Zimbabwe's President Praises Local Inventor's Energy Breakthrough.
President Mnangagwa lauded Maxwell Chikumbutso for creating wireless devices that run without conventional power sources. These include an unmanned aerial vehicle and television sets.
"I have this television in my home," Mnangagwa said. "It needs no wires but shows all channels, even outdoors. He demonstrated this at my residence."
Chikumbutso explained that his invention harnesses radio frequencies, which measure less than one volt. "We developed special components that convert radio waves into usable energy—a world first," he said.
The inventor shared a dark chapter from his time in the United States. He and a colleague faced poisoning after their unconventional energy concepts drew criticism. His colleague did not survive the incident.
American authorities challenged Chikumbutso's work, claiming it defied fundamental physics principles. "They wanted to arrest him for changing physics," President Mnangagwa noted. Patent officials rejected the application, stating it violated natural laws.
The inventor's latest creation, a vehicle, doubles as a portable power station. "This car generates 15 kilowatts - enough to power a house," Chikumbutso said. After the patent setback, he opted to protect his innovation as a trade secret.
President Mnangagwa lauded Maxwell Chikumbutso for creating wireless devices that run without conventional power sources. These include an unmanned aerial vehicle and television sets.
"I have this television in my home," Mnangagwa said. "It needs no wires but shows all channels, even outdoors. He demonstrated this at my residence."
Chikumbutso explained that his invention harnesses radio frequencies, which measure less than one volt. "We developed special components that convert radio waves into usable energy—a world first," he said.
The inventor shared a dark chapter from his time in the United States. He and a colleague faced poisoning after their unconventional energy concepts drew criticism. His colleague did not survive the incident.
American authorities challenged Chikumbutso's work, claiming it defied fundamental physics principles. "They wanted to arrest him for changing physics," President Mnangagwa noted. Patent officials rejected the application, stating it violated natural laws.
The inventor's latest creation, a vehicle, doubles as a portable power station. "This car generates 15 kilowatts - enough to power a house," Chikumbutso said. After the patent setback, he opted to protect his innovation as a trade secret.
