SEEING HANNAH HAYES' ground-breaking method of recharging batteries has me thinking about buying a tumble dryer. Hannah's a 16-year-old student from Midleton College in Cork. Her unique method uses a rotating ball placed inside a tumble dryer. The system works by harnessing the kinetic energy of a household appliance. According to the thesis I read at the 2010 Young Scientist Exhibition, her research involved both electrical and mechanical experimentation in the process of building her prototype. Along with fellow researcher Beth Wardle, she visited Shanghai with their "Kiwi 3" project and won one of the 13 major prizes during the 2010 Shanghai International New Science and Technology Expo. Well done!
Direct link to YouTube video on "Tumble Charger at the BT Young Scientist 2010".