Battery technology has always been in pursuit of the overwhelming advancements of portable devices, thus makeshift devices and patch-up solutions to this shortcoming is always coming out of the woodwork.

                                             Cosplay? Fashion statement? Or portable power?

Before, we had the hand-crank charger for specific devices, then the solar charger mounted on hats, on a t-shirt, or on a separate device. There’s also the more esoteric solution of magnet-based power production, usually used for flashlights. But then all these methods required at least an additional action on the user’s part – cranking away is obviously an extra step, and solar charging devices necessitated a clear, sunny day, and hunting for a patch of sunlight near your vicinity.

So, this probably got some clever fellow thinking: what is it that we do unconsciously, all the time, and can be used to power portable devices without us giving the device a second thought? Well, what else comes more naturally than breathing? This is exactly what this cobbled-together-device intends to take advantage of – the expansion and contraction of the chest while a person breathes.

                                             This modification requires "leet" skills.

This chest movement will power the device that’s strapped around the person’s midriff or thorax while connected to any USB-powered portable device that you may have. Neat, no? Except for the unsightly cogs and rubber bands and straps of course. The solution to that is to wear the appropriate t-shirt, or perhaps cover the whole thing up with a jacket.

The device can be built from spare items sure to be found in the average tech-crazy guy’s desk, and better yet, this is the best proclamation of your geek-cred to the whole world. It can also make use of the tummy you’ve been nurturing while you stared at your computer screen – better than strapping the device onto your chest. (That is, if you have a good-sized tummy. If not, tough luck – or not, depending on your view).

                                             Wow, it actually works!

So don’t be caught unprepared, make use of your old stuff, declare your geek-cred, and put your lung capacity to better use – build your own breath-powered USB charger! Any takers?(If any one of you actually goes ahead and makes one of these, do take pictures to show the rest of the readers your creation! Mail to eugenesiytiu@gmail.com.)

Thanks to Engadget and Instructables! For more information, please visit here.