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On the go is par for the course in today’s world. Check out these portable devices that help save the environment and lives. 

In this fast-paced world, portability is key. From the essential to the life-saving, these innovative devices have been trimmed down in size for life on the go.

Wind power in your backpack

Collapsible into the size of a one-liter water bottle, the Shine Turbine harnesses the power of the wind to charge USB devices on the go.

Designed by Canadian company Aurea, Shine is shaped like a miniature Zeppelin. The turbine has three curved blades and a collapsible tripod that can be stored inside it. The 40-watt turbine has a built-in 12,000 mAh internal lithium-ion battery that can either charge devices or store power for later use. The turbine can also be charged before a trip using a standard wall outlet.

Built for outdoor adventurers, this portable wind turbine weighs three pounds or 1.3 kilos and can be set up in two minutes. To set up Shine, you stick the tripod into the ground and hold it down with tensioned cables. After, you can unscrew the bottom cap of the wind turbine to extend the blades and secure the turbine on top of the tripod. The turbine automatically turns into the wind and has a weatherproof rating of IP54. It can be used in rainy conditions and can withstand the build-up of dirt, sand, and dust.

To appeal to backpackers, RV campers, and other nomads, Shine had to be designed for portability. 

“People said, ‘We won’t carry it if it weighs more than three pounds,'” said Cat Adaley, a mechanical engineer and founder of Aurea. “Every design feature was weighed.” According to an article by Fast Company, Shine’s battery makes up a third of the weight. The tripod is made of aluminum, which is more affordable, stable, and durable than carbon fiber. The turbine’s body and blades are made of weatherproof polycarbonate reinforced plastic.

Shine has a power-to-weight ratio of 29.5 watts per kilogram. According to Aurea, this makes Shine more efficient than any comparable water turbines, thermoelectric stoves, or solar panels.

“We’re offering wind power that fits in your backpack,” Adaley said. “Wind is the second-largest producer of clean energy in the world, yet most people don’t have direct access to it. As a team of outdoor enthusiasts with backgrounds in science and engineering, we set out to create a wind power product that gives users the freedom to produce their own clean energy day or night, rain, cloud, or shine.”

Power anywhere you park

Range anxiety is a common and understandable fear among electric vehicle drivers. A portable EV charger could help ease those worries. 

Weighing around 50 pounds, this device has wheels and a retractable handle, making it easy to store in your EV’s trunk for on-the-go charging. According to the company, the EV charger can provide up to 20 miles of range after a 30-minute charge. It will also have the same price as a fully installed home charger.

The portable EV charger has an AC/DC inverter for two-way charging, enabling it to store power off-peak and supply it back to the grid at peak times. The company is also developing a mobile app so users can track the battery’s charging speed and status. 

Zapping seawater into drinking water

Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have developed a portable device that converts seawater into clean drinking water with the push of a button.

Weighing less than 10 kilograms and the size of a suitcase, the prototype uses electrical power to remove particles and salts from the seawater. Processing one liter of water per hour, it can operate using less power than a cellphone charger and can be charged by a portable solar panel. The prototype generates drinking water that exceeds the quality standards of the World Health Organization (WHO).

Doing away with replacement filters and high-energy pumps minimizes maintenance requirements, while its portability makes it ideal for remote areas with limited resources. It can be used in long-term expeditions, military operations, disaster management, and humanitarian operations.

“The demonstrated portable desalination system is unprecedented in size, efficiency, and operational flexibility,” the researchers wrote in a paper published in the American Chemical Society journal Environmental Science & Technology. “Therefore, it could address unique water challenges in remote, resource-limited regions of the world.”

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