Concept drawing (via Joao Paulo Lammoglia)
People have come up with some pretty ingenious ways to recharge our portable devices. Some of the more interesting ways include the PowerTrekk "hydrogen gas pucks" to recharge our portable devices, and the nPower PEG that harnesses kinetic energy for the same purpose. However, this innovative concept, designed by Joao Paulo Lammoglia, might be the most practical by taking advantage of breathing.
Called ‘AIRE’, the mask uses small wind turbines to convert our breathing into electrical energy, which is then transferred by cable direct to devices such as smartphones or tablets. Unlike solar (can’t recharge at night) or wind chargers, the AIRE mask has a potentially inexhaustible resource to draw from without regard to weather or sunlight conditions. According to Joao, the mask can be used while walking, jogging, sleeping or just about any other activity the wearer chooses (SCUBA diving excluded) which makes the charger more versatile over the other designs.
Although this might not be the most fashionable way to charge devices, in disaster areas good-looks are not in question. I can see this having a dual purpose of protecting against whatever may be in the air in a hazardous area while at the same time keeping one connected to communication networks or powering life saving equipment. Yet another "why did I not come up with this before" device.
More information on AIRE (which recently won the Red Dot design award) and other projects from Joao can be found here: http://www.joaolammoglia.net/
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