Charging bra: Energy from breast motion

Posted in Concepts by Conner Flynn on June 24th, 2008

Charging bra: Energy from breast motionObjects in motion are great for making energy and since boobs bounce around a fair bit while women are exercising, what better way to charge gadgets. It would probably be made of elastic so that it gets even more motion. That’s great for onlookers and energy.

Then you would want it layered in such a way that you could insert nanowire fabric to generate electricity from motion. A small piston could even be used to get more juice. Sure, there are a bunch of obstacles to overcome, but I think it’s a worthy endeavor as we strive for more energy.

Angstrom Power’s G2 portable fuel cell power source

Posted in Chargers by Conner Flynn on May 16th, 2008

Angstrom Power’s G2 portable fuel cell power source
Apparently, Angstrom Power is not just working on fuel cells for MOTOSLVR L7 prototypes. The company is also touting its G2 portable fuel cell power source that will keep a whole wide range of gadgets charged. It looks like an mp3 player from a mirror universe, but I digress. This one has eight V60 Fuel Cell Modules that all together provide two watts of power. That can be used to top off any device that charges with a USB connection.

Angstrom says that the G2 itself can also be replenished “in minutes,” by using an Angstrom P2 Portable Refueling Cartridge or an R1 Refueling Station, and it can withstand “several charges” before it needs to be refueled. No word on pricing or availability, but it will likely show up before those fuel cell-powered cellphones, which seem to be on track for a release around 2010.

Dynamo Green keyboard uses kinetic energy

Posted in Keyboards by Conner Flynn on April 1st, 2008

Dynamo Green keyboard uses kinetic energy
The Dynamo Green Keyboard is a pretty pretty interesting one. Supposedly it helps you lower your monthly power bill, but there’s one catch. You have to keep typing. That’s because it has the capability of harnessing the power of kinetic energy when typing, turning the energy into electricity, which will then help power the computer you’re using.

It’s a neat idea, but I think you would have to be a speed typer who never removes your fingers from the keys in order to get the job done. And how much would you save? I think what we have here is a cool keyboard that may or may not glow like it’s radioactive, for £59.99.

Consumption Feedback Switch shows energy usage

Posted in Home by Conner Flynn on March 31st, 2008

Consumption Feedback Switch shows your energy usage
If you are concerned about how much energy you are using, but are forgetful and need some encouragement, this little switch will give you a visual representation of how much energy you are using. The switch lights up only a little when you’re not using much energy and it shines brighter when you’re wasting too much.

What with energy being invisible, it’s easy to waste more then you intend to. So a visual reminder is just the thing. Not many other details on this one for the moment. Like how much of your house this will take care of, etc. It might be good if it were vocal though, “Turn off some lights you wasteful pig. What did you buy me for if you aren’t going to listen to me.” Nagging always gets things done after all, as any married person knows.

O2-B portable oxygen bar

Posted in Health by Conner Flynn on March 18th, 2008

O2-B portable oxygen bar
If for some reason you feel like this rotating blue marble doesn’t have enough oxygen to suit your needs, why not get this portable oxygen bar for $729. Maybe you just want cleaner air. It’s lightweight and portable, even offers timed blasts of 10 to 30 minutes via a headset, five nose hoses and 12 mouthpiece filters.

You also get a free additional intake filter so you can have an O2 shot whenever you need a kick. The Oxygen Bar promises to increase energy, stamina, concentration and alertness as well as help with relaxation and rejuvenate athletes. It would also help your breathing in higher elevations and in cities. Basically, it’s a breath of fresh air.

Ravi solar charger looks like an alien flower

Posted in Solar Powered by Conner Flynn on February 22nd, 2008

Ravi solar charger
The Ravi solar charger hopes to steer you toward greener living with it’s attractive flower-like design. The Ravi solar has photovoltaic arrays attached to petal extensions. The flower aspect is not just symbolic, it actually absorbs energy from the sun during the day, storing it in an internal battery. It gets some points for coolness due to the fact that the petals glow once the battery is charged. At night, you would have a kick-ass glowing garden. You would then remove the battery packs to power all of your home appliances.

The idea is that with gardens of Ravi portable solar generators in a neighborhood, enough power could be generated to supply the community, and if that can not be managed, it would at least lessen energy needs. It’s a pretty cool idea, but it has a kind of War Of The World quality that scares me.

The Water Clock drinks on the job

Posted in Clocks by Conner Flynn on February 20th, 2008

The Water clock drinks on the job
Forget batteries or an outlet. How about a clock that is powered by any liquid? Well, almost any. You wouldn’t want it to run on urine, though I bet it would work. Once you fill it up, the LCD display will provide the time and date while it draws power from the electrons in the water.

It’s cheap at $13 and if you already have plants to water, you won’t forget to water your clock. Of course, if you have been known to kill plants, you will probably be clueless as to what time it is. Just make it easy on yourself by giving the clock a drink everytime you have one and you should be alright. I can’t figure out what the mirror finish is all about.

Let your iPhone track your power usage

Posted in Concepts by Conner Flynn on February 6th, 2008

Let your iPhone track your power usage
If you’ve been longing to turn your iPhone into a more useful gadget, and using it for something other than just making calls, this is for you. Current State software, will allow your iPhone to monitor the power usage and energy waste of your entire house.

It allows your iPhone to turn power plugs on and off, activate timers and keep track of everything. All you need to do is to install plug-ends on power sockets and sync to your iPhone. The application will show you a map of all the power wastage hot spots, so you can make changes and save more power. It sounds great, but unfortunately it is a concept at the moment, but now that the idea has been presented, someone will make it come true.

EcoButton shuts down your PC, Al Gore smiles

Posted in USB by Conner Flynn on January 30th, 2008

EcoButton shuts down your PC
The Eco Button connects via USB and puts your PC into sleep mode, thus saving precious Watts and making Al Gore smile, despite the fact that he has become portly in a William Shatner kind of way. It will even wake the PC up, when it’s time to get back to work. The bundled software records the carbon units saved.

As Ubergizmo pointed it, it probably takes a lot of carbon units to build the button and then when it hits the trash one day, it will pollute anyway. Plus it looks like a Frisbee. This somewhat pointless green gadget will cost you $18.





Other blogs from the Topic Soup Network that you might like:

PopTherapy.com - A therapeutic guide to popular culture

WeathyReader.com - Where reading pays off.

HealthyReader.com web site

Botropolis.com web site