Now it is wind-up batteries

12 September 2001 News

A wind-up battery - the brainchild of engineer Howard Atkin - obviates the need for traditional batteries or mains electricity to power electrical products. This idea, from the UK, can offer major benefits of practicality, cost-saving and of maintaining the integrity of the environment.

In the accompanying photograph a user is shown operating the energy-storage unit to recharge a mobile phone on board a yacht in St Katharine's Dock, London. Radios and torches can be charged by hand in a matter of seconds, according to the developers, Atkin Design & Development (AD&D).

The power unit comprises a gearbox made from lightweight advanced materials, coupled with a super-efficient generator. Purpose-designed electronics control the rate of winding and the power input to the energy-storage system. The unit can be configured to fit into most electric goods, even the sole of a shoe, or a walking stick to provide power wherever it is needed. It has been successfully trialled on a range of other specially modified electric items, such as razors, personal CD players and toys.

The energy-storage system is at prototype stage and the manufacturer expects it to be reduced to a hundredth of its size for commercial manufacture. It is expected to sell at about £30.

Atkin Design & Development (AD&D), tel: (0944) 1625 859615, e-mail: [email protected]

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