A Clock That Eats Flies

Computers & Mobile Craft & Design Science Technology
A Clock That Eats Flies

YouTube player

This prototype clock from UK designers James Auger and Jimmy Loizeau is powered by a microbial fuel cell. It features a conveyor belt of flypaper that attracts flies and drops their bodies into the fuel cell. Depending on the available fly supply, the process can generate enough power to sustain itself and power a digital clock, as well. [via Boing Boing]

More:

20 thoughts on “A Clock That Eats Flies

  1. Addidis says:

    Some things immediately bring to mind that picture of two hands drawing each other. Self powered bug zapper plus a clock for the win :)

  2. Andrew Sayler says:

    Maybe this is a bad feature to include on robots with advanced AI….did anyone see The Matrix?

  3. Alan says:

    That must have been a tough project to debug.

    1. Sean Michael Ragan says:

      Magnificent.

  4. Dimitri Ponirakis says:

    I want a fly fuel cell for my iphone!

    1. Daniel Kim says:

      It’s more likely that your iPhone would power itself by piercing your skin and drinking your blood while you hold it.

  5. Robert Ely says:

    The Matrix: Now a cautionary tale.

  6. Jill Hogan says:

    Now how about this for renewable energy, Thanks Duncan

  7. Anonymous says:

    Would be perfect if they find a way to attract mosquitoes as well.

  8. Robert Alvarez says:

    Awesome!

Comments are closed.

Discuss this article with the rest of the community on our Discord server!
Tagged

I am descended from 5,000 generations of tool-using primates. Also, I went to college and stuff. I am a long-time contributor to MAKE magazine and makezine.com. My work has also appeared in ReadyMade, c't – Magazin für Computertechnik, and The Wall Street Journal.

View more articles by Sean Michael Ragan

ADVERTISEMENT

Maker Faire Bay Area 2023 - Mare Island, CA

Escape to an island of imagination + innovation as Maker Faire Bay Area returns for its 15th iteration!

Buy Tickets today! SAVE 15% and lock-in your preferred date(s).

FEEDBACK