Solar Powered Cellphone

This is an innovation in the making that goes one better than a previously reported
solar powered mobile phone charger. The actual mobile phone itself will be permanently switched on, using device-integrated, high efficiency solar cells.

The Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems, researchers' have taken the lead and are working on micro power engineering solutions and concepts such as "energy-harvesting" to provide the mobile power needed by modern communications devices.

"Energy-harvesting" is an attempt to harness power from multiple energy resources found in the environment of the mobile device through light, heat or motion. The movement of a users wrist can generate a heat flow source. Scientists are using this as well as flat micro-fuel cells and energy storage technology to improve operating times and standards on all mobile devices.

The more complex communication devices become (throw in Tv and Video streaming now), the more battery power is needed, current battery offerings just aren't lasting long enough to satisfy our 24 hour taste for mobile information.

Article quote
"Each new generation of portable electronic devices incorporates new data acquisition and processing capabilities, and transfer speeds have meanwhile become fast enough to stream movies or soccer matches. But this comes at a price in terms of operating time."

Power Management will become key in providing a self-sufficient hand held device which can link the energy delivered by batteries, solar cells, thermoelectrics or fuel cells in a device. Once the battery source of power becomes depleted the system will switch to fuel cells, in the meantime solar cells will continuously recharge the battery whenever light conditions are favourable. A permanently switched on Solution!

More good news is that all this energy producing technology will be available for your MP3 Players, Laptops and PDA's as well as your Mobile Phone!