Eating crabs is a beloved part of our Chesapeake Bay culture, and a crab feast always ends with a massive pile of shells headed for the trash. Researchers at the University of Maryland have invented a surprising use for the zinc-based crab shell: a battery that’s strong enough to power light bulbs, cheaper and safer than other options. Cheryl Costello finds out how it works. Watch below:
![](https://www.chesapeakebaymagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/crab-shell-battery-invention-cheryl-screenshot-1024x549.jpg)
Crab shell could be a valuable substance for battery power in the future. Image: Cheryl Costello