In many places of the world, the energy crisis is real. Coal, which is one of the primary fuel options, causes not only pollution, it also has a limited quantity. Therefore, we can take a two-way approach to tackle this problem. First, we have to come up with ways of utilizing renewable sources of energy. Second, we have to find ways of reducing our electricity consumption. One of the ways of doing this is by utilizing gadgets do not require electricity to work. One such innovative gadget is heat activated fan. All it needs is heat to keep you cool.
Heat activated fan
What is it:
When it comes to making new inventions, human beings have always been able to go beyond the imaginary. How unbelievable would it be if natural gas or stove could be used to run a fan? Sounds a bit weird but this is the reality, thanks to Garrett Wade. The world is desperately looking for alternatives to their needs so that they do not harm the environment and thus provide some ease to the ailing earth. This invention is surely a step towards an eco friendly technology. It is surely the right invention at the right time when the whole world is seeking electricity saving alternatives.
Technology used:
This heat activated fan comprises of a thermoelectric motor which needs heat for the propulsion of its petals. It just needs to be placed above a heater or natural stove; the heat generated from them will propel the fan blades and provide warm wind. So, all you need to do is to place it above your stove and enjoy warm breeze that too without getting worked up thinking of the electricity bill. By using the heat activated fan, the stove too can be utilized effectively and electricity can be saved.
How does it work:
Since these fans do not run on electricity, it is totally cordless and can be placed anywhere. The price of these fans is very nominal. These are available in number of sizes so that the user can pick up according to his/her requirements. This fan will probably be very famous especially in the cold regions as they give out warm air serving the purpose of a room heater. The best part about these heat activated fans will be that you can carry them anywhere. They neither require any electricity source nor batteries.
Consumers can hugely benefit from these heat-activated fans. Firstly, because of their efficiency and secondly because they will also reduce the energy consumption of the house, thus reducing the overall electricity bill. This fan has a steel louvered body and has great looks that will surely leave you awestruck. Though these fans are a little expensive but the incentives are surely lucrative enough to attract people’s attention.
Some more gadgets similar to heat activated fan
It’s a crazy world this, where brilliant minds deliver unique ways to counter perils. These, which we literally take to be crazy for reasons more than we understand. Because our world confronts shortage of electricity, some witty souls have worked out numerous ways to let us decide our ways to conserve and produce electricity. Here are some more gadgets similar to heat activated fan that generate electricity using windows as the source.
1. Febot – Portable wind-powered battery charger
Febot is a concept battery charger designed by Ji-Yun-Kim, Soon-young Yang and Hwan-ju Jeon. The torpedo-shaped device can hold a single AA battery in its head. All you have to do is to insert the battery in the space provided and stick the device to your window. The device features an onboard wind turbine that harvest free and renewable wind energy to charge the onboard battery in a few hours.
2. Portable Solar Fan
The Portable Solar Fan by industrial designer Stuart James Sharples is a personal fan for use in the office, car or home that is powered entirely by the sun. The four suction cups allow you to stick the fan to any window and the tilting solar panel means you can adjust the angle for optimum efficiency. The neck of the fan can be tilted and rotated to ensure that the breeze is directed toward you.
3. Saint Clair Lamp
Designed by French Architect and designer Stéphane Maupin, the Saint Clair lamp is a solar-powered lamp that was one of the winning entries for the VIA Project Assistance Grant. The fan is equipped with an array of solar cells underneath its base. Provided with suction pads, the solar lamp can be attached to any window, where it can convert the renewable solar energy into usable electricity to power the lamp after dark.
4. Sticker Phone
The brainchild of industrial designer Liu Hsiang-Ling, the Sticker Phone is a sustainable communication device that runs on the clean energy provided by the sun. This concept mobile phone can be attached to the window of your living room, where it harnesses solar energy to juice up its on-board battery. Designed to be made from silicone, the phone is flexible, allowing you to stick it even on uneven surfaces.
5. Light In The Dark
Light In The Dark is an innovative blind system by Ivan Huber that collects energy from the sun by the day and releases it as needed after dark. Apart from generating renewable energy, the system also regulates the interior temperature of your house. It does so by controlling the amount of light that enters your home. Photovoltaic cells on the outer surface of the blinds absorb the sun’s energy by day. Furthermore, they also store it in a Lithium Ion battery pack. The inner surface cosists of illumination cells, each housing an LED, reflector panel and lens. When you activate them, the blinds emanate light — replicating the sunlight which enables it.
6. Smart Energy Glass
Designed by Dutch company Peer+, the Smart Energy Glass is the latest in BIPV technology. The glass generates electricity from solar energy and also gives you the desired privacy as well. Similar to the upcoming LCD glass treatments, these windows let you change their transparency level at the flick of a switch and feature a “Privacy Mode” where the glass is at its darkest.
7. Lucet Lamp
Conceptualized by industrial designer Rui Palma, the Lucet Lamp has been designed to harvest solar energy for nighttime illumination. The Lucet sticks to windows and harvests solar energy during the day to give light at night. The solar panel feeds two AAA batteries so the three white LED can give a strong white glow to the house after dark.
8. SunIT Solar-powered Window Blind
The SunIT is a solar-powered window blind system that has been designed by Yoon Lee and KC Chung. The eco-chic, dual-function solar cell window blinds serves as window shades during the daytime and transforms into lighting device after dark. Each blind panel is made up of sealed dye-sensitized solar cells with an OLED film integrated into the structure.
9. Energy generating window shades
The Energy generating window shades concept has been designed by Damien Savio. The system can absorb sunlight during the day and use it to illuminate your room at night. The design is claimed to be able to convert 4 hours of direct sunlight into enough electricity to power a 60W bulb for 6 hours.
10. Sun Tiles
The Sun Tiles by industrial designer Astrid Krogh is a solar curtain that not only blocks solar heat but also acts as a renewable energy generator. The concept features photovoltaic modules that are woven into textile. These curtains collect energy to generate power, block solar heat and also act as a thermal mass, which heats your interiors when it’s cold outside.
11. Solar Modules
Designed by Studio Vinaccia, the Solar Modules are ceramic tiles equipped with photoelectric cell and a module carrying the lighting system. The system also works as a curtain protecting the living room from being overheated by the sun. In doing so the system harnesses solar energy during the day, which is used to illuminate your interiors after dark. The front and the back of the system is symmetrical and interchangeable, leaving full freedom to the user to change the appearance of the design.
12. Energy Curtain
Similar in concept to the solar modules, the Energy Curtain by industrial designers Anders Ernevi, Margot Jacobs, Ramia Mazé, Carolin Müller, Johan Redström and Linda Worbin is a woven solar energy collecting device that is equipped with light-emitting materials. During daytime the curtains you can draw these curtains to provide shade and harvest solar energy. Furthermore, after dark, you can use this energy to generate a glowing pattern on the inside of the curtain.
