The Soccer Ball That Powers Homes

One of Popular Mechanics‘ Breakthroughs of 2010, the sOccket is a soccer ball with an internal generator that Harvard students, Jessica Lin, Jessica Matthews, Julia Silverman and Hemali Thakkar, designed to serve electricity-deprived communities using the world’s most popular sport.

The ball’s mechanism is similar to those found in shake-to-charge flashlights. Through being kicked, tossed and rolled, an internal magnet is forced back and forth in an inductive coil, which then generates an electrical current. An internal capacitator stores the energy for later use. These devices add six ounces to the average 15-oz. ball.

[thanks to Becah for the link]