Beautiful Electree Mini is a Bonsai Tree-Shaped Solar Charger for Your Smartphone

If you loved Vivien Muller’s beautiful <a href="http://inhabitat.com/tag/electree/" target="_blank">Electree bonsai tree-shaped solar charger</a>, you'll be excited to learn that the designer has just unveiled a smaller, more affordable version called Electree Mini. This colorful charging lantern stores energy in small batteries and can be used directly to power your gadgets every day. Muller has launched an Indiegogo campaign to fund the manufacturing process of <a href="https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/electree-mini/" target="_blank">Electree Mini</a>, and we think this one is definitely worth our support.

Electree Mini uses the same technology as its predecessor.

It captures light through flexible mini solar panels held by the branches, mimicking the process of photosynthesis.

The completely autonomous device lights up automatically at dusk.

If you simply rotate it, the light sensors change color.

The solar charger has a USB port and rests on a flat tray that holds the devices while they charge.

Electree Mini is a multi-functional sculptural object-a beautiful lamp that illuminates spaces with sun’s rays while charging your smartphone.