British YouTuber Robert Murray-Smith has built a miniaturized wind turbine using 3D printing and magnetic bearings. As he explains in a video, the design is based on the principle of a ballpoint pen.
Instead of the mini ball, a 12 mm metal ball bearing is used, which rotates in a holder. Eight neodymium magnets in a 3D-printed housing lift the rotation unit and ensure almost frictionless running.
When the magnetic bearing is ventilated with a stream of air, it begins to rotate and induces enough current in a coil to light up an LED. According to Murray-Smith, this is proof of concept for the idea of generating electrical energy from air movements.
For home use, the YouTuber sees potential for placing the turbine at the air outlet of a printer, for example. Larger versions could be used as decentralized energy sources in windy locations. Robert Murray-Smith provides the 3D models for his turbine free of charge on Thingiverse.
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