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[narrator] On this episode
of How Tech Works...
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00:00:10,005 --> 00:00:12,774
we’ll check out a brilliant
addition to a tunnel
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00:00:12,908 --> 00:00:15,077
running alongside
a Belgian railway.
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[train whistles]
[narrator] And...
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00:00:16,545 --> 00:00:19,715
we'll strike up
this musical band-in-a-ball
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00:00:19,815 --> 00:00:21,416
called the "Alpha Sphere."
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[intro music]
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Hello there, and welcome
to another jaw-dropping,
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00:00:40,736 --> 00:00:43,438
awe-inspiring edition
of How Tech Works!
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00:00:43,505 --> 00:00:45,407
My name is Dr. Basil Singer
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and you’re in for a real treat,
as this week
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00:00:48,443 --> 00:00:52,848
we travel all the way to China
to explore a rare bat cave,
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home to the smallest bats
in the world.
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We’ll also take
the “ripped jeans” look
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to crazy extremes.
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But first...
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It’s no secret that Belgium
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isn't exactly known
for its tropical climate,
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But it is making the most
of the sun that it does get,
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by catching the Sun's rays
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with a spectacular
new installation,
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called the "Solar Tunnel".
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With it, they're powering trains
using solar energy
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for the very first time.
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[narrator] Welcome to
Antwerp Central railway station,
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one of Europe’s most beautiful.
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And now, one of the cleanest,
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thanks to a little...
tunnel vision.
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[man] The solar tunnel concept
started about five years ago.
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At that time,
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an over ground tunnel
has been built,
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alongside the highway
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between Antwerp
and the Netherland border.
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The construction
of this tunnel was mostly
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because there was a natural
environment next to it,
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so we had to protect it.
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[woman] Afterwards,
we have seen that
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we have here
50,000 square meters
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of free space.
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[narrator] The perfect
amount of space
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for 16 thousand solar panels.
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You really have
that impression of an army
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of solar panels on that roof.
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[narrator] It was the brainchild
of a team at Enfinity.
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When it comes to harnessing
maximum power from the Sun,
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they believe
the technology is there.
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we just need to get creative
in how and where we use it.
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[man] The Sun is
a very powerful resource,
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So you can gain and make
solar electricity
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wherever you go.
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On rooftops, on grounds,
on the North Pole.
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Of course, you have
to take into account
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the solar hours
you have on one year.
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In Belgium for example, we have
about 900 solar hours per year,
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which is more than enough.
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[narrator] Installing panels
on a tunnel seems simple enough.
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But a 25 meters wide
and two miles long,
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it’s not your average rooftop.
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[man] It has a big bend in it.
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That means that
the orientation of the modules
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is not equal throughout
the entire project.
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That means, when
your orientation is unequal,
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that your electrical output
will be different
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throughout different sections.
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[man] Another important issue
was safety.
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Because of the limited width,
we had to start by installing
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a safety rail of 3.4 km long.
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On one side you have
the safety rail.
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On the other side, 10 feet away,
you have the highway.
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Third, is the logistical aspect.
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Instead of supplying
all the materials,
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we had a 3.4 km long
industrial site,
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which had a continuous
on and off of materials,
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people, etc.
So that was an extra challenge.
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[narrator] But not
the biggest challenge.
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So we actually had to transfer
all the energy better
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to four major inverters.
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And from there to the closest
connection point,
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which was more than 3 km away.
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So we had to cross
all available plots,
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both industrial and domestic,
with our huge cable
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to connect to the high tension
network here in Belgium.
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[narrator] The installation
is a world’s first.
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And unique for more
than just its location.
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There is no
storing of energy here.
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We use it right away,
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whether it is for the
infrastructure or the trains.
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[train whistles]
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[narrator] Every year,
33-hundred mega-watt-hours
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power trains, signals, station
lighting and climate control.
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[woman] This is
the same amount
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of consumption, each year,
of about 1,000 houses.
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We can also say
that this production of energy
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can make 4,000 trains
run each year
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on the Belgian railway.
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That means that we would have
one day a year
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with only trains
running on solar energy.
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[narrator] The majority
of trains in Belgium
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already run on electricity,
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but some still run
on old-fashioned diesel.
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[woman] That energy
produces carbon dioxide.
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And most of the time it is not
very good for the environment.
