A Russian startup funded by two of Russia’s largest nanotech centers, Dubna just outside Moscow and Sygma.Novosibirsk from Siberia, has developed what appears to be a brand new charging device for a variety of portable gadgets, Rusnanonet.ru reported.
The innovation draws upon the principles of hydrogen energy. The HandyPower charger is said to enable the charging of various gadgets, including mobile phones, iPods, navigators, portable lighting systems and laptops, which are located far from sources of electricity.
The device is believed to be “unique” as to generate electrical energy the new system uses ordinary water and activated aluminum powder. Aluminum reacts with water, oxidizes and releases hydrogen; the latter passes through a fuel cell membrane to turn into vapor, capturing oxygen from the air in the process. An electrical current is generated in the membrane as this happens.
According to the developers, no other charger-maker in the world applies such a principle to its serial production. Aside from the consumer markets, the developers hope the new charging device will be brought to the attention of the military and emergency agencies that may want to use it in far-flung regions and during rescue operations in disaster areas.
HandyPower has been backed by Skolkovo, the international tech hub under completion on the outskirts of Moscow, and RVC, the state-owned fund of funds for innovation. Recently, the startup participated in Slush 2014, a large European innovation show in Finland, which is reported to have resulted in talks with “interested investors.” Commercial launch is planned for 2015, Rusbase reported recently.
