Photo: Science Daily
Can a bicycle get greener? Yes, it can, by turning it into a bamboo recharger for your gadgets, of course. But how does it work? Pretty much the same any current electric vehicle uses the energy it produces while braking.
We all know EVs use the kinetic power produced by brakes once the drivers push that pedal. Well, Bambootec’s new bicycle concept is pretty much about that.
The Yucatan-based consortium designed a bamboo bicycle that transforms the kinetic energy generated by pedaling into source of electricity that has the ability to simultaneously recharge mobile devices, the smartphone’s external battery and a navigation dashboard located on the handlebars which measures the distance and time.
How does that work you ask? Firstly, there’s a converter, which is composed of a circuit that starts on the rim, captures the kinetic energy and turns it into electricity. Located under the seat, the core of the system will regulate the voltage generated, thus preventing discharges. Why do you need that? Because you’re obviously not able to pedal with the same rate constantly, which means the load goes up and down frequently. This would normally ruin your devices.
According to Science Daily, 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. Not only is the bike able to support up to 120 kgs (264 lbs), but it’s also lighter and less prone to heat, Bambootec’s founder explains.
As to the exact proportions, we’re looking at a green two-wheeler that is able to generate over 10 volts, enough to feed the three tracks simultaneously. In other words, its creators claim that the charge capacity for the devices is of one percent per minute. The prototype was unveiled at Cleantech Challenge Mexico, a contest that promotes the development of green projects.
We sure hope the model will soon hit the market.
The Yucatan-based consortium designed a bamboo bicycle that transforms the kinetic energy generated by pedaling into source of electricity that has the ability to simultaneously recharge mobile devices, the smartphone’s external battery and a navigation dashboard located on the handlebars which measures the distance and time.
How does that work you ask? Firstly, there’s a converter, which is composed of a circuit that starts on the rim, captures the kinetic energy and turns it into electricity. Located under the seat, the core of the system will regulate the voltage generated, thus preventing discharges. Why do you need that? Because you’re obviously not able to pedal with the same rate constantly, which means the load goes up and down frequently. This would normally ruin your devices.
According to Science Daily, 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. Not only is the bike able to support up to 120 kgs (264 lbs), but it’s also lighter and less prone to heat, Bambootec’s founder explains.
As to the exact proportions, we’re looking at a green two-wheeler that is able to generate over 10 volts, enough to feed the three tracks simultaneously. In other words, its creators claim that the charge capacity for the devices is of one percent per minute. The prototype was unveiled at Cleantech Challenge Mexico, a contest that promotes the development of green projects.
We sure hope the model will soon hit the market.
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