Sam Oliver
In want of a free wall outlet, future mobile phone users could simply plug in to the nearest cactus thanks to a new system called E-Kaia — Â developed by a team of researchers in Chile — Â that collects the leftover energy from photosynthesis.
E-Kaia can charge small devices, like mobile phones or LED lights, using a single healthy plant. As noted by the Manquehue Institute, the E-Kaia team says its invention can output as much as 5 volts at 0.6 amps.
For comparison, Apple's ultra-compact USB power adapter — Â included with the iPhone — pushes 5 volts at 1 amp.
Energy is captured from the plant via a "biocircuit board," though further details of E-Kaia's inner workings are scant. The group is reluctant to say more while its patents are still under review.
Creators Evelyn Aravena, Carolina Guerrero, and Camila Rupcich hope to commercialize E-Kaia this year, having received funding from the economic development arm of the Chilean government.
E-Kaia is not the first system of this type, but if the technology holds up it would prove to be by far the most efficient. Plant-e, based in the Netherlands, says its competing solution requires 100 square meters of plants to harvest a similar amount of energy.
Charles Martin
Malcolm Owen
Andrew O'Hara
William Gallagher
19 Comments
Nice idea, I like it. At last, a use for cactuses :)
It is amusing to see who'll fall for a hoax. Perpetual motion anyone?
"Call within the next 30 minutes and we'll send you the whole home kit that turns your lawn into a 10KW "power plant" for just $99.95... (Processing and handling not included)"
That would be enough to be useful. Years ago I had a desktop clock (different, ancient tech) that used a potted plant--or a piece of fruit, potato, etc.--as the battery. It worked. Actually, it would go a while on our tap water alone (impurities)! They didn't describe it as energy from photosynthesis, but I suppose that's what it was: the chemical action of the plant in the soil only has one power source: the sun. Now, how MUCH better is the newer tech than what we had years ago? We'll see.
Man, tell me this is true... cos my window boxes of weed could take on a whole new usefulness! ;-/