Corky Mouse Generates Kinetic Energy With Every Click
Posted By Mike Chino On February 9, 2010 @ 3:01 pm In green gadgets,Greener Gadgets,Interactive Objects,Kinetic Energy,Renewable Energy | 15 Comments
Portable wireless mice have a problem: most of them rely upon disposable batteries, which often wind up in landfills as e-waste [4]. Adele Peters’ Corky [5] mouse aims to change all that — it’s a kinetic energy [6]-harvesting mouse that is powered with a flick of the wrist. One of 18 finalists in this year’s Greener Gadgets Design Competition [7], it’s also made from 100% recycled plastic components and recycled and biodegradable cork [8].
The Corky [5] mouse uses piezoelectric [9] elements to generate energy every time you click or move it around on your desk – even rolling the scroll wheel will generate a few watts. We’ve seen many watches that harvest kinetic energy, so the technology is definitely available, and it makes a lot of sense in this application. Since computer mice function through movement, why not harness that expended energy?
Adele is also considering the device’s sustainability from a systems-based approach – something we love to see in industrial design. Plans are included for regional sourcing and assembly, product take-back and recycling, and disassembly data will be easily accessible for recycling centers. That last point is important, because a big issue with electronics recycling is that disassembly information is often considered proprietary and not disclosed, which makes the process of dismantling and recycling a device difficult if not impossible.
If you’re a fan of Corky, be sure to vote on it in this year’s Greener Gadgets Design Competition [7]!
+ Corky [5]
Article printed from Inhabitat – Sustainable Design Innovation, Eco Architecture, Green Building: http://inhabitat.com
URL to article: http://inhabitat.com/corky-mouse-generates-kinetic-energy-with-every-click/
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[3] Email: mailto:?subject=http://inhabitat.com/corky-mouse-generates-kinetic-energy-with-every-click/
[4] e-waste: http://www.inhabitat.com/2009/12/11/discarded-electronics-are-poisoning-african-children/
[5] Corky: http://cea.mblast.com/ws/wfaward/rsp/votenomination.asp?SessionID=3849282
[6] kinetic energy: http://www.inhabitat.com/energy/kineticenergy/
[7] Greener Gadgets Design Competition: http://cea.mblast.com/ws/wfaward/rsp/vote2.asp?GUID=204654
[8] cork: http://www.inhabitat.com/2010/02/04/airplanes-made-from-cork-may-soon-take-to-the-skies/
[9] piezoelectric: http://www.inhabitat.com/2009/04/14/powerleap-harnesses-energy-from-foot-steps/
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