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But here, with the solar tunnel,
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we consider giving something
back to nature,
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to the environment, because
we reduce carbon dioxide
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each year, by 2,400 tons.
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So that is a little amount,
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but a little amount
for nature.
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[narrator] The panels
are monitored online.
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[man] The whole functioning of
the installation is monitored...
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continuously.
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So on a daily, weekly, monthly
scale, we see exactly
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whether all the components
are functioning
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and what their output is.
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[man] And if something
is wrong with the installation,
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we get an alert and we are ready
to go with a technical team
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to repair
what has to be repaired.
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[narrator] And they
have to be easy to clean.
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[man] Once a year
we pass by with water,
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just to clean the solar panels
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because there is a lot of dust
on solar panels.
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And of course,
the more dust we have,
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the less the efficiency
of the solar panels.
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[narrator] Infrabel runs
the Belgian train system,
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and he believes
that the solar tunnel
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is just the beginning
for their industry.
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[woman] We consider
that this is again a solution
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that we can offer
to people taking the train
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that is a little bit more
the way they want,
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for sustainable energy,
for sustainable transport.
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And that is as a matter of fact
a bit of our duty.
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[man] The solar tunnel
is an amazing idea
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that we might have a future,
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not today,
but maybe in 50 years,
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that many more vehicles,
not only trains,
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but also cars,
and maybe airplanes,
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could go and drive
on solar energy.
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So let’s dream.
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[futuristic music]
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And now,
let me turn your attention
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to what could very well be
the future of music,
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thanks to a truly captivating
gadget called the "AlphaSphere."
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This device is like having
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an entire orchestra
at your fingertips.
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It opens up
all sorts of possibilities
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for the one-man,
or one-woman, band.
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No matter if your tastes run
from Mozart to Metallica.
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Take a look.
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[guitar-like music]
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[Adam] The AlphaSphere is
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a brand new
electronic musical instrument.
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[narrator] This is unlike
any instrument you’ve ever seen.
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[[Adam] There’s
a series of tactile pads
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arranged in a modular fashion
in a sphere.
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[narrator] It’s like having
a symphony at your disposal,
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with the press of a pad.
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[[Adam] Each of these
are pressure sensitive.
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That means that
by pressing on the pads,
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you can affect the timbre
of the note that's being played,
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the way a sequence of drums
is arranged,
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or you could change the volume.
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[electronic music]
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[narrator] Adam Place
invented the AlphaSphere
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as a way to make
electronic music
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a more “hands on” experience.
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[Adam] I just wanted to create
something that allowed
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that range of expression
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we can get out
of traditional instruments.
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[narrator]
The distinctive shape is a case
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of harmonizing form
with function.
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[Adam] It’s just
a playable interface,
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which I think is fun,
people respond to.
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You don’t necessarily
need to see all the pads,
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but you can feel
your way around.
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You don’t play music
with your eyes.
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[narrator] Adam insists
that the AlphaSphere
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will appeal
to all levels of musicians,
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from children to professionals.
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[Adam] You can basically
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start playing it and you’ll get
a decent sound straight away.
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[narrator] We decided to put
that claim to the test.
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[violin music]
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My name is Catherine Marshall.
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[clarinet playing]
Rosalyn Montin.
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[flute music]
Helen Warner.
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I play the flute,
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and I have been playing it
for 12 or 13 years now.
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[Catherine] I play the violin.
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I’m currently studying a BA
in music at Bristol University.
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I’ve been playing the clarinet
for nearly 10 years
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and I also play
the alto saxophone.
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[alto saxophone notes]
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[dreamy futuristic tones]
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-[girls] Hi there.
-[Adam] How's it going?
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-[Helen] Ok.
-Yeah, this is the AlphaSphere.
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It’s infinitely programmable.
See, there's a C major scale...
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[plays music scale]
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[Adam] and up here we've got
a pentatonic scale.
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[plays a shorter music scale]
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You can record samples as well.
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[different electronic sounds]
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And do more interesting things
like Base sounds.
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[electronic music]
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So who wants to have a go?
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-I do. [laughs]
-Yeah? Cool.
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[narrator] It’s taken her
a decade to master the clarinet,
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but in less than a minute,
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Rosalyn is creating
simple melodies on the sphere.
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[futuristic melody]
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[drum-like music]
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That’s amazing. Cool.
