This Computer Boots When You Light a Flame, Using a Stirling Engine to Power Games
He Built a Computer That Runs on Fire Using a Stirling Engine and ESP32 C3 to Run Games and Custom Programs
PickentCode built a computer powered entirely by a small Stirling engine heated by an alcohol lamp. Instead of a wall outlet or battery, the flame keeps a generator turning to power an ESP32-C3 and a small OLED display.
A 16-key keypad lets the machine run CHIP-8 games and custom programs. To stay within the tiny power budget, wireless features are disabled and the processor speed is reduced when full performance is not needed.
Turning on this computer starts with lighting a flame rather than pressing a power button. If you want to keep playing, keeping the fire alive becomes part of using the machine.