I’ve made a habit of carrying a portable charger for a couple of years now. It’s nice to have a backup when my phone is running dry, but it’s annoying to lose even more of my pocket real estate. Plus, when the battery runs out, that’s it for you. What if we could charge our phones with solar power? How would we connect a panel to our phones, you ask? Well, how about the shirt on your back?
Scientists at Nottingham Trent University in Britain have discovered a way to weave tiny solar cells into the lining of ordinary clothing. When I say “tiny,” I mean 3mm in length and 1.5mm in width. They’re so small, you wouldn’t even know they’re there unless you’re looking for them. These cells are incorporated into a special kind of yarn and encased in resin. 200 cells can fit into a space of 5 square centimeters. You’d need around 2000 of these guys to provide a stable charge, but the cells are small and flexible enough that you wouldn’t even feel them on you, and thanks to their resin, they’re washer safe, too.
These clothes would be a beneficial step in the reduction of energy usage. Even if we’re just charging phones, that’s one less item plugged into the wall, and if everyone’s phones were charging with solar power, that’s a big footprint reduction.