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[upbeat music base]
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[indistinct chatter]
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[narrator] Next up is
Catherine the violinist.
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[Catherine] It’s nothing
like a violin. [laughs]
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[narrator] But with just
a click of a button...
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[violin notes]
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that’s exactly
what it sounds like.
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00:10:23,185 --> 00:10:27,155
[violin-like music continues]
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[Catherine] I love the way
it’s so hands on,
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00:10:29,725 --> 00:10:31,393
like physically getting in there
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and feeling like
I’m molding the sound.
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[random notes]
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[laughs] It’s really fun.
It’s really weird,
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00:10:39,101 --> 00:10:41,603
not something I’m used to,
but it is really fun. [giggles]
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[Adam] I don’t think
anyone is used to it.
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[girls laugh and cheer]
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[music continues playing]
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[narrator]
Much to Adam’s delight,
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the AlphaSphere
has passed the test,
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00:10:50,812 --> 00:10:53,348
winning over three
classically trained musicians
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in just a little over an hour.
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00:10:55,250 --> 00:10:58,921
[random electronic music]
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[narrator] Now, he has got
an even bigger audience in mind.
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00:11:02,991 --> 00:11:06,828
[Adam] There’s nobody I think
that wouldn’t enjoy playing it.
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I think it’s going to open up
musicality to people
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that may have never realized
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00:11:11,300 --> 00:11:13,602
that they had
a musicality before.
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[soft electronic music]
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00:11:20,008 --> 00:11:21,944
There’s lots more
How Tech Works
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coming your way.
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00:11:24,446 --> 00:11:27,549
[soft vibrant music]
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Welcome back to How Tech Works.
I’m Basil Singer.
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We take you now to a labyrinth
of limestone caves,
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next to the Yangtze river.
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And naturally, How Tech Works
resident “Bat-Man”, Dan Riskin,
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00:11:43,165 --> 00:11:45,434
is just the reporter
for the job.
248
00:11:45,601 --> 00:11:46,602
His task?
249
00:11:46,768 --> 00:11:50,372
To find out what we can learn
about sonar technology
250
00:11:50,439 --> 00:11:52,374
from the rare horseshoe bat.
251
00:11:52,474 --> 00:11:55,644
But first he has got to catch
the little critters!
252
00:11:56,311 --> 00:11:59,081
[bat screeching]
253
00:11:59,248 --> 00:12:01,083
[narrator] The horseshoe bat
has been called
254
00:12:01,149 --> 00:12:03,151
"the ugliest bat in the world."
255
00:12:03,785 --> 00:12:05,454
This little guy
with the crazy face
256
00:12:05,521 --> 00:12:07,990
is actually a scientific wonder.
257
00:12:08,257 --> 00:12:11,927
It’s his one of a kind face
gives him a one of a kind sound.
258
00:12:12,060 --> 00:12:13,862
[bat screeches]
259
00:12:14,563 --> 00:12:16,532
I’ve come to China to see bats
260
00:12:16,598 --> 00:12:18,734
and I’m not leaving
until I catch one of them.
261
00:12:19,201 --> 00:12:21,203
So, I’ve brought in
some reinforcements.
262
00:12:21,370 --> 00:12:23,906
[upbeat music]
263
00:12:24,006 --> 00:12:25,541
[Rolf] We have a lot
to learn from bats
264
00:12:25,874 --> 00:12:29,244
and we can use the insights
that we get from them
265
00:12:29,478 --> 00:12:31,480
to build miniature
sonar systems.
266
00:12:31,680 --> 00:12:32,915
[narrator] If we do find
one of these
267
00:12:32,981 --> 00:12:36,118
little Frankenstein-y bats,
he’s got some questions.
268
00:12:37,452 --> 00:12:40,656
I have a scientific question
no one has ever looked into.
269
00:12:41,190 --> 00:12:44,493
The noseleaf of this animal
is like a tiny megaphone.
270
00:12:44,927 --> 00:12:48,964
So I want to know if the walls
of the megaphone are moving
271
00:12:49,298 --> 00:12:51,033
while the sound
is coming out of the bat.
272
00:12:51,567 --> 00:12:54,837
So, you mean they might be
moving that whole horseshoe
273
00:12:54,903 --> 00:12:57,072
while they shout out
their echolocation.
274
00:12:57,139 --> 00:12:58,440
Nobody knows if they do that?
