Solar Power Through Your Phone's LCD Screen
by Justin Thomas, Virginia on 04.23.07
Motorola recently received an interesting patent for the idea of combining an LCD screen and a solar cell on phone (or other wireless devices). Cellphones don't have a lot of space for capturing sunlight, so this dual-purposing of the screen makes a lot of sense. Motorola's patent notes that this technology is better with black-only LCDs where 75% of sunlight passes through. Apparently, this idea has been kicked around for a while, but the thin-film technology needed to make this happen is still costly, so devices with solar LCD screens haven't appeared on the market. :: Via: Crunch Gear and Patent Monkey
Except for the fact that cell phones are almost always in a pocket or purse (i.e. in the dark)
well,for some people who keep their phone on the dashboard/people who play games on their phone or use it a lot, its a good idea. and even for those who dont, the little sunlight they get could come in handy, especially in an emergency ,assuming the sun is shining during said emergency...
the only issue is cost, but as time goes by, it will become less of an issue.
@david, Actually, when the phone is in your pocket it does not consume a great deal, so it's very interesting that you can charge it as you are really using up battery
Considering we are on its verge of energy-source dead end, this kind of ideas are most welcome. We should stop thinking personal interest such as, how am I gonna make it work while i'm in the shade or in the dark? This could help everyone of us brace the reality that we or our things and gadgets should be energy-wise and environment-friendly.
Keep the ideas running so we can live in a better place.
This concept might work as dual power. Can run on recharge battery but have an option to acquire energy on those solar panels embedd on the its screen. It can also recharge its own battery using the solar source.
Double thumbs-up!