If you love the beauty of bonsai trees, here's one that combines its aesthetic qualities with practical use. French designer Vivien Muller has recently unveiled the Electree Mini, a bonsai-shaped charging lantern that stores energy in small batteries that can then be used to directly power your gadgets. It cleverly mimics the process of photosynthesis by capturing light through flexible mini solar panels held by branches that you can manipulate in different directions.
In addition to charging AA and AAA batteries, the Electree Mini has other add-on features that you can clip into it. A USB port will power your smartphone, while LED lights will automatically illuminate the tree at dusk. To change colors, simply rotate it.
Muller has launched an Indiegogo page to fund the manufacturing of his invention. By supporting his efforts, you can purchase an Electree Mini of your very own. This isn't the first iteration of this sculptural product; it's actually a smaller, more affordable version of his original design, the Electree. He used crowd-funding with that project, too, and made production possible through a Kickstarter campaign.
Electree Mini Indiegogo page and Vivien Muller website
via [Inhabitat]
