Whereas electrical energy is an integral a part of our each day lives, some trendy applied sciences don’t require electrical energy to perform. These applied sciences depend on different vitality sources, resembling mechanical vitality, photo voltaic vitality, or kinetic vitality, to function. On this article, find out how seven trendy know-how examples work with out electrical energy.
Photo voltaic-powered calculators
One typical occasion of know-how that doesn’t require electrical energy is solar-powered calculators. These calculators are run on photo voltaic cells, which rework sunshine into electrical energy. The calculator might be powered in low mild because of the photo voltaic cells, that are sometimes built-in into the calculator’s show. Calculators powered by photo voltaic vitality are ceaselessly used open air, with restricted entry to electrical energy.
Photo voltaic-powered calculators launched the general public to inexperienced vitality a few years in the past: https://t.co/W2aza1LJtt
— Nationwide Geographic (@NatGeo) February 26, 2016
Mechanical watches
Mechanical watches depend on the vitality produced by a wound spring. Due to their precision and longevity, mechanical watches have been used for hundreds of years and are nonetheless extensively used right now.
The watch’s motion is pushed by winding the spring, which shops the vitality launched when the spring unwinds. The mechanical motion’s high quality, influenced by the watch’s design and the watchmaker’s expertise, determines how correct the timepiece will likely be.
Wind-up radios
One other instance of know-how that doesn’t require a connection to an electrical energy supply is a wind-up radio. These radios are powered by a hand-cranked spring mechanism that powers a tiny generator to generate electrical energy. The radio’s circuitry and audio system are powered by the electrical energy produced. Wind-up radios are sometimes employed in emergencies or areas with probably restricted entry to vitality.
In Sudan, @unamidnews has distributed photo voltaic wind-up radios to weak communities, serving to them entry life-saving data.
Extra on the work of the mission in Darfur: https://t.co/YAkK3EfoTK pic.twitter.com/TnTOha7fOK
— United Nations (@UN) January 30, 2020
Water-powered clocks
Clocks operating on water are a uncommon know-how that doesn’t want electrical energy. These clocks are powered by the vitality created by the motion of water. The traditional Greeks developed the primary water-powered clocks extensively utilized in medieval Europe.
The burden and float of the clock are linked by way of a cable to function it. The burden strikes the clock, whereas the float controls the water circulate to maintain the timepiece correct.
Bicycle-powered mills
Bicycle-powered mills are an uncommon instance of know-how that doesn’t require a connection to an electrical energy output. These mills are powered by pedaling a bicycle, which drives a small generator to provide electrical energy.
That is the place all of it actually began: Soichiro Honda’s first bike in 1946, a bicycle powered by WW2 navy generator. Known as the Putt Putt pic.twitter.com/KfwJfwPlMh
— Mat Oxley (@matoxley) October 14, 2016
The generated electrical energy can energy numerous units, together with lights, followers and radios. Bicycle-powered mills are ceaselessly utilized in remoted areas or conditions the place electrical energy entry could also be restricted.
Hand-cranked flashlights
Hand-cranked flashlights use the hand crank to provide electrical energy, which powers the flashlight. The little battery that shops the generated electrical energy powers the flashlight’s LED bulb. Hand-cranked flashlights are ceaselessly utilized in emergencies or locations the place entry to electrical energy could also be scarce.
Gravity-powered lamps
One-of-a type know-how that doesn’t require electrical energy is gravity-powered lighting. In these lights, gravity powers an LED mild supply that may produce as much as 20 minutes of sunshine per cycle. A generator that expenses a battery is powered by the weighted twine that the lamp pulls.
1⃣ I attempt to sustain with environmentally preferable merchandise tech, however this one was new to me: gravity-powered lamps.
They’re significantly fitted to off-grid areas the place it might be troublesome to make use of a (less expensive!) solar-powered lamp.
Supply: https://t.co/dOziuxqzd8 pic.twitter.com/CtvWM7pfyZ
— Ronald Steenblik (@RonSteenblik) March 4, 2022
The battery’s saved vitality then powers the LED bulb. Gravity-powered lamps are helpful in locations the place entry to electrical energy could also be constrained, resembling in rural villages or throughout energy outages.
