Inventors from Zimbabwe: The television that generates energy

The inventor Chikumbutso has developed a television that generates energy instead of consuming it. The invention could catch on, but little attention is paid to innovations from southern Africa.

A normal flat screen TV is on the table. A normal one? Well, not quite: The power cable is missing. Maxwell Chikumbutso turned the device off and explained: “Now it’s a microsonic device that generates energy. Even if the TV is off, other things can be powered through it. Everything else is on, but the TV is off. Inside it is a kind of generator that you can connect other electronic devices to.”

Radio waves power TV

The television – or generator – is operated exclusively with radio waves, says Chikumbotso. He spent a long time tinkering, combining materials that are available locally in Zimbabwe and having researchers from the USA test everything. They would have confirmed that it actually works.

If verified by further testing, the invention from Zimbabwe would be sensational. “In a way, the TV uses free, renewable and green energy. No emissions, no consumption, no raw materials. It uses the radio waves and converts them,” says Chikumbutso.

Free energy and wireless devices with their own power supply – that sounds good not only for Africa. Street lighting that is no longer powered by solar power but by radio waves – another invention of Chikumbutso. They already shine in Mexico and North America.

His ideas could be a big hit. And yet, in large parts of Europe, he is not even listened to, criticizes Chikumbutso.

Solving problems – on a plant basis

Engineer Clive Nyapokoto has also had this experience. He works at Shift Organic Technologies, a company that makes organic fertilizers and pesticides. “As an African innovator, you’re underestimated or looked down on. You think nothing new will ever come out of Africa, but there are inventors here too,” says Nyapokoto.

“The area in which I work is also innovative. We can solve a lot of problems on a purely plant-based basis. But it’s always said: ‘Oh, that’s just traditional’ – that can’t be used industrially.”

African inventors have two major problems: they lack capital and have few opportunities to exhibit their products at trade fairs. “Nevertheless, the whole process, the experiences, that drives us, that’s important to us,” says Nyapokoto.

Interesting for rural population

He keeps going and Chikumbutso doesn’t give up either. He wants to make his cordless television, which does not consume energy but even generates it, accessible to the rural population. There is no additional radiation: radio waves, which are there anyway, are used, but nothing more.

Scientists from Europe have not yet verified his invention. However, Maxwell believes that it would also be attractive to the western world, for example to Germany.