Mr Pascal Katana and Mr Jeremiah Murimi, fourth year Electrical and Information Engineering students at the University of Nairobi, have designed a simple, yet sophisticated device that could dramatically change lives in rural areas and boost the boda boda industry.
Costing Sh350, the device, made from recycled electronic equipment, is connected to the dynamo at the rear wheel of a bicycle which produces heat when the cycle is in motion.
This heat is converted to electricity which is used to charge phones. No charging can take place unless the bicycle is being peddled.
The device has a capacitor that stores and controls the current while a voltage standby stabiliser reduces the current from the dynamo, which produces the six to three volts required by the smart charger.
Peterson Githaiga/Daily Nation
Mr Katana (right) and Mr Karimi, students at the University of Nairobi, demonstrate how their mobile phone charging device works.
"We made the smart charger from discarded electronic equipment we found at a dumpsite in Ngara," Mr Katana told Nation at the University of Nairobi where the two demonstrated their invention on Tuesday.
"We get the equipment from discarded radios, television sets and computers, among other electronics," he said.
The two said their invention could significantly reduce dependence on electricity to charge phones in the rural areas as most villagers own bicycles.
Source: AHU – David A-O