Bamboo bike recharges mobile devices by pedalling
While cycling, the individual produces energy that can be transformed into electricity
Researchers have developed a bamboo bicycle that can simultaneously recharge mobile devices, smartphone's external battery and a navigation dashboard just by pedalling. The bike transforms the kinetic energy generated by pedalling into a source of electricity. It has the ability to simultaneously recharge mobile devices, smartphone's external battery and a navigation dashboard located on the handlebars, which measures the distance and time, and also has Bluetooth connection.
The energy transfer is possible thanks to a converter, which is composed of a circuit that starts on the rim, captures the kinetic energy and converts it into electricity, said Cristina Espinosa Lopez, founder of Bambootec consortium from Yucatan state in the south of Mexico. When pedalling, the cyclist produces energy that is transformed into electricity. However, if done irregularly, by either unexpected racing or braking, the load rises and falls; to solve this problem a regulator was added to the converter to administer the charge evenly.
In addition to the power converter system, the bicycle has a frame (vertices and edges) assembled with bamboo sticks connected by a special resin. The aim was to replace metal parts for this natural material in order to provide the vehicle with greater resistance (supports 120 kilos), also making it lighter and less prone to heat, said Lopez.
Once the converter regulates the energy charge, this is transmitted through three channels of power, which are cables with a USB output. One is connected to the navigation screen located on the handlebars of the bicycle, which indicates the number of kilometres and time passed, and provides the option to establish a connection via Bluetooth to link to a smartphone.
The other terminal of the power converter recharges any mobile device, while the third one is exclusive to recharge smartphone’s external batteries. The energy generated by the bicycle (over 10 volts) is enough to feed the three tracks simultaneously, Lopez said.