
You’ve probably seen mobile phone chargers that can power multiple devices at once and sync data between your phone and a PC. You may have even heard some rumblings about wireless chargers that power devices over the air or solar-powered cell phones. But how about a wind-powered cell phone charger?
Orange, the U.K.-based telecommunications firm, has announced plans to launch The Orange Mobile Wind Charger, a mini turbine that latches on to the top of a tent and stores power in a separate “control box” that users can plug into when their mobiles need juice.
The charger, which weighs roughly one-third of a pound and is small enough to fit into a backpack, was developed at the University of Texas at Arlington, according to Orange. Gotwind, a do-it-yourself website for energy enthusiasts, was commissioned to build the prototype charger. It was shown off at last month’s Glastonbury Festival of Contemporary Performing Arts. In an environment with consistent 12 mph winds, it would take roughly 24 hours to charge an average cell phone, according to Ben Jandrell, the founder of Gotwind.