275
00:12:58,774 --> 00:13:01,476
Nobody knows that yet,
but we are going to find out.
276
00:13:01,610 --> 00:13:03,312
[upbeat music]
277
00:13:03,378 --> 00:13:05,113
[narrator] Hopefully
all these “horseshoes”
278
00:13:05,180 --> 00:13:06,181
will bring us good luck.
279
00:13:06,548 --> 00:13:08,116
I think we’re gonna need it.
280
00:13:08,350 --> 00:13:09,651
[Rolf] Did you see
any bats in there?
281
00:13:09,718 --> 00:13:13,155
I saw a couple but they were
way up in the cracks
282
00:13:15,524 --> 00:13:17,492
[narrator] This cave
is part of the largest cluster
283
00:13:17,559 --> 00:13:20,028
of limestone caves
north of the Yantgze river.
284
00:13:20,495 --> 00:13:22,998
It’s a three million year old
labyrinth.
285
00:13:23,065 --> 00:13:25,067
It's clear, let's maybe go back
to the other part of the cave.
286
00:13:25,400 --> 00:13:28,403
[narrator] A labyrinth
with some very funky lighting...
287
00:13:29,004 --> 00:13:30,806
[soft upbeat music]
288
00:13:30,873 --> 00:13:32,941
What is up with this cave?
[laughs]
289
00:13:33,442 --> 00:13:35,777
I bet I can tell you why
we haven't found any bats yet.
290
00:13:36,144 --> 00:13:38,614
[narrator] Ok, I should explain
about the disco lights.
291
00:13:39,014 --> 00:13:41,149
See, locals
visit this cave regularly
292
00:13:41,216 --> 00:13:43,318
and it’s actually
a bit of a tourist attraction.
293
00:13:43,519 --> 00:13:45,587
They needed a way
to light the cave up
294
00:13:45,654 --> 00:13:49,324
so flashing neon lights somehow
seemed like the way to do that.
295
00:13:51,627 --> 00:13:53,061
They're not easy to catch.
296
00:13:53,595 --> 00:13:54,796
One of the great things
about bats
297
00:13:54,863 --> 00:13:56,131
is how maneuverable they are.
298
00:13:57,099 --> 00:13:59,434
But that's not so great when
you’re trying to catch them.
299
00:13:59,768 --> 00:14:01,904
Ok, I don’t want
to rain on your parade,
300
00:14:01,970 --> 00:14:04,406
but I’m not seeing
any bats at all.
301
00:14:04,506 --> 00:14:05,541
What are we going to do?
302
00:14:05,707 --> 00:14:08,043
I think we're going to bring in
a high tech remedy
303
00:14:08,110 --> 00:14:09,178
for your frustration.
304
00:14:09,244 --> 00:14:10,345
You are an engineer.
305
00:14:10,579 --> 00:14:13,582
-Yes, here is the bat detector.
-Ah, the bat detector.
306
00:14:13,649 --> 00:14:15,851
I love that there is something
called a "bat detector."
307
00:14:16,084 --> 00:14:18,687
[narrator] The bat detector
picks up the ultrasonic noises
308
00:14:18,754 --> 00:14:21,690
that the bats emit, and makes it
audible for our ears.
309
00:14:21,790 --> 00:14:24,359
Bats make lots of noises,
you can hear them if you go into
310
00:14:24,426 --> 00:14:27,262
a barn or a cave, but that’s
bats talking to each other
311
00:14:27,362 --> 00:14:28,397
and communicating.
312
00:14:28,463 --> 00:14:29,665
Echolocation is different,
313
00:14:29,731 --> 00:14:31,266
that’s for sensing
the environment,
314
00:14:31,400 --> 00:14:32,434
and that’s high pitched.
315
00:14:32,501 --> 00:14:34,736
We can’t hear that
without specialized machinery.
316
00:14:36,138 --> 00:14:39,007
[bat screeching]
Oh! Yes, that is a bat!
317
00:14:39,341 --> 00:14:41,977
[narrator] Now I can hear them,
but I still can’t see them.
318
00:14:42,211 --> 00:14:45,280
[soft cheerful music]
319
00:14:51,086 --> 00:14:54,623
[Dan] Oh, yeah.
Welcome to Bat City.
