Kinetic battery

The Fire-and-Iron Kinetic Generator System (FIKGS) turns heat or motion into electricity without needing fuel or a power grid. It uses a heated metal rod to push a spring and gears, which spin a generator. The electricity is stored in batteries or used to power lights and devices. Its efficient, portable, and perfect for off-grid, survival, or remote use.

Abstract

The Fire-and-Iron Kinetic Generator System (FIKGS), developed by Travis R.-C. Stone in July 2025, presents a novel decentralized energy solution that converts thermal expansion into regulated electrical output. The system operates by capturing heat from sources such as fire, stoves, or industrial waste and translating it into mechanical force through the linear expansion of a steel rod. This force is then transferred to a mechanical assembly composed of a spring, lever, and compound gear system, which stores and amplifies the motion to drive a brushless DC (BLDC) motor acting as a generator.

Across five interlinked technical papers, FIKGS is demonstrated as a modular, low-maintenance platform capable of delivering off-grid energy with an overall system efficiency ranging from 25% to 60%. The design emphasizes the use of solid-state materials and commercially available components including a KBPC5010 rectifier, Arduino Nano for voltage/current sensing and control, and a 12V - 24V BLDC generator providing scalable power outputs from 5W to 50W per thermal cycle.

Mechanically, the system achieves thermal-to-mechanical conversion via a steel rod (150 mm — 10 mm) expanding up to ~0.54 mm under a 300°C differential, producing up to 100 N of force. This energy is stored in a 300 N/m compression spring and released through a geared cam assembly, reaching generator-compatible RPMs (1000 - 3000 RPM). The output is managed via MPPT-enabled regulation and delivered through USB, 12V DC, or AC inverter outputs.

FIKGS is purpose-built for decentralized deployment, with use cases spanning emergency field power, campfire-based charging, industrial heat reclamation, and microgrid integration. The system has been further distilled into step-by-step reconstruction and materials guides, making it accessible for educational, humanitarian, and rural electrification initiatives. This work advances the field of passive renewable energy systems by merging classical thermodynamics with modern microcontroller-based control logic.