Discarded laptop-batteries could power slums in India
A study done by IBM researchers in India in collaboration with a hardware R&D firm called RadioStudio have found that discarded laptop-batteries can still power slums in India and other developing countries. The researchers recently presented at a #-Link-Snipped-# in San Jose, USA and stated that 70% of the discarded Lithium-ion laptop batteries have enough energy to power an LED light on a regular use of at least 4 hours per day for a year.
Meet UrJar – a rechargeable device built using parts of a discarded Lithium-ion laptop batteries which can power an LED lights and a mobile charger. The word UrJar is an amalgam of urja (means energy in Hindi) and jar (means a box). Researchers extracted the storage units called cells from multiple battery samples and recombined them to form battery packs. After that charging ports were added and after rigorous testing the device was then given to 5 users in Bangalore slum areas.
The field test was a success as the participants appreciated the device safer, cheaper and easier to use after being compared to existing solutions. They also suggested to add additional features such as the option of connecting a FM radio and to make the wires rat-resistant. Vikas Chandan, one of the research scientist who led the project said that the most expensive component in these devices is the battery and in this case, the part is actually coming from the trash. Thus, making the cost of the device just 600 INR.
Considering all the suggestion, a new version of the device is now being tested. The researchers also suggested multiple variants of the UrJar where the device could be charged using solar energy or other type of batteries could be used instead or reusing just Lithium-ion batteries. According to Technology Review, IBM says that the technology could be offered free to the developing countries.
#-Link-Snipped-# | <a href="https://www.dgp.toronto.edu/~mjain/UrJar-DEV-2014.pdf" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">PDF</a>
Meet UrJar – a rechargeable device built using parts of a discarded Lithium-ion laptop batteries which can power an LED lights and a mobile charger. The word UrJar is an amalgam of urja (means energy in Hindi) and jar (means a box). Researchers extracted the storage units called cells from multiple battery samples and recombined them to form battery packs. After that charging ports were added and after rigorous testing the device was then given to 5 users in Bangalore slum areas.
The field test was a success as the participants appreciated the device safer, cheaper and easier to use after being compared to existing solutions. They also suggested to add additional features such as the option of connecting a FM radio and to make the wires rat-resistant. Vikas Chandan, one of the research scientist who led the project said that the most expensive component in these devices is the battery and in this case, the part is actually coming from the trash. Thus, making the cost of the device just 600 INR.
Considering all the suggestion, a new version of the device is now being tested. The researchers also suggested multiple variants of the UrJar where the device could be charged using solar energy or other type of batteries could be used instead or reusing just Lithium-ion batteries. According to Technology Review, IBM says that the technology could be offered free to the developing countries.
#-Link-Snipped-# | <a href="https://www.dgp.toronto.edu/~mjain/UrJar-DEV-2014.pdf" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">PDF</a>
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