Recycled wind turbine charges battery

A wind turbine built from waste has earned a University of Portsmouth student a first class honours degree.

Max Robson, 22, built his prototype for less than £20 with waste material he collected from skips and bins, including parts from a bicycle, a scooter and a Ford Fiesta.

The turbine which is built from 100 per cent recycled goods could cause a wind-power revolution, particularly in the developing world, because Mr Robson says it could be put together by unskilled workers in less than a day.

The 11.3W turbine, is 1.8m at its widest, and harnesses wind power to charge a battery, which, when full, could power a radio for 30 hours.

Mr Robson said: "This isn't going to change lives in the developing world dramatically, but a device like this could make their lives a lot easier.

"It cost me £20 to build the prototype and in the developing world it would be a lot less. The nearest alternative wind turbine on the market costs £2,000."

Other devices aimed at bringing power to the developing world include solar powered lamps with low-energy light-emitting diodes, such as those produced by D.light and LEDTECK UK.