Dutch designer creates clothing line to charge mobiles

14 Dec '13

2 min read

Dutch designer Pauline Van Dogen, with help from solar energy expert Gert Jan Jongerden and Christian Holland from the HAN University of Applied Sciences, has created a new range of clothing that is embedded with photovoltaic technology, allowing the wearer to charge their phone wherever they are.

The ‘Wearable Solar’ clothing range features flaps that open up to reveal solar panels that would enable the wearer to become a walking mobile phone charger.

Ms. Von Dongen designed the front of the dress in a manner that it could hold 72 flexible cells that are attached to the panels and can be folded outwards to capture sunlight, and depending on the amount of light, the 48 rigid crystal solar panels on the jacket’s shoulder and waist leather flaps can be revealed and hidden.

With an hour’s worth of direct sunlight exposure, the garment can generate enough energy to charge a typical smartphone to 50 percent capacity.

The designer unveiled the collection for at the ‘Wearable Futures’ conference, an event showcasing innovations in wearable technologies, held recently in London.

According to Ms. Van Dogen, Wearable Solar is about integrating solar cells into fashion, so by augmenting a garment with solar cells the body can be an extra source of energy.

The project is a true integration of technology and fashion, which can transcend the realm of gadgets, she added.

Fibre2fashion News Desk - India

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