Feb 18 2009 Sure, Why Not?: Rechargeable Solar Batteries

You know what I hate? Rhubarb. Never liked it. Also, when batteries die. Or a beloved family pet. *sniff* Focus, GW, focus. BAAAAAATTERIES!

Designed by Knut Karlsen, the SunCats are basically a set of old NiMH rechargeable batteries wrapped in a flexible Photo Voltaic cell created by the Institute for Energy Technology. When the batteries are drained, you simply leave them sitting in a windowsill or anywhere with ample sunlight and they'll recharge themselves.

Unfortunately, the batteries are slow as hell to recharge. I'm talking like light-years here. Psyche -- light-years are a measure of distance, not time! But the batteries do take forever to charge. I wasn't lying about that. But I was lying when I said I love you. I just wanted to see what color underwear you were wearing.

SunCat Solar Batteries [ohgizmo]

Jun 24 2008 Melon-Powered Device Chargers Coming

So I'm making today Kinetic Energy Day on Geekologie. First the Dance Charger, and now the possibility of bra electitricity.

It turns out that the physics of breast motion have been studied closely for the last two decades by a gamut of researchers, most of them women with the exception of The Geekologie Writer. LaJean Lawson, a former professor of exercise science at Oregon State University, has studied breast motion since 1985 and now works as a consultant for companies like Nike to develop better sports bra designs.

Lawson explained that breasts move on three different axes: from side to side, front to back, and up and down. The most motion is generated on the vertical axis. Naturally, the bigger the breast, the more momentum it generates. "Let's face it--if you're a double-A marathoner, you're probably not going to get that iPod up and running," Lawson said. Measurements compiled by Lawson and her colleagues show that a D-cup in a low-support bra can travel as much as 35 inches up and down (35 inches!) during exercise, while a B-cup in a high-support bra barely moves an inch.

ZOINKS! Honestly, I have no idea if boob-power is possible or not because I stopped reading the article there and started speculating with The Superficial Writer if there's a chick in the world with the melons to jump start a car. What can I say, we're scientists.

Victoria's Circuit - Harnessing the untapped power of breast motion [slate]

Thanks Chuck and Katlyn, I'll never look at knockers the same way again.

Jun 24 2008 Phone Charger Powered By Dance, Ecstasy

The Dance Charge is a prototype phone charger that powers your phone by harnessing the kinetic energy of your dance moves. You just strap the thing to your arm, drop some ecstasy, and then let your eyes roll up in the back of your head while you flail around like an epileptic.

The device - which weighs 180grams and measures about the same size as a pack of cards - will be strapped to peoples arms and tested at Glastonbury Festival this week.

As the dancers moves their arms along to the music - a specially designed system of weights and magnets creates an electrical current which provides a top-up charge to a connected mobile phone.

The charger was developed by Orange UK and 'GotWind', a renewable energy company, and is being tested at the Glastonbury festival this week. But the device isn't just limited to harnessing dance energy. It also works if you swing your arms while you run or masturbate like a crazy person.

Dance powered phone charger for Glastonbury Festival [newslite]

Thanks to Charles and Damn Luddites, now lets go to a rave and make out with some chicks in the moonbounce

Mar 27 2008 Footlume Lights Up The Way With Butterflies

The Footlume is being developed at London South Bank University and will be displayed in London later this month. It's a rug. With lights that come on when you walk on it. That look like butterflies. It runs on rechargeable batteries and is questionable because what good is a lighted rug if, by the time it turns on, you're nowhere near it? Ah, for aesthetic purposes, I see. Well could I maybe get some skulls instead of butterflies? It's not that I don't like them, it's just that, well, they're a little feminine for my taste. Sure I wear Secret deodorant, but that's only because it doesn't leave stains on my white shirts. And its pH balance really works with my body.

Michael Jackson Was On To Something [albotas]

Dec 14 2007 USB Batteries Are USB Rechargeable

We posted about the USBCELL batteries before, and now they're available for purchase. USBCELL is a product line by Moxia Energy that features USB rechargeable batteries. Right now the company only has AAs for sale, but 9Vs are coming soon, along with cell phone and device batteries. The AAs are $17.49 for a two pack, or $160 for twenty. Pretty expensive, but I like the idea. I want some, but I'm going to hold out until they're a bit cheaper. I just don't have $18 to spend on batteries right now -- I already owe my parents $60 in rent. Which is pretty f***ed up, charging your own son rent. So what if I'm 30, I'm still trying to find myself. Say, maybe I'm in this bong. *bubble, bubble, hack, cough* Nope, not there. "WHAT DO YOU WANT MOM? NO I'M NOT SMOKING IN THE HOUSE. SHUT UP! I RENT THIS DAMN ATTIC, I CAN DO WHAT I WANT! I KNOW I'M LATE ON RENT, IT'S COMING. LEAVE ME ALONE!"

USBCELL

thanks to Anexio, who needs no recharging to pleasure the ladies, for the tip

Dec 4 2007 Cigarette Lighter Flashlight For Your Car

The Spotlight Rechargeable LED Light ($15) is a little flashlight that charges in you car's 12 volt cigarette lighter. It's got a high output 0.5 watt LED, fully charges in 3 hours, and will last over an hour on a charge. Could be handy if you're hungry and remember there are probably some Wendy's fries under the seat. I'd get it for that purpose alone, because I'm tired of just randomly fishing around down there with my hand. Just yesterday I thought I had scored a fry but didn't realize it was a pencil until after I had swallowed it.

Note: The concept was apparently conceived on a piece of lined paper, which we all know is inferior to a bar napkin for ground breaking ideas, so purchase at your own risk.

Spotlight Rechargeable LED Light For Your Vehicle [coolestgadgets]

Nov 5 2007 USB Lighter Has KOOL Design, No Flame

Nathan Gabriele has conceptualized a USB device that can light cigarettes without the use of a flame, using resistance coils (like car lighters) instead. It would contain a battery cell that would be good for a number of uses, and could be recharged via USB. He also threw in some flash memory, just for shits and giggles. Not the worst thing I've ever seen, although why you'd design it to look like a Zippo with a KOOL logo on the side makes absolutely no sense. The logical choice would have been something that looked like a breast (complete with nipple) and had a rubber texture. Come on designers, just because it's a lighter doesn't mean it has to look like one. Think outside the box.

Flameless Rechargeable USB Lighter [yankodesign]