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Charging a Phone Using Water

CSEF · 2026 Alternative Energy (Junior Division)

Veronica Carpin, Sylvia Boger

Overview

Can we use energy harvesting to provide charge to a cell phone? Our project’s objective is to demonstrate that we can utilize energy that is typically wasted to accomplish everyday activities. To do this, we use the Seebeck effect to generate voltage from water at different temperatures. Six prototypes were created and tested to reach this objective, along with a device using Arduino and voltage and temperature sensors to measure and collect data. Our last design, “The Horizontal Method”, proves that it is possible to charge a cell phone with continuity, exploiting water temperature differentials. This design is characterized by placing TEG Peltier plates in series over heatsinks in iced water and placing an aluminum sheet pan with near-boiling water over the Peltier plates. This design and experiment provides valuable insights on how this method could be scaled up to be more efficient and usable.

Competition history

  • CSEF 2026 Alternative Energy (Junior Division) · Entry J-01-12

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