Like something out of a middle school science fair project, (a ton of) potatoes and apples can be used to charge smartphones. Instead of having to utilize 800 pieces of produce to generate a charge, a Barcelona-based company, Arkyne Technologies, wants to use a single plant. The company’s product, a pot called the Bioo Lite, uses the energy generated by photosynthesis to charge smartphones. It’s an idea scientists have been researching for several years. If you remember back to science class, photosynthesis is the process by which sunlight is used to turn CO2, and water into oxygen and organic compounds. Bacteria in the pot breaks up the compounds, releasing electrons that travel along nanowires. The resulting electricity powers a typical USB port, where you can plug in your phone or tablet cable. The plant generates power both day and night, so users can charge their phones anytime - up to three times a day.