AIRE, Conceptual Mask, Would Charge iPhone With Your Breath (IMAGES)

Imagine never again having to plug your phone into a wall outlet to charge it.

That's the world that João Paulo Lammoglia, a Rio de Janeiro-based industrial designer, imagines.

Lammoglia designed a mask, appropriately called AIRE, that uses small wind turbines to convert an individual's breath into electrical energy, making it so that any act of breathing -- even while sleeping or running -- would theoretically charge your gadget.

SCROLL DOWN FOR IMAGES

Don't hold your breath for this just yet, though: Lammoglia said that for now, it's just a concept. "At this moment, we don't have the technology for it," he told The Huffington Post.

But selling the product isn't the point of the design, he said. "I believe the concept is the most important because it gives another perspective about how to look at energy," he said, adding that he hopes it inspires people to think "outside the box" about energy solutions. "I've always been concerned about environmental problems, so that's why I develop these concepts."

Other concepts the 27-year-old has thought up include a self-powered UV water filter, a product that uses kinetic energy produced by walking to charge small devices, and a doormat that transfers energy from sweeping feet to power a doorbell.

Lammoglia said that the inspiration for AIRE -- which won a Red Dot Design Award for Design Concept in 2011 -- came from seeing children blowing on pinwheels.

LOOK: AIRE concept mask:

(H/T Fast Company's Co.Design)

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Comments

[Scott Stevenson]

11:01 PM on 03/29/2012

I think this is a really cool idea, and I like the look. It's pretty scifi looking. It'd be cooler if it was black maybe.

[dngrwill]

04:22 PM on 03/29/2012

this is news? this is a 'good idea'?

Even the industrial design on this s_cks - and it's getting publicity.

[rudy in la]

01:05 PM on 03/29/2012

Thank heavens people are working to solve big important issues like this!

[jack Winn]

11:06 AM on 03/29/2012

Who wouldn't want to look like understudy for an Imperial storm trooper role?

And think of the side benefits - you'd never have to listen to your wife as long as she was charging the family iphones.

[ZenGardner]

09:38 AM on 03/29/2012

Why not just wear a large solar panel on your head?

[jack Winn]

11:01 AM on 03/29/2012

Or make a little fanny pack combustion chamber to capture flatulence? With an app to monitor output? You could sell one to half the 13 year olds on the planet, and it could become a special olympics event.

[Scott Stevenson]

11:02 PM on 03/29/2012

Actually you can get small solar panels you can attach to your backpack and it'll charge your phone, laptop, iPad.

[dwhuston]

09:35 AM on 03/29/2012

Thing is awfully big. An implant right at the base of your throat would work better and certainly would not be so cumbersome.

[JonOD8]

03:48 PM on 03/29/2012

and kill you

[dwhuston]

05:46 PM on 03/29/2012

Well there are downsides for everything :)

[Weathermaker]

10:25 PM on 03/28/2012

Dear iGadget,

I camped in front of the Apple store to be with you as soon as possible. I gave you my hard earned money. I ignored the fact you were manufactured with child labor in countries with poor working conditions. Loved ones left me because we spend too much time together. Now, you want my last breath. But you know what? That's it, I'm done!!!! Oh wait... who am I kidding... of course I'll give you my last breath. I have nothing else to live for anyway...

Yours,
the iSlave

[bilbobagels]

08:19 PM on 03/28/2012

Why not Kinetic phones? just like Watches...

[rickcraft55]

04:27 PM on 03/28/2012

the concept of thinking outside the box has always had critics. while this concept may seem a bit foolish to most people to others it may stimulate idea's.
some idea's that were ridiculed include flight, space travel, the earth is round, automobiles, credit cards to name a few
people like Sir Issac Newton, Galileo and the Wright Brothers were at their best thinking outside the box
Dare to be different, Dare to think outside the box

[jack Winn]

11:01 AM on 03/29/2012

This will definitely lead to space travel. At least the space between your ears.

[rickcraft55]

11:14 AM on 03/29/2012

yes you are a funny guy. I suggested nothing of the sort only that people that think outside the box have done wondrous things.

[imtruthmonger]

03:56 PM on 03/28/2012

Don't look for this to appear on any runway at the next Paris fashion show.

[imtruthmonger]

03:54 PM on 03/28/2012

So, when the insurance industry thinks your health care expenses are getting too expensive to keep you alive, they'll hire Murdoch and Co. Inc. to hack your cell phone when you wear this thing and cut off your air supply.

ANything to keep costs down! Bye Bye!

[Quai DOrsay]

03:52 PM on 03/28/2012

It should come with a matching hat

[imtruthmonger]

03:55 PM on 03/28/2012

Or hoodie?

[Quai DOrsay]

04:32 PM on 03/28/2012

Nice , that ll help me my ipad

[jack Winn]

11:11 AM on 03/29/2012

and jet propelled skate shoes with a spring option.

[Quai DOrsay]

03:47 PM on 03/28/2012

I do fart a lot ... If he can make one to hook on my asss Id be forever grateful ... I don't wanna wear a mask just to charge my phone, dammmit

[jack Winn]

11:03 AM on 03/29/2012

And we could attach a spark plug, and with a skateboard, you'd never pay bus fare again!

[Adam Dray]

03:32 PM on 03/28/2012

Actually looks like sub zeroes mask from the newer Mortal Kombat games LOL...too bad it doesn't come in blue

[Quai DOrsay]

03:38 PM on 03/28/2012

That s what I thought, i ll buy it just to do fatalities ... I don't own an iphone/ipod yet

[garrarest1]

03:29 PM on 03/28/2012

I think technology has gotten to the point where people invent things just because they can. I get alot of gass. I was wondering...