320
00:15:05,901 --> 00:15:09,905
[both whisper inaudibly]
321
00:15:11,907 --> 00:15:13,709
-How many did you get, Rolf?
-[Rolf] Zero.
322
00:15:13,809 --> 00:15:15,644
Ah! I beat you. I got one.
323
00:15:16,245 --> 00:15:18,347
[narrator] This is
what we’ve been looking for.
324
00:15:18,747 --> 00:15:22,217
God. Look at that bat.
325
00:15:24,820 --> 00:15:25,821
Beautiful!
326
00:15:26,755 --> 00:15:28,724
[narrator] It’s
Rhinolophus Pusillus,
327
00:15:28,824 --> 00:15:29,992
a tiny horseshoe bat
328
00:15:30,058 --> 00:15:32,060
that’s going to answer
our burning question.
329
00:15:32,361 --> 00:15:35,163
Does his noseleaf vibrate
when he echolocates?
330
00:15:36,899 --> 00:15:39,034
[upbeat music]
331
00:15:39,168 --> 00:15:41,069
[narrator] Rolf’s lab
at Shandong University
332
00:15:41,136 --> 00:15:42,137
in Jinan, China,
333
00:15:42,271 --> 00:15:44,573
is where one of the weirdest
bats in the world
334
00:15:44,640 --> 00:15:47,876
is poised to make
bat research history.
335
00:15:48,944 --> 00:15:50,946
[bat screeching]
336
00:15:51,013 --> 00:15:53,215
[narrator] First we put
our little bat in a snuggie
337
00:15:53,282 --> 00:15:55,250
to keep him
comfortable and still
338
00:15:55,317 --> 00:15:57,953
so the laser beam
can detect any vibrations.
339
00:15:58,887 --> 00:16:01,957
He gets a dab of make up
so the laser reflects properly.
340
00:16:03,525 --> 00:16:05,861
And then, it’s show time.
341
00:16:07,696 --> 00:16:10,566
It’s the blue line on the screen
that we’re watching.
342
00:16:10,832 --> 00:16:12,901
If it pulses, we’re in business.
343
00:16:13,602 --> 00:16:15,737
[Rolf] Ah! Look at this.
That was it.
344
00:16:15,804 --> 00:16:17,940
-What's that?
-Look at the bottom trace.
345
00:16:18,106 --> 00:16:19,174
[Rolf] There you see it.
346
00:16:19,241 --> 00:16:22,477
[Dan] Ok, so the upper one
is the sound,
347
00:16:22,544 --> 00:16:25,047
and the lower one is what?
The nose moving?
348
00:16:25,113 --> 00:16:28,283
It's the vibration of noseleaf,
and you see it happens together.
349
00:16:28,584 --> 00:16:29,818
So what does that mean?
350
00:16:29,885 --> 00:16:32,354
It means the noseleaf is moving
351
00:16:32,621 --> 00:16:35,824
while the sound
is bouncing off the structure.
352
00:16:36,024 --> 00:16:40,028
-Wow, so there it is!
-Yes! Biosonar research history.
353
00:16:40,562 --> 00:16:42,698
[narrator] The discovery
of this fascinating ability
354
00:16:42,764 --> 00:16:44,299
of the horseshoe bat could lead
355
00:16:44,366 --> 00:16:47,269
to a better understanding
of their amazing sonar abilities
356
00:16:47,603 --> 00:16:49,771
and future sonar technologies.
357
00:16:49,938 --> 00:16:53,609
At the very least, it explains
the face only a mother,
358
00:16:53,675 --> 00:16:57,145
or a very passionate
bat biologist, could love.
359
00:16:58,580 --> 00:17:02,518
Our last story today takes us
on a quest to North Carolina,
360
00:17:02,751 --> 00:17:05,821
to get to the bottom
of an inventive idea.
361
00:17:05,954 --> 00:17:08,891
And when I say “bottom,”
I really mean... well...
362
00:17:09,558 --> 00:17:11,593
let’s just say
the inventors of these jeans,
363
00:17:11,660 --> 00:17:15,030
take “product testing”
to some interesting places
364
00:17:15,297 --> 00:17:17,299
like along the hot motorway.
365
00:17:18,100 --> 00:17:20,936
[motorbikes rumbling]
366
00:17:22,304 --> 00:17:24,740
[narrator] Talk about
putting your butt on the line.
