The other day I got the best compliment ever.

My sister, Ian and I had been walking the dark Sagada streets to get to the local bar and I had been using the flash light functionality of my latest prototype EcoCharger. I set it on the table as we ordered our beers, the light still on. One of the waiters came over, picked it up and started asking all sorts of questions. It then got tossed around the bar (its sturdy and throws nicely!). Finally, it found its way into the hands of a high and slightly drunk American backpacker. He held it in his hands staring incredulously– as if it were some sort of luminescent, solar powered, USB energy bank, crafted from coke bottles.

“What sorcery is this?!” Haha… Yeah baby!

He held it in his hands staring incredulously– as if it were some sort of luminescent, solar powered, energy bank, crafted from coke bottles.

“What sorcery is this?!” Yeah baby!

With this latest prototype revision, the charger circuit and Lipo can keep one or both lights charged for hours (we used recycled flash light LEDs and coke bottle tops for diffraction).  The 3000 mAh LiPo battery can boost my big Samsung tablet by 10-20%.  When placed in the sun  the 5V solar panels (custom manufactured in Hong Kong to fit inside a Filipino Coke bottle) can keep a smaller phone charged indefinitely.   Best of all the coke bottle casing is sturdy and fits snuggly in one’s hand as a flashlight or it can sit conveniently on the bedside while you read a book.   The charger can be tossed, rolled down the road or dropped and it still keeps going.  Eventually I hope the coke casing can be so simply assembled that the end user can replace it when they wish (but @#$@!!@ simplification has taken 6 months of casing R&D thus far).  Its 90% waterproof now, I am working on nailing the last 10%.

So basically, it ain’t sorcery, just lots of hard work and collaboration with my cellphone repairman friends!

My vision is this: To design a personal power device that can be manufactured in the villages of Mt/ Province from available organic, trash and ewaste resources to allow one to take personal responsibility for one’s electrical needs.   

Shortly, I hope to be working with Xijen college in Bontoc to expand the collaboration and creativity.  My apologies to the Xien students who have been patiently waiting for the continuation.  I haven’t forgotten!