E-Charkha
A spinning wheel that produces both yarn and electricity

The traditional Indian charkha spinning wheel was originally designed as a domestic tool for less privileged women to increase their income by selling homemade clothes. This design converts the traditional charkha into a modern tool for empowerment and clean energy.

A battery attached to the design stores the energy generated by spinning. Two hours of operation can power an LED lamp or a radio for eight hours. It is easy to use, strong, and reliable, designed specifically for a lifelong operation with a zero carbon footprint.

“Light is an important part of human life and activity. Homes in rural India that are not connected by the grid use candles, kerosene and, vegetable oil lamps to create light after sunset. However, these light sources are insufficient, unhealthy, and expensive. They produce smoke, smell, and heat, as well as add to global warming,” said the team behind the design.

“The ‘charkha’ is a device for spinning yarn that was propagated for the economic empowerment of the rural poor by Mahatma Gandhi Ji, the father of our nation, India. This charkha now sees a new form as the e-charkha, which produces both yarn and electricity.”

Electricity produced by the e-charkha can be stored and power an LED light bulb, helping people in their daily tasks such as cooking, infant care, and household tasks after nightfall, improving their quality of life.

The access to clean and on-demand light gives school children a greater window to education and improves their possibilities in life. The e-charkha can also power a medium such as the radio, which provides entertainment, disaster warnings, and educational information and awareness for the whole family.

“The simple, straightforward method to generate one’s own electricity and use it at will for a dual purpose improve the overall quality of e-charkha user’s life and provides empowerment.”

Designed by
R.S.Hiremath - Bangalore, India

Website 
www.flexitron.diytrade.com/sdp/194986/4/main-699351.html