Solar Hat, Purse Charge Cell Phones
A research team has invented a solar hat that users on the go can wear to charge cell phones, handheld music devices and other small, portable electronics, according to a recent Iowa State University press release.
The hat does not generate enough energy to power a notebook computer, but it could eliminate power problems related to cell phones, mp3 players, digital cameras and similar devices that seem to run out of power just when electrical sources are unavailable.
The hat, and a handheld purse (bigger picture) that uses the same technology, should become available to consumers within approximately a year, according to their inventors.
“We are currently in the prototyping stages of the project, as we have several ideas on the table and are working to get that technology patented and to get our prototypes tested,” said Joe Hynek, a doctoral student in mechanical engineering who is part of the research team. “We have a couple of versions of the hat: a cowboy-hat style, a weekender style and a rice-paddy style.”
All of the hats and the purse are outfitted with exterior thin film solar panels that convert photons — units of light — into electricity. Devices then can be plugged into a battery, which collects the energy.
The hat and purse also work at night. “Our system has energy storage built in so extra energy that is captured can be saved and then used when the sky is cloudy or at night time,” Hynek told Discovery News. “This system enables users to get more out of their day’s worth of energy collection.”
The hats are designed to emit as little radiation as possible, not only for the safety of wearers, but also because that would waste the sun’s energy.
