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CleanTechnica points us to M2E's kinetically-powered portable charger due to be released next summer.
The kinetic energy system uses the Faraday Principle, which states that the movement of a conductor through a magnetic field produces voltage in the conductor proportional to the speed of movement. In this case, the conductor is a wire coil. The system uses a magnet that moves against the coil every time the charger moves, generating a charge that is captured in a capacitor. A logic circuit takes the charge to the built-in Li-Ion cell, where it is stored until use.
They say 6 hours of motion will provide 30-60 minutes of power. I can't see jogging that long, but I bet we'll see things like this in the future hooked to construction equipment, dog collars, soccer-playing kids . . .
Wow, if they do this right, things like cell phone life will be extended to weeks or months, and potentially forever (or until they break). Cell phones are quiet often keep in pockets or on the hip (my Blackberry is in a hip mounted OtterBox), which is optimal for up/down motion. Pedometers sense this motion. Mechanical ones are solely "powered" in this manner, and this seems to be a natural extension of current technology in battery charging -at least in the case of things you carry around. Great job guys.
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