Interview about MS 2.0 Wireless Charging Powerbank, winner of the A' Digital and Electronic Device Design Award 2024
The MS2.0 power bank is a groundbreaking product that offers simultaneous input and output. MagSafer charges wirelessly, allowing users to charge their phones and power bank wirelessly simultaneously. It's powerful magnets and sleek design make it a must-have for anyone looking for a convenient and efficient charging solution.
View detailed images, specifications, and award details on A' Design Award & Competition website.
View Design DetailsInitially, I never intended to design the world's first simultaneous wireless charging power bank. The idea for MS 2.0 came from my MS 1.0 magnetic adapter, a double-sided magnetic accessory. I attached one MS 1.0 negative pole to the wall and the positive pole to the phone, allowing the phone to magnetically attach to the wall, which was very convenient. However, the issue arose when the phone ran out of battery, as it couldn't charge and stay magnetically attached at the same time. I thought of applying this function to a power bank. While there are some MagSafe power banks, they lack magnetic strength on the back, so I added an extra MagSafe magnet. I then thought, why not also add MagSafe magnetic input? Thus, the development of MS 2.0 began. The entire process was very intuitive and straightforward, not deliberate. It's amazing how this led to the creation of the world's first simultaneous wireless charging power bank.
The production of MS 2.0 occurred during the 2021 pandemic when many factories were closed, and the pandemic and wars caused raw material prices to rise, posing numerous challenges. This being a pioneering technology, there were no reference circuit boards available, so I communicated and collaborated with engineers daily. We faced many failures, such as unresponsive charging batteries or unsynchronized input and output. We tried many methods and revised the circuit boards multiple times. In the end, we successfully developed MS 2.0.
Producing a new product during COVID-19 was incredibly challenging. I was in Hong Kong, while the factory was in Mainland China, and travel restrictions made it impossible to visit. We had to communicate production and development progress via phone and video calls. Additionally, MS 2.0 was being crowdfunded on Indiegogo, and we had to meet the deadline to ship to backers, making the timeline very tight. Although we had to delay the crowdfunding shipment, we were grateful for the understanding from our backers. Despite the lower efficiency of remote communication, we ultimately succeeded in developing MS 2.0.
MS 2.0 is not the first electronic product to use a metal aluminium casing. Apple has long used aluminium alloy for MacBook casings. As an Apple fan and MacBook user, I found the metal casing greatly improved heat dissipation, enhancing the MacBook's performance. This inspired me to use aluminium alloy for my power bank. The aluminium casing quickly dissipates internal battery heat, reducing resistance and improving charging efficiency. Although metal casings can feel hotter than plastic ones, plastic casings trap heat, keeping batteries at a high temperature, which is more dangerous. By dissipating heat, MS 2.0 extends battery life and ensures safety and durability.
MS 2.0 has 36 magnets on each side, equivalent to two MagSafe magnetic rings per side. Regular MagSafe power banks have only one ring, but we found that some users' phone cases had weak MagSafe magnets. To compensate, we added double the magnetic strength, providing a better user experience with secure phone attachment and improved charging stability.
I'm a Bauhaus enthusiast, and all my designs follow its principles. I believe the "less is more" philosophy is the most eco-friendly and sustainable. The MS 2.0 design follows the layout of the circuit board, battery, coils, and magnets, shaped according to their dimensions. For example, the battery's oval shape dictated the oval design of MS 2.0, saving unnecessary parts and space, reducing material costs, and creating a timeless design that can last for decades without becoming outdated.
That's a great question, and it touches on a key factor of MS 2.0's fast charging speed. Typically, 5000mAh power banks use 0.5C or 1C batteries, which charge slower. Like a water pipe, a 1C battery is like a 1-meter wide pipe, while a 1.5C battery is 1.5 meters wide, allowing faster output. The faster output generates heat, so we use aluminium alloy for MS 2.0's casing to enhance heat dissipation, ensuring safe operation and faster charging than standard power banks.
Winning the A Design Award is a significant affirmation of my creativity and development journey. I'm not exclusively a power bank designer; my designs span various categories, including lamps, drones, eco-friendly straws, foldable pens, speakers, and membership systems. The A Design Award encourages me, to recognise my contributions to the world. I aim to make life easier and improve others' lives. My products are packaged by St. James' Settlement sheltered workshops, where I design tools to help disabled individuals package products efficiently. Design encompasses more than profitable products; it's also about creating tools that make life easier and more convenient. I'm grateful for the A Design Award for the opportunity to share my designs with more people.
I confidently claim that MS 2.0 is one of the best wireless charging power banks on the market. Designed in 2021, its design remains relevant in 2024, with no other power bank offering simultaneous wireless charging. This demonstrates the complexity of the design and functionality. Currently, I'm focusing on other product areas, such as the 10,000mAh SUPERBANK with a unique stand design, which recently won the Muse Design Award. I won't stop innovating, continually designing new and innovative features, beyond electronic circuits.
THINKTHING STUDIO's core philosophy is to make a better world. MS 2.0's standout feature is its simultaneous wireless charging input and output, something users hadn't considered before. Traditionally, users charged power banks and phones separately, requiring an extra step. MS 2.0 allows both to charge on a 15W wireless charger with a single step, simplifying the charging process and enhancing the user experience. Imagine coming home after a long day and placing both your phone and MS 2.0 on a wireless charger, with strong MagSafe alignment ensuring no charging or alignment issues. This ease of use aligns with our mission to improve lives and enhance product experiences, making a better world.
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