Finger Power
From: Song Teaho & Hyejin Lee
If you've never been caught without a dead cell phone or iPod battery, chances are you don't actually own either one. And if this situation doesn't infuriate you to the ends of the Earth, then I'd like to ask you to check your pulse.
This concept by Teaho & Lee is, by no means, the first attempt by designers to solve the portable power (or lack thereof) conundrum. However, this one will really make those engineers out there hark back to the days of physics and Newtonian coordinates (centripetal forces, anyone?).
For the rest of you, just understand that (as the picture on the right suggests) the energy you're introducing into the battery by twirling it on your fingertip would be enough to get you some much-needed voice calling juice. Theoretically, you'd never be stranded with a dead battery.
The downside? Would you rather have your current cell phone battery, or one that gets 50% less juice but can be recharged indefinitely using some physical effort? The choice might not be as straightforward as you think to the average technology consumer.
Stay innovative.
-Nick (www.nickselman.com)