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OT: New gadget charges mobile phones over campfire 21-Jun-2011 At 9:47:09 AM ClimbingNT

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Was reading the news today, and came across this useful invention. I know of a heap of people who take USB powered devices on climbing/hiking trips, and either bring extra batteries, solar panels, etc.

What I think makes this more useful than solar, is that you can charge your devices overnight when you already have a fire available, instead of having to down tools during the day to charge your device via solar. It also is more practical if its raining, overcast, etc. Not so practical in areas with firebans.

Would be pretty cool if they could use this same technology, and incorporate it into a cup/canteen that you can slot a water bottle into. That way it would be less bulky and awkward to carry. If someone could make one of those, I would consider buying one.

New gadget charges mobile phones over campfire.

A Japanese company has come up with a new way to charge your mobile phone after a natural disaster or in the great outdoors - by heating a pot of water over a campfire.

The Hatsuden-Nabe thermo-electric cookpot turns heat from boiling water into electricity that feeds via a USB port into digital devices such as smartphones, music players and global positioning systems.

TES NewEnergy, based in the western city of Osaka, started selling the gadget in Japan this month for 24,150 yen ($284), and plans to market it later in developing countries with patchy power grids.

Advertisement: Story continues below Chief executive Kazuhiro Fujita said the invention was inspired by Japan's March 11 earthquake and tsunami that left 23,000 people dead or missing, devastated the northeast region and left hundreds of thousands homeless.

"When I saw the TV footage of the quake victims making a fire to keep themselves warm, I came up with the idea of helping them to charge their mobile phones at the same time," Fujita said.

The pot features strips of ceramic thermoelectric material that generate electricity through temperature differentials between the 550 degrees Celsius at the bottom of the pot and the water boiling inside at 100 degrees.

The company says the device takes three to five hours to charge an iPhone and can heat up your lunch at the same time.

"Unlike a solar power generator, our pot can be used regardless of time of day and weather while its small size allows people to easily carry it in a bag in case of evacuation," said director and co-developer Ryoji Funahashi.

Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/digital-life/mobiles/new-gadget-charges-mobile-phones-over-campfire-20110621-1gchj.html#ixzz1PrYAXJYe