When a disastrous earthquake hit Japan last year, one of the biggest problems citizens experienced was a shortage of electrical power. Electric grids were knocked offline and batteries, used continuously during their ordeal, quickly ran in short supply. The Japanese subsequently sought a way to generate power using renewable resources. The result? An electric LED flashlight and USB charger that runs on sea water. The flashlight contains a bag that holds salt water. The salt water acts as the electrolyte with carbon and magnesium rods completing the process. The only two replaceable parts in the rig are the salt water solution and the magnesium rods. The salt water provides enough power for 8 hours after which a new solution (350 milliliters of water plus 16 grams of salt) is poured into the bag. The magnesium rods must be replaced after 120 hours giving the device enough oomph to run continuously for three solid weeks.
The flashlight provides 55 lumens of light and includes a USB charger for charging mobile devices and emergency equipment. It will be released in Japan later this year.
