FGadgets » Electric Charger

Solar Stand By Wei-Chih Hsu

admin — Fri, 29 Jul 2011 22:14:34 +0000

Functionality, practicality and sustainability go hand in hand with the above pictured conception. Conceived by Taiwanese industrial designer Wei-Chih Hsu, and aptly dubbed as the Solar Stand, the contraption is basically a stylishly portable stand (for Smartphones and Tablets) that incorporates two solar panels along with a lithium-ion battery pack. So from the perspective of serviceability the showpiece stand/rack doubly acts up as a fully operational solar powered charger for a plethora of electronic gadgets.

The designer has envisaged of a simple and user friendly system in which devices such as mobile phones, smartphones and tablets can be rested along the supports of the foldable solar paneled ‘flaps’ (as shown in the above picture). Once their positions are fixed, the Solar stand can juice up the device by clean and green solar power. The power (electricity) generated will actually be stored in the lithium-ion battery, and the phone can be charged directly from it via a micro-USB cable. The contraption will in actuality comprise of two solar panels (which can be adjusted to different angles) with different capabilities of power generation. The shorter panel could be used to charge smaller devices such as smartphones, while the longer one could be used for comparatively larger devices such as tablets.

The charging oriented mechanism of the Solar Stand doesn’t necessarily mean that the designer has forgotten about the conception’s utility as a fully portable phone/tablet stand. The surfaces, edges of the solar panels and even the lower base part of the charger will be embedded with tough rubber sheets with higher frictional quality. This will allow the gadgets to be kept in support more easily, without the fear of them sliding off the surfaces. And when kept in a stable position, such devices can just as smartly be charged anywhere by off-grid, renewable solar power.
Designer: Wei-Chih Hsu
Source: EcoFriend.com

Solar Window – Solar Paneled Window With Multi-tap

admin — Sat, 09 Jul 2011 10:03:03 +0000

Solar Window is quite a clever design especially if appropriately placed. A transparent solar panel glazes the window and helps in harnessing the sun’s energy. Conveniently located plug-sockets and multi-tap, help hook up appliances and gadgets. A simple concept that can have very positive implications. Awesome!

Designers: Jun-se Kim, Yu-jin Cho, Yu-jin Lee
Source: YankoDesign.com

Electricity-Generating Clothing

admin — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 19:33:51 +0000

The University of Texas, Dallas has been infusing carbon-nanotubes into wearable batteries that can then be used to charge iPhones, iPads or iPods.

The process is complex, but the benefits are definitely clear. According to Ray Baughman, who directs the research program, the team has been producing a fabric that can effectively generate and store its own electricity. In addition to being able to store this power, however, the shirt is also expected to be able to transmit that energy to peripheral devices like iPhones, meaning that wearers would rarely have to worry about running out of juice on the go. And as if that weren’t enough, the fabric the wearable batteries are made out of would also be surprisingly resistant to washing.
Source: Trend Hunter

Light Catcher

admin — Sat, 02 Apr 2011 11:48:15 +0000

The Light Catcher is a simple photoelectric battery where a transparent body coated with an antireflective layer houses solar cells. So every time your battery dies, just pamper it with some good ole’ fashioned sunshine to recharge. Comes in AA and AAA variants, both capable of powering another device via a 3.5mm jack, though I had no idea those could provide power.

Designers: Yung-Hsaing Chang, Chang-Ting Lu, Ming-Shien Lin
Source: yankodesign.com

Great Barrier Water Pipe Turbine

admin — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 14:27:23 +0000

Feel guilty about hosing your car or watering the lawn? What if you could juice up some AA’s in the process?Check out the Great Barrier – a mini generator fixed to your hose and in turns charges up a battery . This power is stored in an AA cell, the most commonly used size in the world. Okay, this isn’t exactly “green” by any means but hey, it’s kinda guilt-free right? Maybe?

Designer: Warin Thanathawee
Source: YankoDesign.com

Fiber Will Enable T-shirts To Function As batteries

admin — Sun, 13 Mar 2011 22:56:30 +0000

Zhong Lin Wang at Georgia Institute of Technology and Jong Min Kim of Samsung Electronics in South Korea, have conceptualized a textile energy storage device made up of zinc oxide nano-wires grown on conventional fibers. This supercapacitor is supposed to provide spontaneous recharge and flexibility to be carried anywhere – which is not possible with traditional rechargeable batteries.

Aiming for the spectacular the team has designed a prototype of systematic fiber-based electrochemical micro-supercapacitor. It has been composed of flexible electrode, fine plastic wire and fiber electrode made of Kevlar – which is also the material used to make bulletproof vests. The team somehow has managed to grow zinc oxide nanowires on each of these substrates.

By coating the materials with gold and manganese oxide the team has further improved the charge capacitance. After that tweezers were used by the researchers for wrapping the plastic wires into a Kevlar fiber. Also, the configuration has been embedded in a solid gel electrolyte that divides these two electrodes for providing necessary charge transport. This concluded fiber can be processed into a fine thread which can be further converted into wearable energy storage device.

The researchers have opted for zinc oxide because it can be be grown on any desired substrate and functions at any temperature being fully biocompatible. Another astonishing feature of this power shirt is that it can be recharged with the wearer’s heartbeat, steps or even a light wind – which can be used further to power mobile phones and small sensors.

Source: gizmowatch.com

Aero E Wind Power Generator By Lance Cassidy

admin — Sun, 06 Mar 2011 09:55:51 +0000

Have you ever opened a window and said to yourself, “damn Gina, it’s windy.” Harness that energy with the AERO E. Energy is converted from wind to electricity and transferred wirelessly through induction. Place your cellphone on the charing pad and be the envy of your tree hugging neighbors! The accompanying app allows you to connect to your turbine and track wind patterns and charge times too.

Designer: Lance Cassidy
Source: YankoDesign.com

Phone Charging Device Attaches To Shoe To Transform Kinetic Energy Into Electricity

admin — Tue, 11 Jan 2011 21:42:50 +0000

Inspired by the skaters, Argentine designer Soledad Martin has come up with a cellphone charger concept, based on the modern way of transforming movement into electric energy called the “kinetic energy,” thanks to the nanogenerator system. What is interesting about this charger is that you can attach it firmly to your shoe and just go outside and practice any kind of sport or even just go for a walk and charge the battery attached to the device. So when you are running low on battery, just remove the lid and attach the USB cable to juice up your mobile phone right there on the street .In addition, the charger comes with interchangeable straps with snap buttons so the user can choose what color to wear.

Designer: Soledad Martin
Source: Thedesignblog.org

Horizon MiniPak – Portable Fuel Cell Charger

admin — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 17:35:21 +0000

Offering a portable, affordable and green alternative to disposable and rechargeable batteries, Horizon Fuel Cell Technologies presents the first pocket-sized fuel cell for personal usage. Dubbed the “MiniPak”, the fuel cell is designed to power portable consumer electronics like cellphone, smartphone or personal media device. It is made using recycled plastics and green materials.

The Horizon MiniPak delivers 1.5 to 2W of continuous power through an integrated micro-USB port and a multi-choice cable to connected devices to charge them. It gets its power from refillable fuel cartridges, with that give it up to 12Wh of energy. It uses a combination of Horizon’s mass-produced PEM fuel cells and a new low-cost metal hydride storage solution, which can store hydrogen safely as a dry, non-toxic and non-pressurized material.

This hydrogen is absorbed and converted into a solid hydride by a metallic sponge contained in the fuel cartridge. Whenever required, it is released back to the fuel cell. This efficient, portable and sustainable power source will go on sale for just $100.

Source: Ecofriend.org