367
00:17:24,806 --> 00:17:27,476
A friend will go down in a pair
of Draggin Jeans and say,
368
00:17:27,843 --> 00:17:29,745
"Holy cow,
I really saved some skin,
369
00:17:29,811 --> 00:17:31,146
I know these things work!"
370
00:17:31,380 --> 00:17:33,448
[narrator] We’re talking
about dungarees for bikers.
371
00:17:33,582 --> 00:17:36,018
But these aren’t
your average pair of jeans.
372
00:17:36,618 --> 00:17:38,620
[man] It was Hal’s baby
from the start,
373
00:17:38,687 --> 00:17:40,656
he had always wanted something
a lot more comfortable
374
00:17:40,722 --> 00:17:41,757
than leathers.
375
00:17:41,823 --> 00:17:43,892
It’s too hot in the South;
nobody wants to wear them.
376
00:17:44,059 --> 00:17:45,260
Back in the early to mid-90’s
377
00:17:45,327 --> 00:17:47,596
there was no
casual motorcycle apparel.
378
00:17:47,663 --> 00:17:50,332
It was full leather,
there were bright colors,
379
00:17:50,399 --> 00:17:53,669
red, blue and the fully
armored racing leather,
380
00:17:53,735 --> 00:17:56,205
and he thought, "There's got
to be a way to have
381
00:17:56,471 --> 00:17:58,140
protective, casual apparel
382
00:17:58,407 --> 00:18:00,976
that you can ride in,
be safe and it's affordable."
383
00:18:01,343 --> 00:18:03,645
[narrator] Megan Baxter
has followed her dad’s dream,
384
00:18:03,812 --> 00:18:06,415
with a love for riding
and a mind for business.
385
00:18:06,682 --> 00:18:09,318
They start out with
a Kevlar goo, I suppose,
386
00:18:09,384 --> 00:18:11,220
and it's turned into thread,
387
00:18:11,353 --> 00:18:13,622
and then from there they take
the thread and knit it.
388
00:18:14,189 --> 00:18:15,357
[narrator] Kevlar goo.
389
00:18:15,424 --> 00:18:17,659
Who knew that the secret
inside these jeans
390
00:18:17,726 --> 00:18:21,063
is a superhero liner,
in the seat and in the knees.
391
00:18:21,396 --> 00:18:23,632
It’s meant to withstand
the heat and speed
392
00:18:23,765 --> 00:18:25,234
of a tarmac wipeout.
393
00:18:25,501 --> 00:18:28,937
Megan’s dad Hal came up
with the idea 15 years ago.
394
00:18:29,605 --> 00:18:31,673
[Megan] Once he had the jeans
developed, the prototype,
395
00:18:31,740 --> 00:18:34,610
he tried putting sandbags
to be dragged behind the truck,
396
00:18:35,110 --> 00:18:38,580
he tried fruit, but nothing
truly simulates the body
397
00:18:38,647 --> 00:18:40,649
like the human form,
so he said, "Well,
398
00:18:40,716 --> 00:18:44,119
throw me behind the truck and
we'll see what happens."
399
00:18:44,319 --> 00:18:45,821
And that's kind of how
the drag tech started,
400
00:18:45,888 --> 00:18:47,055
and it was so successful,
401
00:18:47,122 --> 00:18:48,824
and it was just
such a cool concept
402
00:18:48,891 --> 00:18:50,626
that we were willing
to put our butts on the line
403
00:18:50,692 --> 00:18:51,727
to show our product works.
404
00:18:52,127 --> 00:18:54,029
[narrator] So that’s
what they continue to do,
405
00:18:54,296 --> 00:18:56,265
every year and with every model.
406
00:18:56,532 --> 00:18:59,134
Today, Travis
is about to be dragged.
407
00:19:00,435 --> 00:19:03,305
Helmet secure,
boots tethered to the hitch
408
00:19:03,505 --> 00:19:05,541
and gloves tight
around the reins.
409
00:19:05,874 --> 00:19:06,909
It’s time to rip!
410
00:19:10,345 --> 00:19:13,081
[jeans scratching on asphalt]
411
00:19:13,182 --> 00:19:15,984
[energetic music]
412
00:19:18,987 --> 00:19:20,689
[muffled] Now we’ll check
the damage on the Kevlar.
