Dutch designer Pauline Van Dongen has been exploring the possibilities of creating clothing with solar technology since 2013 and the 'Radius' energy-harvesting backpack is the latest development in the high-tech project. In conjunction with Eva de Laat, the two women crafted a three-dimensional object by using a singular double-layered jersey textile.
The Radius was created with a single piece of knitted fabric and a specific technique that allows for the incorporation of a beaded structure, consisting of small spheres — the solar cells. The energy-harvesting backpack can charge the adventure-seeker's smart devices on the go as the sun's rays are collected from the straps and fed into a easily accessible charger cable. The beautiful royal blue color and the lightweight properties of the Radius make it an aesthetically-pleasing and extremely functional piece.
Key Themes Behind This Trend
- Solar-powered Wearables
- Creating clothing and accessories that incorporate solar technology to power smart devices presents a disruptive innovation opportunity in the wearables industry.
- Energy-harvesting Backpacks
- Developing backpacks that can charge devices on the go using solar technology can revolutionize the outdoor adventure industry.
- Knitted Solar Cells
- Incorporating solar cells into knitted fabrics presents a disruptive innovation opportunity for the textile industry, allowing for the creation of functional and aesthetically-pleasing solar-powered products.
Where This Applies
- Wearables
- The wearables industry can benefit from incorporating solar technology to create functional and sustainable products.
- Outdoor Adventure
- Developing energy-harvesting backpacks that can charge devices on the go using solar technology presents a disruptive innovation opportunity in the outdoor adventure industry.
- Textile
- Incorporating solar cells into knitted fabrics presents a disruptive innovation opportunity for the textile industry, allowing for the creation of functional and aesthetically-pleasing solar-powered products.
