Back to today’s briefing

Story perspectives

Joule Thief Circuit Boosts Nearly Dead Batteries’ Energy

8/23/2026

41 8 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

The joule thief circuit extracts extra energy from nearly depleted batteries using a transformer and a transistor.
Transistors, invented in the 20th century, power modern computers, smartphones, cars, and AI applications.
Electric relays, created in 1835, act as switches that use a second current to control the first.
Early telegraph stations used low-voltage batteries and relays to overcome wire resistance and repeat signals across segments.

1 of 1

Story summary

The joule thief circuit extracts extra energy from nearly depleted batteries using a transformer and a transistor.
Transistors, invented in the 20th century, power modern computers, smartphones, cars, and AI applications.
Electric relays, created in 1835, act as switches that use a second current to control the first.
Early telegraph stations used low-voltage batteries and relays to overcome wire resistance and repeat signals across segments.