Nothing ’s worse than a dead battery — except maybe if you run out of succus while on patrol in the backwoods of Afghanistan . But until now , US forces have had to block around a Brobdingnagian and heavy charger . Not anymore . United States Army research has just shrivel a mobile charging post lowly enough for any soldier to carry on designation .
“ There is an increase pauperism with the networked Soldier for portable powerfulness , ” say Dave Schimmel , aPM SWARlead engineer . “ There is a broaden col between the need for office and the actual availability of that power when the Soldier is in the Tier-1 environment [ the most austere environment , such as the remote areas of Afghanistan ] so portable power is an downright demand . ”
The sometime charger was state - of - the art when the U.S. Army Research , Development and Engineering Command ’s communication - electronics centre ( CERDEC ) created it in the 1990s , but was just about the sizing of a impart - on travelling bag and weighed so much it had to be mounted on a truck . But technological advances over the preceding two decades have conduct CERDEC and its industriousness partners to develop the Universal Battery Charger . “ We ’re convey that 1990s engineering and wither it , bringing it into the 21st century , ” ERDEC CP&I engineer Marc Gietter said . “ It will keep up with today ’s applied science . ”
This 6 - pound , shoebox - sized charging station “ can file eight barrage and two USB devices at once , ” Gietter continued . “ The USB component part is becoming increasingly of import as the Soldier actuate toward being more connected via a smartphone . It also can point a morale - advance machine like an iPod . ” What ’s more , the UBC will be able to bring forth a current from about any power reference — be it a author , fuel cell , solar array , even a motortruck ’s cigarette lighter socket — and simultaneously charge a variety of battery type .
The UBC is also tough enough to survive harsh battlefield conditions and is impervious to extreme temperatures , rain , sand , and wind . The whole can even be submerged , during say a river fording , and continue do work .
“ The charger will run after being completely submerged in water system , ” Schimmel said . “ We do n’t require them to be deport a six - pound brick after one of those crossway . ”
There ’s no word yet on exactly when the new gimmick will make it into the hand of front bank line scout group . [ US ArmyviaPopSci ]
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