Microsoft uses 800 apples and potatoes to charge new Nokia Lumia 930

It may look like a science fair project, but last week in London passersby were able to witness a wall of apples and potatoes wirelessly charge a Nokia Lumia 930 cellphone.

Science enthusiast Caleb Charland and his creation. (Image via Microsoft)

We’re not talking about a few potatoes and a bushel of apples though—Microsoft and a company called Carphone Warehouse unveiled an enormous 20-foot-wide and 8-foot-high installation featuring 800 fruits and vegetables.
Microsoft and Carphone Warehouse teamed up with a science enthusiast Caleb Charland to create this art-charger.
 
The inspiration came from a school science project where an electrical current is generated using a potato. The same method was applied to create the Nokia Lumia charger. Charland applied this method to create the Lumia organic charger.

The large organic battery was displayed in Shepard's Bush, England last week. (Image via Microsoft)

Last year Microsoft conducted an experiment using a lightning bolt as a charger so they decided to take it a step further this year.

“Following the success of our lightning experiment that took place in 2013, we were keen to explore another way that we could harness natural energy and charge the brand new Lumia 930 device,” said Thomas Messett, Head of Digital Marketing and Advocacy for Europe Microsoft Devices. 

Take a look at how the wall was constructed and the engineering behind it in the video below.

Story and video via Microsoft.