Dynamo

The Etón Corporation has now announced details of pricing for the BoostTurbine and BoostBloc portable power packs that debuted at IFA 2012 back in September.  Read More

Eton came to IFA 2012 to show off its Rukus portable Bluetooth sound system and FRX Series of preparedness radios to Europe's green technology lovers but also treated us to a surprise unveiling of its new Power Boost USB battery packs. As the name suggests, the BoostTurbine sports a hand crank to keep the conversation going even when its own juice is drained. Meanwhile, the largest capacity BoostBloc portable power pack is claimed to be capable of simultaneously charging two smartphones.  Read More

Despite the continuous advances being made in lithium-ion battery technology, many cyclists still prefer to use dynamo-powered lights on their bikes – there’s no having to remember to recharge the batteries, no subsequent forgetting to put the light back on the bike, and no worrying about the batteries unexpectedly giving out mid-ride. Dynamos, however, have their own drawbacks. Friction-powered sidewall units slow the bike down and wear out the tire, while dynamo hubs must be built into the wheel, and add to the bike’s revolving weight. Now, however, German inventor Dirk Strothmann has created what he claims is a better alternative – a small, no-contact, self-contained dynamo bike light.  Read More

While insufficient battery-life can be annoying in most mobile devices, getting cut off from the outside world because your radio has run out of juice can be much more serious. This is why Eton has been producing various devices powered by hand-turbines and solar panels for some time now. Today’s CES Unveiled saw Eton demonstrating its latest FRX line of self-powered radios that come in three flavors – the FRX 3 and FRX 2, which both sport a solar panel and hand turbine, and the FRX 1, which features just the hand-turbine. Also on show was Eton’s new Rukus portable Bluetooth sound system, which comes in battery- and solar-powered versions.  Read More

If your bike has a hub dynamo, the BioLogic ReeCharge Power Pack lets you run portable USB powered devices while you ride. Whilst we've recently seen bicycle recharge kits, the ability to charge via USB is pretty novel. Basically it's a battery with a USB port that charges from the energy generated by your dynamo and then tops-up your device when you plug it in. That means you can charge the battery and then charge your device when you arrive at your destination, or, if it's practical, charge your device on the go, allowing you to use your smartphone's GPS function whilst riding.  Read More

Here’s how the natural energy cycle works: the sun creates energy when it causes the plants to grow, the plants create energy when they’re eaten by animals, the animals and the plants create energy when they’re consumed by people, and then the people create energy when they do things like open doors. That’s sort of the idea, anyway, and it’s one that New York architectural designers Carmen Trudell and Jenny Broutin have tried to express through their design firm, FLUXXlab. They have created several clever devices designed to convert human energy into electricity, and to educate people on their place within the energy cycle.  Read More

Eton showed its SCORPION for the first time today at CES. It's terming the unit a “solar-powered, all-terrain, multi-functional unit”, but that really doesn't quite capture how impressive this ruggedised device actually is, particularly given its recommended price of USD50. For starters, power can come three ways: via solar panel, dynamo hand-crank, or DC adapter, allowing use anywhere. Its ruggedised appearance, aluminum carabiner clip and LED flashlight leave no doubt it is aimed directly at the adventurer, particularly so with its offering immediate detailed weather conditions via the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) weather bands. But wait, there's more ...  Read More

In bygone days, a bicycle dynamo struggled to generate enough energy to power a weak headlight for the lonely cyclist riding home on a dark night. Back then it was the only electronic application that a cyclist needed because dynamos were first invented when riders still made calls from public telephone booths or stopped to read a map for directions. But a new bicycle dynamo system called PedalPower+ can help recharge the arsenal of battery-powered accessories modern cyclists’ rely on for communications, navigation and entertainment - on the fly.  Read More