Interactive Telecommunications Program student Ohad Folman has created Pluggage as his final project - an item of carry-on luggage that harvests kinetic energy and solar power to charge small electrical devices.
The Pluggage has a built-in battery/inverter and a solar panel, enabling it to power up mobile devices each time the bag is rolled or exposed to direct sunlight. The kinetic energy from the rolling wheels at the base is converted via a generator/turbine into electrical energy. Folman is working on making the kinetic mechanism removable, similar to a tape cassette, so it can go through air port security easily and the kinetic mechanism can be scanned separately. He is also working on hand release switch that will enable the user to remove the friction between the motor and the wheels in certain situations. The second energy source comes from the sun as the Pluggage has a flexible solar panel that fully charges in one hour of direct sunshine.
Folman has already created a proof-of-concept prototype using a Burton bag with a Duracell PowerSource Mobile 100 battery back, a stepper motor and a Burton SolarRolls panel. Folman claims that the battery charges in about two hours with an average walking pace, and should be able to power a laptop for about an hour and a half. One hour of 'normal' walking or one hour of full sunshine gives around 45 minutes of laptop use or 9 hours of talk-time on a mobile phone. These figures are based on the prototype testing of the Pluggage.
Images source: Pluggage
For more attend: Energy Harvesting & Storage USA 2009
