Desk Clock Runs on Lemon Power

This little desk clock, created by French design firm Anna Gram, runs on the power of a cut lemon for a week. The acidity of the lemon juice connecting with a plug of zinc and copper creates electrolysis, powering the clock. It’s a cute novelty, and while Treehugger questions ‘the merit of the design’, I think they missed the point (no offense, Treehugger, ya know we love you).

From Treehugger:

Running a clock on a lemon a week seems pretty neat. But what is the point when we have clocks on our computers, our cell phones, and pretty much everywhere else we turn? These are gadgets we’re already charging anyway, so to waste a lemon on a novelty clock seems a little silly.

From Anna Gram:

Technically, it’s almost the same principle than Mr Volta used to invented the battery in 1799: an electrolysis of zinc and coper (the plug under the lemon) in a salted or acid liquid (the lemon). The oxidation phenomenon create the electricity.

If you were lucky enough, this chemical experience use to be teach in primary school (in france at least).

We call that a pedagogic project because the aim is obviously not to replace our actual clocks, but at least to help people think (or remember) about nature and energy.

It’s a reminder of the vast untapped potential for energy that exists on this planet. Anna Gram isn’t suggesting that we begin using lemons to power gadgets in our homes, but it goes to show that we need to think outside the box to solve our energy problems. If a lemon can power a desk clock, what other renewable natural resources could we be using to create power on a larger scale? Like most art, the lemon-powered desk clock is meant to inspire thought.

Link [Treehugger] + [Anna Gram]

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