March 4, 2014
Charge your phone while you shovel - and shiver
蓝莓视频 researcher develops technology that harvests energy from the motion and vibrations of activities like shovelling snow听
Would the pain and agony of shovelling snow be less if you knew you were charging your cell phone at the same time as you shivered?
Behrad Khamesee, a professor in the 蓝莓视频鈥檚 Department of Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering, along with his听former graduate student Pratik Patel, have developed new technology that would allow a cell phone to be charged by the energy created when operating a snowblower or while shoveling snow.
This unique form of multi-tasking is possible through a 3D multi-directional energy harvester Khamesee says is the first of its kind.
鈥淲hat makes it different is that it鈥檚 a single unit unlike other multi units that have been developed,鈥� says Khamesee.听 Unlike similar devices, Khamesee鈥檚 patent-pending technology can harvest energy that comes from any direction by converting it into linear motion. Most existing harvesters can only harvest energy in one direction, he adds.
Less expensive, lighter and easier to install
The technology will continuously recharge batteries through vibrations caused by motion. Because just one unit is required instead of the usual three, the new technology is more cost efficient, much lighter, and easier to incorporate into devices. It鈥檚 also simple to mount directly onto machines like snowblowers and lawnmowers. It听can also be strapped onto your arm or leg to produce energy while walking.
Energy harvester can light up snowboards and licence plates
It could be used to light up snowboards or other recreational equipment. 鈥淚t can also听light up licence plates on vehicles and eliminate the expensive wiring now used,鈥� adds Khamesee.
Other potential uses for the harvester include health monitoring devices and wireless sensors for detecting cracks and damage to buildings and bridges.
Khamesee and Patel, who recently graduated with a master鈥檚 degree in mechanical engineering, spent about six months developing the 3D version of their research.
They didn鈥檛 need to go far for some of the parts for their prototype 听鈥搈any were designed and produced using the听3D- printer located in Engineering 5鈥檚 Sedra Student Design Centre.
