Charging electronic devices in an eco-friendly way without having to plug them in the socket is the dream of everyone. We have already told you about technologies that use solar and wind energy that can supply the very needed extra charge to the battery of your portable electronic device, but these always require direct exposure to the source of energy. Now, a new invention that uses dye solar cells placed on the surface of a coffee table, can do this indoors by absorbing indirect light, mimicking the process of photosynthesis.
The benefits of dye solar cells have been known for quite some time now. Although not as efficient as the commonly known organic solar cells, these are cheaper and have proven very effective indoors. Marjan van Aubel, a creative Dutch designer, is one of the few who has realized that an object that is both practical and beautiful can go a long way. In collaboration with Solaronix, a company which produces dye solar cells, she designed the so-called Current Table, a piece of furniture, which not only provides the needed surface to place your laptop, but it also functions as a source of energy, allowing you to charge it while writing an email.
The surface of the table comprises of dye solar sells, which create an electrical current using the properties of color, a process similar to photosynthesis. To harvest energy these cells do not require direct sunlight, making the piece of furniture extremely useful in any closed space- from your kitchen to the airport lounge. The table has a number of USB ports, where the device can be plugged.
This is only one of the many different pieces that van Aubel has designed as part of her Energy Collection. The idea behind every one of her inventions is to be able to harvest free energy with virtually any object that you have lying around your house. Yes, it might not be a great deal of energy, but “every little helps”, right?
Image (c) Marjan van Aubel
