Intel Awards Universities for Green Notebook Power Designs

Intel challenged European universities to design a device capable of powering laptops using renewable and sustainable energy sources. Today Intel announced that the Spanish team from Polytechnic of Madrid, won the contest with a pedal powered machine.

The cycling action produces energy which is turned into the electricity necessary to power the laptop by a power electronics converter. The solution was chosen as it demonstrates the team’s systematic approach to deal with all aspects of the challenge – from its ease of implementation to the innovative quality of its electronic components – with special features to allow for a realistic usage model. The Spanish device is particularly user-friendly as it enables the user to adopt a flexible, customizable rhythm including any required breaks. Original features include the power electronic converter specifically designed to minimize charging time and keep energy flow at a constant level.

The Polytechnic of Milan (Italy) and Delft’s University of Technology (Netherlands) were runners up. The Italian team devised an ingenious way to utilize hydrogen fuel cell to power a laptop. Delft University’s design is also innovative and consists mainly of a rocking-motion pedal mechanism. An integrated design approach, drawing knowledge from a range of disciplines, was used to optimize the design.

The winning team gets €10,000 in funding to support scientific research.