Mobile kinetic energy harvester

A new scalable kinetic energy-harnessing device has been developed by Tremont Electric LLC. The nPower™ PEG (or personal energy generator) is a novel product that uses human energy to power mobile devices, such as cell phones and mp3 players. "It harvests your human kinetic energy - your up and down walking motion," inventor Aaron LeMieux said. "With that we're able to charge your mobile electronic devices." LeMieux, an engineer, came up with the idea when he hiked the 1,500-mile Appalachian Trail about a decade ago. "I wanted a device that I could take and just throw in my backpack and be able to walk along," he said.

 

The nPower PEG is 9 inches tall and 1.5 inches in circumference at its widest part, the centre, and weighs 9 ounces. The device can be carried in a backpack, briefcase, handbag, or attached to your hip and charges handheld mobile electronic devices at the same rate as a wall charger, which means an 80% charge is reached with just an hour of walking throughout the day. Adding to its environmental appeal, the product does not require any replacement parts and is fully recyclable.

 

The up and down movement from walking or running creates kinetic energy which the nPower™ PEG transfers in the form of electrical power to handheld mobile electronic devices through a standard USB 2.0 connector. An average human walking up a set of stairs will expend around 200 Watts of power, but recharging a cell phone uses 2.5 Watts. The nPower™ PEG can harvest 1.25% of walking power and deliver it to a phone. Carried items such as a backpack, purse or a briefcase possess significant amounts of kinetic energy for the nPower™ PEG to harvest and the device can also be secured to equipment that you travel with (such as a kayak or bicycle) to harvest power from these larger items as you travel.

 

When walking, hiking or biking, the device can generate energy but it also works on the subway or bus. In an emergency, it could even be shaken. The nPower™ PEG is not on the market yet, but is due to be launched in mid 2009.

 

 

For more attend: Energy Harvesting & Storage USA 2009 

 

Also read: Energy Harvesting and Storage for Electronic Devices 2009-2019