Read more about the general concept here: [reubenmiller.typepad.com]
Title: Storable Kinetic Energy � a.k.a Kineticel� Baby Gear - Capturing kinetic energy in baby gear by cycling that same energy back into the gear that utilizes it, in a removable/storable form.
Description: Develop specially outfitted baby gear that utilizes energy-harnessing methods and stores it for later use in the form of a removal cell (battery).
The idea is to engineer an energy-harnessing module to recycle the massive amounts of kinetic energy expended during their use (from rocking, bouncing, etc.)
How does this pertain to energy? Consumer goods are only beginning to use kinetic-energy generation technology such as piezoelectric and elecromagnetic. My hope is to directly benefit the next generation with these technologies.
Why is this important? In 2004, 4,112,052 births were registered in the United States. If only a quarter these babies’ used a battery-operated bouncer seat each year, over 6.2 million D-batteries would be consumed. This represents just a fraction of the baby gear that uses battery power. We need to curb this consumption.
BUSINESS PLAN - KINETICEL� BABY GEAR
Summary: If 10,000 dollars were available to research and develop a working prototype, this would be the start of a whole range of devices that can 1- access kinetic energy, 2- store it and 3- keep it modular and easily reusable.
The challenge would be to engineer a module small enough to be built into a stroller, swing or bouncing seat. The transfer of the energy to a removable storable unit (cell) �would be another challenge.
Core technologies: The energy-generation technologies that may be best suited for this project are piezoelectric (generated by vibrations) or electromagnetic (friction of copper coils over a magnet.)
Requirements for development: This project requires the expertise of electrical engineers to develop the core functioning unit (made of two parts) A- the generator, and B- the storage module.
An industrial engineer will be necessary to incorporate the core device into the baby bouncer seat or swing and design its form.
A working prototype must be built, with cost analysis for a marketable price point. The product (or product line) will be marketed to a higher-income, eco-savvy consumer that is looking to buy this product for its ‘green’ qualities rather than as a cost saving measure.
Strategic considerations: Baby gear specifically is a great starting point for the Kineticel concept since babies are always born and the amount of dollars spent on baby-related gear is very high. Nearly every household with a baby will buy a swing, baby bouncer and stroller and each of these are potentially able to harness kinetic energy using the model above.
(detailed PDF available by request)
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by: Yael Miller �
licence: Copyright / All rights reserved �
tags: eco green energy |
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We've seen some extremely DIY auto-lacing sneakers, but it looks like the big boys -- Nike -- have thought about getting in on the game as well. Patent filings which occurred in early through late 2009 show off an automatic lacing system that is pretty reminiscent of Marty McFly's invention in Back to the Future, and we can tell you that from the looks of it, it's a future we'd definitely like to inhabit. The shoes appear to boast a charging system and lights in addition to the lacing component, and while so few patent apps ever lead to a real retail product, we're really rooting for this one. One more image below.
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