Gizmodo Australia » generators

K3 Harnesses the Power of the Sun, the Wind, and the Electric Grid

Jesus Diaz — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 13:40:00 +0000

The Kinesis K3 power generator updates their previous K2 unit with a new power source: In addition to its windmill and solar cells, it can now charge its internal battery with external electricity sources.

Sounds a bit weird and anti-green, but for some reason now you can charge its 4,000 mAh battery using a USB adaptor or a car cigarette lighter. Why would you like to do a single charge with an external power source when you can just leave it by the window to have it fully charged is beyond me.

According to the company, one hour of sun and wind will provide you with 30 minutes of talk time in a mobile phone. Fully charged, the K3 can load the battery cells for an average mobile phone five times, or an MP3 player more than ten times.

At $US100 it is a bit on the expensive, but if their specs are correct, it looks pretty useful for emergencies. [CNET]

How Many Hamsters Does It Take To Power a Device?

Wilson Rothman — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 01:30:00 +0000

The answer is four, say scientists at Georgia Tech. If you are high now or plan to be soon, watch this video a few times. You can thank me later. [Full Story: Technology Review]

Revolving Door Uses You to Make Energy

Mark Wilson — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 22:30:00 +0000

It’s an alarmingly simple concept that claims to be the world’s first application: Netherlands-based company Natuurcafé La Port installed a power generator into a revolving door. Fantastic, but it took us this long?

The door is the entrance to the Driebergen-Zeist railway station, where it’s predicted to generate 4600 kwh of energy a year—or somewhere around what the average house needs annually, depending who you talk to. Not bad at all. Sure, it’s probably not enough to power all of those train lines, but it’s essentially free energy. And heck, it’s a lot more practical than this idea. [Boon Edam via Inhabitat]

The Duracell Powerpack 450 Talks You Through a Jump Start

Sean Fallon — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 18:45:00 +0000

Because I rarely drive these days, I still roll around in a car I bought 8 years ago. It runs fine, but sooner or later it is going to quit on me. I’ll tell you what though, in my situation, the new addition to Duracell’s Powerpack linuep looks like peace of mind in a lunch pail-sized box. In addition to jump starting your car, it can power up AC, DC and USB-powered electronics (340 W continuous / 450 W peak). It even has a voice feature that informs you on the estimated runtime for devices that you plug in as well as instructions on how to use its vehicle jump starter and air compressor (150 psi). All-in-all, the 450 looks one seriously useful device for your $US150.

[Duracell via Ecoustics via Crunchgear via DVICE]

Bicycle Seat Generator Harnesses the Power of Your Butt

Sean Fallon — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 22:20:00 +0000

You may not like it now, but you would be thankful for that big butt of yours if you ever got a chance to ride a bike fitted with designer Deco Goodman’s “Commuter Cyclist’s Sustainable Energy Source.” The device attaches underneath the seat and collects power generated by the compression of the seat springs, braking, pedaling etc. As a result, the electricity could be used to power headlights/taillights and any portable gadgets you bring with you on the road. As you might have guessed, it is only a concept at the moment, but at least it doesn’t sound completely far-fetched.

[Deco Goodman via Ecofriend via DVICE]

E-Charkha Spinning Wheel Generates Electricity While Making Yarn

Gizmodo US Edition — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 02:00:00 +0000

Impoverished Indian families can look into getting the e-charkha, an electricity-generating version of the ubiquitous yarn-making spinning wheel, as a way to increase productivity without a boost in energy costs. The e-charkha, designed by RS Hiremath, generates juice as the charkha spins and diverts it into a free battery at the bottom of the machine.

About two hours of spinning would be enough to run a custom LED light source for six to seven more hours, significantly extending the amount of time families can work. Using LEDs will also help families avoid kerosene lamps, which drastically reduce air quality inside the home when they are used. The Indian government is already giving away several of the e-charkhas to Indian residents under its “Funds for Regeneration of Traditional Industries” program. A good thing, since very few of the people who need it can afford the roughly $US200 it costs. [Inhabitat]

High Five Power Generator…It Could Happen

Mark Wilson — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 13:50:00 +0000

Look, I’m no engineer. That’s just not what I do. But these rough schematics of a high five power generator, which we see could fuel an entire sandwich shop, look pretty solid to me. After all, who couldn’t use an extra high five to get them through the day? And who doesn’t like a delicious sandwich? This one-two punch of sustainable happiness could usher in a better tomorrow. Though if such high fiving technology were to fall into the wrong hands…may God help us all. Concept by [Cunning].