JCB

The 'Universal Generator’ embraces my aspiration to improve the quality of life for deprived and remote communities throughout the world by  genuinely sustainable means knowing that such communities develop ingenious and successful ways of survival by the imaginative use of what little is available to them.

This reliable and versatile device will enable them to release the full potential of their few resources to generate electricity to provide lighting and to power simple electrical devices such as radios. Scarce, valuable natural resources will no longer need to be destroyed to provide lighting and therefore remain available for other vital purposes. Furthermore, the present use of fuels within their homes to provide lighting and their associated dangers will be reduced.

The design is simple to use, easy to maintain and robust, to encourage its widespread use and maximize its potential. It is the most vulnerable members of these communities – the young, the elderly and the ill who will gain the most, but all will experience benefits to their everyday lives through adequate, reliable and sustainable lighting. Communities can continue to function after dark eg children can study, adults can work and people can meet and radios can provide knowledge from the outside world at all times. With growing confidence, it is the communities who will be empowered to fulfil their own particular needs.

The core structure of this device consists of an outer and inner drum. Either drum can be anchored, whilst a source of kinetic energy revolves the other within or around the stationary one, thus generating electricity. Potential applications are maximized by a simple mechanism within the inner drum which allows the axle to be easily replaced by others of differing dimensions, and unique features on the outer shell which enable flexible positioning of the generator.

Tom Dixon chose ‘Universal Generator’ as one of his top 5 designs in Noise Festival 2008.

"I think what’s interesting about it is that it’s tackling a very, very real problem which is energy generation, particularly micro-energy generation, in communities which might not have a lot of electricity. British engineering for sure is still potentially a place for Chris to go but there are very specialist manufacturers for these types of things all over the world."