Gadgets harvest renewable energy
Experiments are under way to harvest free energy through motion and the environment, which could lead to devices such as mobile phones that can be recharged without electricity. One Laptop Per Child has experimented with charging XO laptops through solar power, foot pedal and pull-string. Nokia last week released a kit that draws energy from cycling to recharge phones.
Orange said it would demonstrate boots that recharge mobile phones through energy derived while walking. While Orange’s contraption is experimental, Tremont Electric is already selling a device that captures energy from running or walking to recharge mobile devices.
Orange this week announced rain boots that can generate energy through walking to recharge mobile devices such as cell phones and MP3 players. Called “Orange Power Wellies,” the boots use modified soles that generate energy with each step, which is then channeled to recharge mobile devices.
A sole includes thermoelectric modules sandwiched between two thin ceramic wafers. Stepping creates heat on the top ceramic wafer and coolness from the ground is applied to the lower wafer, which generates electricity. The hotter a foot gets, the more energy it produces. Around 12 hours of walking charges a mobile phone for one hour of use.
Speaking of kinetic energy, Tremont Electric is selling a portable device that can recharge smartphones through everyday activities like running or walking. The NPower PEG (personal energy generator) is small enough to be carried or placed in a backpack, according to company executives. It includes a recyclable lithium-polymer battery that stores energy and attaches to portable devices through a USB port.
Five minutes of walking with the NPower PEG will produce enough power for one minute of talk time, said Jessica Davis, a spokeswoman for Tremont Electric. In general terms, walking an hour translates to 12 minutes of talk time.
The device is ideal for active outdoors people. For example, hikers and backpackers going on treks could use the charger to power phones, as wall outlets may be hard to find. The company is still developing the technology to reach a larger audience. The device weighs about 255 grams, which is more than an iPhone 3GS smartphone, which weighs 135 grams.
Solio sells portable solar chargers that gather energy from the sun to recharge portable devices. The devices include internal batteries that store power, which can be transferred to portable devices. If there’s no sunlight, the chargers also work with power outlets.
Eton last month introduced Scorpion, a gadget designed for hikers who may not have access to power outlets. The device can be powered by multiple natural energy resources including a hand crank and solar cells. The device includes a USB port to recharge mobile devices including cell phones. It includes a flashlight and a radio to get updates on weather conditions through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration weather band. It also has a digital radio tuner, a flashlight, and for good effect, a bottle opener.
The company earlier this month also shipped the Soulra, a solar-powered sound system for the iPod and iPhone. The system features a ruggedized rubber exterior with a solar panel that can be pulled out from the middle. An iPod or iPhone can be placed on the device for playback. The device comes with a lithium-ion battery pack and can be plugged into power outlets.
source: Pcworld
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Hey all. It’s crazy just how world of internet evolved the world of gizmos.My generation was raised without any gadgets .Nobody knew Google – many of us walked to library to research the needed data.Nobody had a mobile phone . The ones using numeric pagers were thought to be awesome and almost definitely sketchy (and in certain cases crooks).Today nearly every single boy or girl may have a touchscreen cellphone,twitters,weblogs and talks regarding just about every point of their life.Very much ,for that matter it’s annoying….But hey,It certainly is a 21′st century.Lord.I say it and can’t believe exactly what I hear.Know-how advances on exponential,we are racing through time and getting nothing but older(and wiser)
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