In this project I decided to explore the concept of 'energy harvesting' to create an inexpensive wind-powered bicycle-mounted phone charger for people in remote rural areas that could operate at the low wind speeds generated by cycling at a leisurely pace. Early in the design process, and after plenty of experimentation, I understood this couldn't be achieved by a conventional approach. So instead, I applied a completely different geometry found in nature–the Archimedean spiral. This was a breakthrough in the project as it allowed the device to be lightweight, compact, efficient, and operate at low cycling speeds. Many prototypes later, I finally had a more efficient device, a worthy rival to the dynamo. I was ecstatic when it won me the national MTA Technology Design Innovation competition.
I would like to further develop the project at university to refine the device and hopefully in the future work with NGOs like "World Bicycle Relief."