Eco Factor: Solar energy harnessing fiber could turn clothes into renewable energy generators.
Are you tired of the low battery signals from your cellphone and your iPod? Konarka, the number one solar material maker from the US, is here with a solution. They have yet again come up with an innovative idea to incorporate photovoltaic fiber into our wardrobes. This can prove to be a revolutionary step, as it will always keep our gadgets charged and that to in a sustainable manner.
The specially designed jacket will be woven with photovoltaic cells which will be in a form of thin fibers. Each thread will be made up of stainless steel of the thickness of a human hair and another thinner wire. The stainless wire will be covered with three layers of organic photovoltaic material. The thinner wire will be coated with silver paste and will function as the secondary electrode. For insulation and protection, the wires are coated with a transparent polymer. Now, the thread is ready to be woven into sustainable clothing-jackets, shirts and maybe the entire wardrobe.
This solar fiber can convert 3% of sunlight into electrical energy. This may sound really small but the large surface area of the fibers covers up the low efficiency and runs our gadgets throughout the day.
Via: Dvice/Talk2MyShirt
