The brown patches in the image above are electrodes coated with genetically modified M13 bacteriophage, a virus that only attacks bacteria and is harmless to humans. When the electrodes are pressed, the viruses convert the force into electricity, as evidenced by the LCD display on top. The setup produces 6 nanoamperes of current and about 400 millivolts, about a quarter of the voltage of a triple-A battery. While there are already numerous piezoelectric technologies available, but Berkeley Labs states that those involve toxic materials and are “difficult to work with.” The modified M13 on the other hand is harmless, self-replicating and arrange themselves into organized films, making them quite promising.

I guess the video doesn’t really explain what’s going on in layman’s terms, but the full article at the Berkeley Lab News Center does have a more understandable breakdown of the research. The takeaway here is that if this virus-powered generators become fully developed, we’ll see more devices such as these that convert what would be otherwise wasted mechanical energy into electricity. Now where are the friendly worms and trojans?

[via Engadget]

The new Mophie Juice Pack Air is cheaper that its predecessor, but it’s supposed to be lighter and more convenient. I always hate when battery cases make my iPhone look way bulkier that it originally was, so it’s nice to see this one adds a minimum of bulk. The Juice Pack Air is about 10% thinner and 5% lighter than the previous generation, while providing 25% more power at 1500mAh.

The case is supposed to “virtually double” your iPhone’s battery life, which means that you’ll be able to use it for a day or more before you have to recharge it. This naturally depends on your use of your iPhone. It takes less power to play music, but more to navigate the web on 3G. Mophie claims that you’ll get about 6 extra hours of 3G talk time and 12 hours on 2G or 5 hours of extra 3G web surfing, or 9 hours on Wi-Fi.

You can get the Mophie Juice Pack Air directly from Mophie for $79.95(USD). It’s available in black, white or red.

Third Rail Mobility did cheat a bit though, because unlike other battery cases the company’s case is separate from the battery itself. The case has a slot in the back where you slide in its 1250 mAh Lithium-ion battery. As I mentioned above, the battery itself can be used to recharge other gadgets via USB, thanks to its integrated microUSB port.

This two-piece system has other advantages as well, not least of which is giving the user the option to have a slim protective case when the extra power from the battery is not needed. On the other hand, it also makes it easy to swap and use multiple batteries for more power. Also, even though the current case will only fit on the iPhone 4 & 4S, future updates to the iPhone won’t render the battery obsolete because Third Rail will make future cases compatible with new iPhones.

You can order the Third Rail Mobility battery case from the company’s website for $90 (USD). You can also order additional batteries for $60(USD) each. Or you know, Apple could just make their gadgets have swappable batteries.

[via Best Stuff]

The prongs on the Plug are actually just parts of a plastic cap that conceals a male iOS dock connector. The wire or cable end on the other hand conceals a female mini-USB connector. It would’ve been better if it had a male USB connector instead so you can just plug it in a USB port without the need for a cable. The Plug only has an 800mAh battery inside so it won’t be able to fully charge an iPhone or iPod Touch. But it is quite small and can be attached to a key ring so you can always bring it with you.

You can pre-order the Plug external battery from Gessato for $28(USD). I wonder if there’s an actual power plug that has a female USB connector on the other end. Now that would be really useful.

[via Materialicious]

The Flow was designed by Taiwan’s Fairly Bike and they just won an award at the 2012 Taipei Cycle show for their innovative design. This e-bike’s battery has been integrated into the seat post, so it can be easily removed and transported. The only problem I see is that the center of gravity is a lot higher than other bikes, and it might be harder to balance because of this.

Personally, I’m more of a conventional bike person, but if you need the extra boost and you’re looking for a healthy way of commuting, e-bikes are a good alternative, and the Flow certainly looks intriguing.

[via designboom]

The process of using roaches to create power has something to do with an enzyme roaches have that can be turned into a cockroach biofuel cell. The enzyme from the roach is able to break down sugars in the digestive tract into simpler sugars called monosaccharides. A second enzyme is introduced that oxidizes the monosaccharides and results in the release of electrons or creation of power.

So far, the system only produces around 100 µW of power, which admittedly isn’t much. Who knows what be done with that little bit of power in the future, perhaps something along the lines of little remote-control roaches to invade roach strongholds and disperse bug killer. According to the researchers, hailing from Case Western Reserve University, the little bugs aren’t harmed in any way. The electronics that are used to create power can be removed from the insects with no lasting effects.

[via medGadget via OhGizmo!]

