---
id: task-3
title: Grow Rochelle Salt Piezoelectric Crystals
status: To Do
assignee: []
created_date: '2026-01-05 23:03'
labels:
  - chemistry
  - piezoelectric
  - crystals
dependencies: []
priority: medium
---

## Description

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Grow piezoelectric crystals from kitchen ingredients (cream of tartar + baking soda). Rochelle salt has one of the strongest piezoelectric effects known\!

This adds a "made from scratch" dimension to the crystal radio project - demonstrating that the piezoelectric property comes from the crystal structure itself, not manufacturing.

Refer to piezoelectric-circuits-guide.md crystal growing section.
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## Acceptance Criteria
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- [ ] #1 Acquire cream of tartar (200g) and baking soda
- [ ] #2 Make saturated Rochelle salt solution
- [ ] #3 Grow seed crystals (3-7 days)
- [ ] #4 Grow main crystal from seed (1-4 weeks)
- [ ] #5 Apply electrodes (conductive paint or foil)
- [ ] #6 Test piezoelectric response with LED/multimeter
- [ ] #7 Compare to commercial ceramic piezo
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