Researchers harness the power of lightning to charge a mobile phone

In tests undertaken at Southampton's high voltage laboratory, the collaborators were able to use an energy simulation similar to that of a bolt of lightning to fully charge a Nokia Lumia 925. Project leader Neil Palmer commented: "Using an alternating current driven by a transformer, over 200,000V was sent across a 300mm gap – giving heat and light similar to that of a lightning bolt. The signal was then stepped into a second controlling transformer, allowing us to charge the phone. "We were amazed to see that the Nokia circuitry somehow stabilised the noisy signal, allowing the battery to be charged. This discovery proves devices can be charged with a current that passes through the air, and is a huge step towards understanding a natural power like lightning and harnessing its energy."