Cell Phone Chargers To Use New Solar Technology
January 31st, 2010
So your backpack or sports bag may soon be charging the solar battery on your cellphone or e-book. In a recent article in the New York Times by ANNE EISENBERG, entitled Recharging Your Cellphone, Mother Nature’s Way, Eisenberg reviewed a technological leap in the solar industry.
In the past, solar chargers used photovoltaic cells constructed with silicon or similar organic materials but these new solar cells use a photosensitive dye which starts an energy production process similar to that which occurs in the leaves of a plant when chlorophyll begins photosynthesis.
Eisenberg quoted:
The technology, long in development, will work best in full, direct sunshine, said Dr. Michael Grätzel, a chemist and professor at the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne in Switzerland. But the cells will also make good use of dappled and ambient light, including the indoor light of fluorescent bulbs.
It sounds like these dye based cells had a rocky start. They were first introduced to the science community in 1991 but they functioned only under ideal circumstances, that is in direct sunlight. However, Dr. Grätzel and his coworkers continued to work on the cells. Results are now considered successful enough for Mascotte Industrial Associates to incorporate them on Sony E-book covers and the Tonino Lamborghini messenger bag.
With these cells built into the carrying cases, we will soon be able to plug our phones or ipods into our our backpack, book bag or purse and never again have to drive around for an hour so we can make a call.
I would think it would help to live in a sunny location. However, Eisenberg’s article also confirms that Mark Thomas, the chief executive of Dyesol (the company that supplies the materials for construction of the solar cells) agrees with Grätzel and assures us that the technology has come a long way and that the cells draw energy from many sources other than direct sunlight and have even succeeded at generating energy in the moonlight.
I can’t see these being big sellers in Seattle or northern Maine, however I may try one out in San Felipe this winter.