The Holy Grail of Kinetic Device Charging Is Within Reach
As cellphones and other electronic devices get larger and more power hungry I’ve wondered why device manufacturers haven’t looked to harness the power of kinetic energy to constantly trickle charge electronics.
A company called “M2E Power” has been exploring the kinetic option and say that not only is a a valid way to trickle charge electronics they will release a charger within a year.
It says that six hours of cumulative motion can add 30 to 60 minutes of talk time to a cell phone.
The idea is to place the charger inside a purse or backpack and let it charge in the background, said Regan Rowe, director of business development at the company. When fully charged, M2E Power’s device stores enough to recharge a phone at a speed comparable to an AC outlet.
Inside is a lithium ion battery and a series of coils and magnets. When it moves, an electromagnetic field forms around the coils to generate electricity.
I think its a great idea to give your phone or MP3 player a quick boost charge when your battery is almost empty so you don’t have to scramble for a charger.
Wow, this is very cool. I have a flashlight I use for emergencies, weighs practically nothing and shines for hours with a few good shakes, no more batteries ever. It cost about $3 on 34th street, less than a set of batteries would. And how many times would you have been happy to shake your phone for five minutes to place one last call?