CSIRO swinging for science

The CSIRO has built an energy-generating swing set in the hope of getting Australians excited about energy production.

The swing set has been a staple of Australian childhood but this week the CSIRO hopes it serves a very different purpose.

Australia's leading scientific research agency has assembled an eight-man swing set in Sydney that generates energy as you swing.

The swing uses kinetic energy to illuminate a letter above its seat, spelling out infinity when all eight seats are in motion.

"For us it's a way of getting people excited around energy and science, and also to realise the challenge that we have in energy in Australia," said CSIRO research director Glenn Platt.

"It's hard to come by.

"You get on a seat and have a swing, and it makes enough energy to light up a letter but nowhere near enough to light up your house."

Dr Platt said the swing was a demonstration of how science can innovate in the energy space.

"I'm really optimistic there will be all sorts of new ways of creating and managing energy in the future," he said.

The swing is at Sydney's Customs House and will be in the Harbour City until November 8.


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Source: AAP



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