Its makers state that with the cover in place and a reasonable amount of sunlight, you’ll be able to use your Kindle for three months straight before needing a regular recharge. The SolarKindle cover also comes with an LED lamp, to allow you late night reading. The lamp will be juiced up for 50 hours of continuous use.

The cover can also be recharged via USB, so it doubles as conventional battery in case there isn’t much sun around. Thanks to the Kindle’s minimal power requirements, an hour under the sun translates to 3 days of reading. The SolarKindle cover will retail for $79.99 when it’s launched.

The Monolith’s built-in 1900mAh battery can power the projector for up to 3 hours. Alternatively it can recharge the iPhone 4 up to 1.5 times its battery charge. Either way, you can use the projector without fear that you’ll drain your iPhone’s already precious juice. On the flip-side, this seems to imply that we shouldn’t expect smartphones to have built-in projectors anytime soon. Not if we want them to remain slim anyway.

Here’s a demo of the Monolith in action. Though you might want to turn the volume down or even mute the video altogether.

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

I’m not sure if it’s just the video or if the projector’s quality just isn’t that good. It seems bright enough to be usable though. Unfortunately none of these pros and cons matter unless you live in Japan, where it’s being sold exclusively by Sirobako for ¥19,800 (~$260 USD). If someone can hack it and add a camera to detect input, voila – super-sized touchscreen.

[via UberGizmo via OhGizmo!]

The charger is actually a small piezoelectric microbelt that has the capacity to generate tiny amounts of electricity. The researchers behind the study, Xudong Wang, Chengliang Sun and Jian Shi, explain that the device generates a charge when it vibrates because of exposure to moving air – or someone’s breath. The microbelt can hold and deliver enough energy to recharge medical devices like blood glucose monitors and pacemakers, which is great news, because the batteries for these devices often have to replaced via surgery.

The device can be implanted into the human nose. So it doesn’t make use of the breath coming from your mouth per se, although if you’re a huge talker (or a mouth breather), then that’s a whole different story.

[PhysOrg via Dvice]

If you don’t want to leave your iPhone sitting out in the sun, you can also remove the pack and charge it up separately. Once the Mobius is in the sun, charging starts immediately. There’s a handy LED readout to let you know how much of a charge is left in the pack. It can also be recharged using a USB port. A full charge will double the battery life of your phone, which is about 5 hours of talk time or 8 hours of 3G Internet or video playback. There’s a camera hole so that you can still take photos.

An hour in the sun gets you 25 minutes of talk time. The hard plastic case will also protect your iPhone. Mobius is slim and lightweight, and sells over at Amazon for about $80 (USD).

[via Cool Hunting]

The company has a new extended battery pack for the Sensation 4G that will more than double the battery life you get from the smartphone. The factory battery in the phone has 1560mAh of power, while the Mugen Power upgraded battery has 3600mAh. The downside is the Mugen battery is much thicker.

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

To get the thicker battery inside the Sensation 4G requires the use of a new battery door, included with the battery. It increases the overall thickness of the phone from about 11mm to 18mm. The part number for the Sensation 4G battery is HLI-Z710EXL and it’s available now for $104.95 (USD).

Using the complementary app, you can tweak the Bungee Air’s security settings, including the separation distance at which the alarm will go off. In case you still can’t picture how the BungeeAir works, here’s a demo:

The functionality works both ways too – if you have the iPhone on hand but can’t find the key fob (and whatever else may be attached to it), you can trigger the alarm from the app:

The Kensington BungeeAir iPhone case is available in two versions. The case that comes with an additional battery that provides up to 4 hours of call time is available at Amazon for $100 (USD). But if all you need is the security function, an $80 version is forthcoming and can be pre-ordered directly from Kensington.

[via Chip Chick]

But what if you already have someone to hold you and keep you warm on cold and lonely nights? Well, unless that person is Cole MacGrath or Max Dillon, he or she probably won’t be able to charge your gadgets, something that the dual purpose ENW-WW2 can do. Seeing as the warming bit seems to be done by the strap alone, and the power source is an Eneloop battery, I wonder if Sanyo will release the strap as a stand alone purchase. No word on that or on the electrical and thermal numerology relevant to this device, but it’s supposed to go on sale in Japan on October 21 for ¥8000 (~$104 USD).

[via Japan Today via Craziest Gadgets]

Called the Powerbag, this product line comes in a variety of forms, from backpacks to slingbags to a wheeled briefcase. The smaller Powerbags have a 3000mAh battery while the larger bags have a 6000mAh battery. The smaller battery can charge an average smartphone two times and of course the larger battery does twice that. Each bag also comes with three connectors – the 30-pin connector for Apple’s iOS devices, a micro-USB connector and a mini-USB connector – plus a USB port, meaning it can charge practically any electronic device.

