prototype,
he tried putting sandbags
to be dragged behind the truck,
he tried fruit, but nothing
truly simulates the body
like the human form,
so he said, "Well,
throw me behind the truck and
we'll see what happens."
And that's kind of how
the drag tech started,
and it was so successful,
and it was just
such a cool concept
that we were willing
to put our butts on the line
to show our product works.
So that's
what they continue to do,
every year and with every model.
Today, Travis
is about to be dragged.
Helmet secure,
boots tethered to the hitch
and gloves tight
around the reins.
It's time to rip!
Now we'll check
the damage on the Kevlar.
It's barely touched
the Kevlar at all.
It saved him some serious skin,
seam is still intact,
and everything looks great.
A new pair of jeans,
and Travis saddles up again.
This time trying for faster,
further, and...
the tarmac is hot!
I could tell it was
faster, got a little bit warmer.
Pretty ripped denim
but no exposure.
We got little
tumbleweeds of denim.
The kevlar saves
Travis some serious pain.
Part of our patent
is the knit we use,
the little loops
actually face out,
and it actually enhances
the abrasion protection
that the Kevlar
already provides.
Most of the super strong
and super light miracle fabric
comes from a manufacturer
in Tennessee.
We started out
with Keprotech,
which is a lycra-kevlar blend.
We found that 100% Kevlar was
more abrasion protective.
So the Kevlar
is custom knitted
and crafted into wearable forms.
When you
first put them on
you're gonna feel the Kevlar
on the knees and the seat.
After wearing them
for 5 or 10 minutes,
you completely forget
there's Kevlar on them.
One final test for Travis.
Solid success.
To take it further,
the "Queen City Bikers" put
these threads to the test.
I didn't even
think twice about it,
they just felt
like normal jeans I ride in.
I used to ride in leathers
and I'd just rather not ride,
that's how hot they were.
Hal would be
really proud.
15 years ago he put
his butt on the line,
and now hundreds of thousands
of pairs of jeans later,
he's dragging riders with him
all over the world.
What's your skin worth?
I'd rather have a hundred
something dollar pair of jeans
instead of 5 thousand dollars
worth of skin grafts.
Thank you very much
for watching How Tech Works.
I'm Basil Singer.
See you next time.