Wearable Solar Battery Charger

How would you like a jacket that would charge your MP3 player or PDA?  Konarka and Textron think you would.  The two have formed a joint development program to create prototype garments and fashion accessories with portable, wearable power-generation capabilities. The technology will utilize Konarka's light-activated Power Plastic(TM) and Textronics' electronic textile systems to provide renewable, wearable energy sources for personal electronic devices.  By combining the two technologies they hope to develop garments that will overcome the shortcomings of conventional power technologies by enabling consumers to have energy generation ability with them at all times.

The resulting systems will be flexible and integrated in a way that will retain many of the qualities of conventional textiles, providing an overall consumer experience that is more like wearing a jacket or carrying a messenger bag than charging a device. Konarka's added abilities to provide colored and patterned Power Plastic technology will allow for innovative aesthetic solutions.

"This joint effort will show designer-label manufacturers how we can bring new benefits to consumers through their everyday clothing and fashion accessories, including increased levels of convenience, freedom of use and performance while minimally affecting the garment's overall weight, size or appearance," said Daniel Patrick McGahn, Konarka's executive vice president and chief marketing officer.

Konarka builds products that convert light to energy – anywhere. Konarka is the leading developer of polymer photovoltaic products that provide a source of renewable power in a variety of form factors for commercial, industrial, government and consumer applications. Konarka’s photovoltaic nanotechnology is focused on delivering lightweight, flexible, scalable and manufacturable products. Unlike other photovoltaic technologies that incorporate glass, Konarka's technology is polymer-based, making it lightweight and portable. The company's PV module technology converts both sun and indoor light into direct current (DC) electrical energy and can be incorporated into a wide range of applications for an economical, versatile power source.

Textronics is a developer and producer of electro-textiles or “e-textiles,” which are fabric systems that can conduct, warm, illuminate or sense. The company’s unique technology portfolio uses the stretch and recovery properties of elastomeric materials to interact with electronic systems.  Electro-textiles are used in the apparel, automotive, industrial, home interior, healthcare, and communications business sectors to deliver enhanced safety, comfort, heath, communications, entertainment and aesthetic solutions.

See this article from Business Week for more on the subject.

Resources:

"Konarka and Textronics Partner to Develop Power-Generating Wearable Electronics", Joint press release, 9/28/05
Textronics, Wilmington, Delaware
Konarka, Lowell, MA

Technocrati tags: textiles, solar, energy, renewable, alternative energy

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Great!
Solar is great source of supplying electricity and heat. Solar energy could be used in cooling by simply circulating fluid through pipes underground and in the homes inner structure using solar electric powered pumps. Another big use of solar energy.

[Andy]

Really so? If I can, I think I will be very happy. Because the time to travel or travel must be feeling a lot of trouble carrying a battery charger. Because sometimes forgotten in the road to buy a new one. Or is it in the case of no electricity.

[Adam Mack]

Wearable solar charger is just one of the best gadgets ever invented. A solar cell battery is needed to power up this kind of tool. Solar Energy can really help us live our lives easier.

[Stephen Kain]

Great! I really like reading about post like these concerning alternative energy resources, And also devices which i can use for green living such as Solar Powered Water Pump this truly works well for decreasing waste materials helping preserve the going down hill earth. that is the reason why we always keep a spare useful all the period.

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The fact that is energy is renewable makes a valuable asset to the industry. I am looking forward to further developments of this interesting development.

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I hope this will not make the non-rechargeable batteries obsolete. As I see it, some non-rechargeable batteries still have a place in every home. For instance, because rechargeable batteries lose their charge quicker than most non-rechargeables, they are not recommended for long-term use in appliances such as smoke detectors and battery operated clocks or high-drain devices such as digital cameras.