413
00:19:23,158 --> 00:19:24,927
[Megan] It's barely touched
the Kevlar at all.
414
00:19:24,993 --> 00:19:28,463
It saved him some serious skin,
seam is still intact,
415
00:19:28,964 --> 00:19:30,299
and everything looks great.
416
00:19:30,799 --> 00:19:33,735
[narrator] A new pair of jeans,
and Travis saddles up again.
417
00:19:34,069 --> 00:19:37,506
This time trying for faster,
further, and...
418
00:19:37,606 --> 00:19:38,941
the tarmac is hot!
419
00:19:39,741 --> 00:19:42,711
[energetic rock music]
420
00:19:48,784 --> 00:19:51,854
[jeans ripping]
421
00:20:00,128 --> 00:20:02,331
[muffles] I could tell it was
faster, got a little bit warmer.
422
00:20:02,731 --> 00:20:05,801
[narrator] Pretty ripped denim
but no exposure.
423
00:20:06,034 --> 00:20:08,303
We got little
tumbleweeds of denim. [laughs]
424
00:20:08,403 --> 00:20:11,440
[narrator] The kevlar saves
Travis some serious pain.
425
00:20:11,740 --> 00:20:13,942
[Megan] Part of our patent
is the knit we use,
426
00:20:14,142 --> 00:20:16,378
the little loops
actually face out,
427
00:20:16,445 --> 00:20:18,380
and it actually enhances
the abrasion protection
428
00:20:18,447 --> 00:20:19,715
that the Kevlar
already provides.
429
00:20:20,516 --> 00:20:21,750
[narrator]
Most of the super strong
430
00:20:21,817 --> 00:20:23,719
and super light miracle fabric
431
00:20:23,819 --> 00:20:26,088
comes from a manufacturer
in Tennessee.
432
00:20:26,221 --> 00:20:28,156
[Megan] We started out
with Keprotech,
433
00:20:28,223 --> 00:20:30,592
which is a lycra-kevlar blend.
434
00:20:30,926 --> 00:20:36,198
We found that 100% Kevlar was
more abrasion protective.
435
00:20:36,865 --> 00:20:38,634
[narrator] So the Kevlar
is custom knitted
436
00:20:38,700 --> 00:20:40,769
and crafted into wearable forms.
437
00:20:41,570 --> 00:20:42,771
[Megan] When you
first put them on
438
00:20:42,838 --> 00:20:44,673
you’re gonna feel the Kevlar
on the knees and the seat.
439
00:20:45,240 --> 00:20:46,642
After wearing them
for 5 or 10 minutes,
440
00:20:46,708 --> 00:20:48,577
you completely forget
there’s Kevlar on them.
441
00:20:48,777 --> 00:20:51,079
[narrator]
One final test for Travis.
442
00:20:55,884 --> 00:20:57,786
[narrator] Solid success.
443
00:20:59,555 --> 00:21:00,556
[narrator] To take it further,
444
00:21:00,622 --> 00:21:03,759
the “Queen City Bikers” put
these threads to the test.
445
00:21:04,259 --> 00:21:05,460
I didn’t even
think twice about it,
446
00:21:05,527 --> 00:21:07,663
they just felt
like normal jeans I ride in.
447
00:21:07,796 --> 00:21:10,899
I used to ride in leathers
and I’d just rather not ride,
448
00:21:10,966 --> 00:21:11,967
that’s how hot they were.
449
00:21:12,467 --> 00:21:14,203
[narrator] Hal would be
really proud.
450
00:21:14,436 --> 00:21:16,805
15 years ago he put
his butt on the line,
451
00:21:17,172 --> 00:21:20,008
and now hundreds of thousands
of pairs of jeans later,
452
00:21:20,209 --> 00:21:22,778
he’s dragging riders with him
all over the world.
453
00:21:23,712 --> 00:21:24,713
[man] What’s your skin worth?
454
00:21:24,780 --> 00:21:27,449
I’d rather have a hundred
something dollar pair of jeans
455
00:21:27,749 --> 00:21:29,685
instead of 5 thousand dollars
worth of skin grafts.
456
00:21:32,354 --> 00:21:34,623
Thank you very much
for watching How Tech Works.
457
00:21:34,890 --> 00:21:37,192
I’m Basil Singer.
See you next time.
458
00:21:38,560 --> 00:21:42,264
[ending music]
36451
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