Solar-powered iPhone on the way?Apple has taken a shine to using solar cells in its mobile devices. 
Sandwiched together, the device's cover would have "at least one glass layer coupled to the solar-cell layer; and a flexible printed circuit board (PCB) layer coupled electrically and mechanically to the solar-cell layer", according to the patent application. This integrated design would allow the mobile device, be it a PDA or portable music player, to be charged from daylight without having a separate solar panel that needs to be plugged into it. The patent application also describes using multiple solar cells coupled to specific electrical components within a device, including the data-processing system and the memory. Drawings from the patent application show ways that a solar cell could be placed on the back cover of a device. Electricity generated from the cells would be fed to the device's rechargeable battery. In an older patent, Motorola sought to build a display that would allow enough light in to reach solar cells that charge a device. Its display calls for "organic light-emitting diode displays, and touch-sensitive displays are stacked with one or more solar cells." Having a solar cell integrated into a display or cover makes the device more likely to absorb light than if the panel is placed on the back. More significant, though, are the attempts by Apple and Morotola to package a solar cell into a device. Separate solar chargers can be small, but they add to the number of items consumers must carry around. Also, many solar chargers are essentially just small solar panels without the ability to store electricity for later. What remains to be seen is how much power an integrated cell, hid behind a display, can generate. This is dependent, of course, on the availability of light. But most likely, any solar-powered iPod or iPhone would include an AC adapter for standard charging. Originally posted at Green Tech
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Outstanding! Now when will Apple come up with the ability to use human heat to charge their devices? Hmm? Think The Matrix + Humans as batteries = some futuristic gadget.
"Come ladies and gentlemen! I have here the next greatest thing since slice bread! The mobile phone you'll never need to charge in your home, car or office! No need for sun or any light! Just pick up the phone and talk and let your body heat from you hands power the phone!" ^_^ I best patent my idea =P
May 29, 2008 12:42
