Gone are the days when heading off the grid on a camping or hiking adventure means you’ll have to unplug. A lightweight thermoelectric generator by Warpfive Stove Fans uses heat as an alternative power source to charge electronics like phones, iPads, wearables and navigation systems after the batteries go flat. The generator system includes two components—one for charging and another for power supply. Heat can come from any heat source like a camping gas stove, an open fire or even the sun, and is then converted into electricity. The generator, which weighs about 1 pound, produces 10W of usable electricity that’s stored in the USB port. Using lithium iron cells, the device can charge a smartphone battery up to three times before needing to convert more heat into electricity. The gadget also provides an optional battery charger for AA rechargeable batteries, which is helpful for powering up non-USB gadgets like some portable radios. The heat-powered generator has attracted more than $1,600 in funding in its Kickstarter campaign, with nearly a month to go to reach its goal of roughly $46,000. The company hopes to begin shipping units by July 2016. If this product sees the light of day, outdoor enthusiasts could navigate the beaten path with more efficiency, knowing their electronics could be easily powered by heat from almost any source. via Kickstarter