As consumers demand more battery power from portable devices, Apple is set to deliver it. Apple has filed a patent for integrating solar cells into portable devices by placing them underneath the layers of a touch-sensitive display.
The invention (US Patent 20080094025) is known as the “Solar cells on portable devices” and pertains to methods, structures, and apparatuses for using solar cells with portable devices. Outfitted with such technology, Apple gadgets could re-charge themselves on the fly without outlets or USB cables.
According to Apple, multiple solar cells would be arranged on the surface of the device such that a number of solar cells may always be functional and produce a desired voltage even if the rest is obstructed. The filing said that information regarding solar cells’ functions or performances could be displayed either on the device’s main display or on top of the solar cells.
Solar cells have been around for many years, but its commercial use has been very limited. This is partly due to economic reasons. The cost of generating a unit amount of energy using currently available solar cell technologies is still more expensive than using other alternative technologies such as those based on fossil fuels. For some applications, however, solar power can be a viable option. Some devices, such as handheld GPS units, are designed to be used outdoors and therefore they can be more suitable to be powered by solar energy.
One of the additional benefits of using renewable energies such as solar power is that they are “clean” and environmentally friendly. Products based on solar power can appeal to many environmentally conscious consumers.
