The technology behind the bio-lite stove and similiar devices like
this has been around for some time but in the last five years manufacturing advances have significantly brought down the price of
Peltier Modules. FYI they also come in wide range of output voltages so you're not limited to charging USB kit but 12v is posibble as well and like batteries can be stacked in series or parrallel configurations to provide the desired voltage or current required.
IMPORTANT: when connecting a peltier device to sensative electronics such as cell-phone or other USB charged device you will need to wire in a five volt, one amp fixed voltage regulator, these only cost £2 or so and will stop any expensive kit going bang.
Peltier bare bones demo...
[video=youtube_share;SvBeCCjb9ds]http://youtu.be/SvBeCCjb9ds[/video]
Other devices that may be of interest are Stirling engines and the less well known about Nitinol wire that can use heat to turn a dynamo.