In a previous article I discussed energy harvesting, the concept of generating small amounts of electricity using ambient energy such as radio waves, movement, and light. Today I'll explore an energy harvesting product that converts heat into electricity.

Camping gives us a chance to get away from it all, but some hard-core "gadgeteers" (you know who you are) can't leave their electronics at home. For them, there's the Power Pot, a cooking pan that uses the Seebeck thermoelectric effect to convert heat into electricity. 

If charging your iPhone on a camping trip seems frivolous, the Power Pot can serve as an emergency power source and can also provide power in developing countries.  

The Power Pot is capable of generating up to 5W of power. In addition to the Power Pot itself, the company sells a variety of accessories such as an LED flashlight, a portable propane stove with a piezoelectric ignition, and a lithium battery with a multitude of adapters. If you're so inclined, you can even make a donation towards a Power Pot for people in developing countries.

Who else has a hot idea for harvesting thermal energy?