Researchers create ‘micro-windmills’ to power devices

Smitha Rao and J.-C. Chiao, researches at the University of Texas Arlington, have created ‘micro-windmills’ that will be able to charge phones, tablets and other mobile devices.  At its widest point, the windmill is about 1.8 mm, so small that a single grain of rice could hold 10 windmills.  These tiny windmills attached to a phone or case would charge the device’s battery simply by holding your device in the wind.  ”The micro windmills were tested successfully in September 2013 in Chiao’s lab. The windmills operate under strong artificial winds without any fracture in the material because of the durable nickel alloy and smart aerodynamic design.”  Because of their small size, these windmills could be attached to homes or businesses to power various lighting and security features with clean renewable energy, without the need for a giant wind turbine that are generally very expensive.