...AND CHEAPER...:

Designed by scientists from NTU Singapore, the new wind harvester is able to generate and store power at wind speeds as low as 2 metres per second (m/s). Each wind harvester is only 15cm by 20cm and can produce a voltage of 3 volts and generate electricity power of up to 290microwatts.

The wind harvesters also boast low wear and tear, made as they are from a fibre epoxy. The main energy generating attachment that interacts with the wind is also made from inexpensive materials such as copper, aluminium foil, and Teflon. [...]

[T]he NTU scientists believe their wind harvesters have potential as a replacement for batteries in LED lights and structural health monitoring sensors - such as those used on bridges and skyscrapers.

In laboratory tests, the wind harvester was able to power 40 LEDs consistently at a wind speed of 4m/s.

Tweet   @brothersjudd