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

To use the charging system, simply press and hold the power button outside the bag for 2 seconds. A quick press of the same button will give you a general idea of how much power is left in the battery. Another practical feature is that you can charge the Powerbag’s battery without taking it out of the bag.

You can check out the official website for more info. If you’ve got your credit card ready head to Amazon; to order your own Powerbag. Prices range from $76 (USD) to $250. Bag included.

[via Best Stuff]

And then there’s Elecom’s Kandenchi Battery Mouse (JP). It’s tiny and compact and comes in the shape of a battery, albeit with a simpler look and no positive or negative nodes in sight. It’s also larger than your regular D cell, but not large enough to really resemble a joystick.

The Battery Mouse comes with two buttons (the one at the top is for right-clicking, while the top one at the side is for left clicks) while the bottom button is a scroll wheel. It’s definitely a computer mouse that’s handy and extremely portable, but I reckon people with large hands might have some difficulty using it.

If you’re interested, the Kandenchi Battery Mouse will be available in October and will retail at around $65 (USD).

[via The Red Ferret Journal via Oh Gizmo!]

The tiny power generation system uses a vibrating cantilever that is made from a piezoelectric material. The material is able to generate electric potential that is turned into actual electricity to charge a thin-film battery about the size of a postage stamp. The cantilever is able to generate about 200 microwatts of power. The researchers say that 200 microwatts is a usable amount in many applications.

That is enough juice to operate low power sensors like those used to monitor tire pressure in late model automobiles. The technology can be used for lots of other things as well. There is no indication of when the tech might make it to the market.

[via Technology Review]

The bike reminds me of one of the old Harley-Davidson motorcycles from the 50′s. The bike also has more than a little of the flavor of the old British bikes in it too. It looks like that seat might be hard on the butt though.

The bike has a 72V electric motor, and has battery packs under the wide bodywork that can zip the bike along at up to 75mph. The Orphiro motorcycle has a cruising distance of 60 miles on a charge. The bike is set to launch in September and the pricing is unknown, but I bet the Orphiro isn’t cheap.

[via Inhabitat]

By harnessing the power of those nearly obsolete, chunky cylinders of power, you’ll get an additional 2 hours of battery life. The unit measures about 8″ x 6″ x 2″ and weighs about 2.3 lbs, meaning it’s thicker and weighs almost the same as the Air. 2.3lbs. isn’t that bad, but when you add eight C batteries…wait a sec while I calculate that… ah right: about 13 tons (plus 2.3lbs.) I kid, but you get the idea. I guess it’s good for field work and emergencies. But then you’d have to have it with you at all times. Just in case. So it’ll be like you bought a light notebook to compensate for its colossal emergency power source.

Bird Electron is selling the MacBook Air external battery on its online shop for ¥19,800 (~$247 USD), although I’m not sure if they ship outside Japan. By the way, the MagSafe Airline adapter needed to connect the unit to the MacBook Air is sold separately, so that’s another $49. That’s the price of having a sexy and sturdy unibody I guess – gone is the option of carrying an extra battery. Want a bulky charger for your iPad 2 as well? Bird Electron’s got one too, although it’s disappointingly less absurd since it uses four AA batteries.

[via Akihabara News via Dvice]

The Qmadix portfolio comes with a removable Bluetooth keyboard, giving you the choice to carry it around or leave it at home, while still keeping your iPad in the case. The portfolio doubles as a stand to allow for an upright viewing position too. The keyboard works with iPads as well as iPhones, and iPod Touches too.

The case also comes with a rechargeable battery, but it’s unclear if that’s only for the keyboard, or if it can be used to give your iPad some extra juice. It all sounds good, but it is pricey, with the Qmadix portfolio selling for $149.99 (USD). At least it comes with free shipping in the US.

[via Geek Alerts]

Sanyo has announced a couple of new battery models that are designed specifically for electronics and toys. The Eneloop Pro batteries are for high drain electronics like cameras and flashlights among other things. The Pro version of the batteries have a 25% higher charge capacity than other Eneloop batteries meaning they will let you use your gadget longer. Plus, they’re supposed to retain up to 75% of their charging capacity after a year of sitting unused.

The Eneloop Plus battery line is made specifically for toys and has a special overheat prevention function that will help prevent the risk of fire from a battery that gets too hot. Both batteries will only come in AA size. The Pro line will come on July 21 with the Plus version coming on December 1. The Pro version will sell for 1260 yen (~$16 USD) for a pair, but pricing on the other line and the associated chargers are unavailable at this time.