Environment

Febot uses wind power to recharge batteries

Febot uses wind power to recharge batteries
Febot wind charging concept
Febot wind charging concept
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Febot wind charging concept
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Febot wind charging concept
Febot wind charging concept
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Febot wind charging concept

February 24, 2009 We're always on the lookout for new, ‘greener’ ways of saving or renewing energy. South Korean designers Ji-yun Kim, Soon-young Yang and Hwan-ju Jeon have developed the Febot, a small, easily-assembled portable battery charger concept that harnesses the power of the wind rather than using electricity. Place a rechargeable battery inside the Febot and stick it on the outside of a window or wall, or any other outdoor surface, using the suction cap at the base of the unit.

Obviously the more wind there is the better, but it is not known how long on average the Febot might take to recharge a battery, and this concept version only holds a single battery. Other potential issues include the amount of wind that could realistically pass through the Febot given how close the propeller is to the base of the unit and how well the suction caps would hold the weight of the unit on potentially dirty outside surfaces.

The HYmini is another personal charger (for devices like iPods and mobile phones rather than batteries) that uses wind power but it also provides options for solar and mains charging.

Karen Sprey

Via Yanko Design.

1 comment
1 comment
CreativeApex
Considering how often I change some of the rechargeable batteries in certain devices like the wii-motes, tv remotes i.e. very rarely. I really like this idea, while it still appears to exist only as computer models, it is well thought out including the injection molding delivery of an assemble it yourself product. I think a vertical axis model should be a good follow on.