How to Use Solar Cell to Charge Phone (Essay Sample)

How to Use Solar Cell to Charge Phone
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Table of Contents TOC \o "1-3" \h \z \u Abstract PAGEREF _Toc424808057 \h 3Introduction PAGEREF _Toc424808058 \h 4Various Companies Working On Use of Solar Energy Generation PAGEREF _Toc424808059 \h 5Formulation of Our Research PAGEREF _Toc424808060 \h 6Allocation of Solar Panel PAGEREF _Toc424808061 \h 6Allocation of Piezo-Electric Material PAGEREF _Toc424808062 \h 8Implementation of Research PAGEREF _Toc424808063 \h 10From the Researchers of United States of America PAGEREF _Toc424808064 \h 11Conclusion PAGEREF _Toc424808065 \h 13References PAGEREF _Toc424808066 \h 14
Abstract
With the presence of commercial products on the market, we ask why this trend hasn’t gained the mainstream appeal it deserves? Price is a defining factor in this issue, as even just one charger can cost $45 (and more) per cell phone device. According to a feature from Cnet in 2011, the viability of a solar panel cell phone charger is heavily dictated by price, how quickly a charge can be transmitted and how consistently it works. Samsung released a product called the Replenish for their Sprint device, for $30. According to the manual, it ‘only promises a charge if you hold the phone at a 90-degree angle to the sun’ with an extra ‘…20 minutes more talk time after an hour of sun worship’ (‘Are Mobile Solar Chargers Worth It?’ Jessica Dolcourt, 2011). Based on Dolcourt’s experience with the device, there was success in charging through the sunlight, but it required staying outside to utilize the sun’s natural energy.
Introduction
Wearable solar power energy is the primary topic of our research; this introductory essay will outline the basis uses of current solar power technology and its application for charging mobile devices. Companies like Solio and Goal Zero already provide solar powered solutions for phone chargers, and other applications. Solio’s range of solar energy products ranges from headlamps, lighting products, water purifiers and most interestingly, iPhone and Android solar chargers. These products come as battery packs, providing a portable hub for phones to be conveniently charged without the necessity for an electrical source, just the sun’s natural energy. With their Classic 2 product, multiple charging pads for mobile phone devices can be utilized simultaneously. (Solio, Goal Zero 2015)
Our research into this topic uncovered products from just a few years ago where some major companies have been entering the market. In 2012, Nokia introduced a solar phone charger for Nigerian consumers. This was an important milestone in the face of Nigeria’s current mobile situation, where a lack of utility electricity requires consumers to charge at costly public outlets, all of which are diesel powered and expensive to maintain (MTN Spends N660 Million on Diesel Monthly in Nigeria, Balancing Act). This device worked by connecting an existing cell phone to an external product, and then situating the devices in the direction of natural sunlight. The pilot product helped increase awareness on the viability of solar power cell phone chargers, evident by the following year’s announcement to implement solar power charges into upcoming Windows Phones (Nokia Teasing Solar Charging on Future Windows Phones, Rich Edmonds 2013).
Various Companies Working On Use of Solar Energy Generation
With wearable technology like Google Glass and the iWatch entering the market, surely a market exists for wearable solar powered devices? According to a recent Forbes article, this prospect is becoming a reality thanks to many companies. Tommy Hilfiger recently released a line of jackets featuring solar powered panels (‘Tommy Hilfiger Launches Solar Powered Jackets…’, Michelle Star 2014), while jewellery maker Swarovski and tech start-up Misfit Wearables have teamed up to release a collection of solar powered accessories for women, including fitness and sleep trackers (Here’s the World’s First Solar-Powered Wearable, Forbes 2015).
Our aim is to develop a hat that would contain solar energy which can be used to charge mobile phones and other similar peripherals whenever required. Equipping the hat with solar cells and containing the accumulated energy in the battery will not be an issue as the technology is already very well developed. But, the real problem is that the solar cells equipped on the top of the hat would be having a limited surface area to cover up, hence the amount of energy accumulated will be low. (Hassan 2014) As a result, a single charge of an average phone can require several hours of exposure to sunlight. We aim to tackle this problem by cover the hat not only horizontally but vertically and radially too so that the hat can absorb the solar energy from all the directions. (Friedman 2005) As a result, we very well can see that our proposal is very much feasible and with a correct sense of direction we will be able to accomplish this task.
Formulation of Our Research
Here, we will figure out an efficient way of generating solar power in a manner such that an appropriate amount of energy could be generated. With this, our objective to charge the battery of a cellular phone could be achieved. The total research will be focused on an experimental approach which will be shown through this report. It will help us to enhance the output power received through solar cell panels attached with the object at a suggestive level. In this process, we will be using piezoelectric material along with solar cell panels which would help further in the process CITATION YKR10 \l 16393 (Chandrakasan, 2010).
Piezoelectric material will provide additional energy through distinct body movements in the form of mechanical stress or vibrations. Since this aspect can be found more helpful in the situation when the device will not be in contact with sun, as piezoelectric energy generation would still be in active mode in such scenario as well. Now the goal of the experiment will be with one bigger object that piezoelectricity should have the ability to provide sufficient amount of energy; in case there are rainy or cloudy days continuing for long time. CITATION YKR10 \l 16393 (Chandrakasan, 2010)
Project involves study of different processes and collectively will be used in achieving our goal appropriately. On account of this, we will require a kit which would include a solar panel, piezoelectric sensor, and rechargeable battery. The next goal will be assembling the kit onto the Hat which is our object for further preparation.
Allocation of Solar Panel
Solar energy is distinct from all other forms of energy found in the world. Solar cells can store solar energy and convert them into electrical energy; this electrical energy would further be stored in rechargeable batteries proactively. Solar cells will only be in working state when sun shines. These cells are photovoltaic cells which are usually organised in a grid structured pattern over the area of solar panel CITATION Wer06 \l 16393 (Werner, 2006). Now next target is to place these solar cell panels into the hat. For this, we can use flexible solar cells which usually are composed for clothing applications.
As the application of solar cell panels across the hat is our main perspective, flexible solar cells will be found helpful. Horizontally at the top of its surface, radially at its height and another horizontal surface of strip has to be covered by solar cell panels.
Figure SEQ Figure \* ARABIC 1 Locations where Solar Cell Panels can be placed
These thin film solar cells are comprised of layer of two dimensional stack along with carrying very thin film in the third dimensional planer substrate. It is more suitable for our object because these flexible photovoltaic systems can be bent at some extent, but can never be crinkled. These types of solar cells are composed of copper which are later allocated on a fabric made up of photovoltaic fibres. Although there may exist certain issues in the implementation of photovoltaic systems. Such as moving interconnects may create disturbance in the circuitry and shadowing due to rainy or cloudy climate. CITATION Wer06 \l 16393 (Werner, 2006)
In response to the above mentioned problems, we can adopt organic and dye synthesised solar cells. These are more feasible and reliable for our application.
Allocation of Piezo-Electric Material
Piezoelectric effect is process of generating electric charges by applying a mechanical stress upon a certain material. There are several material available which can be used as a piezoelectric transducer such as Barium Titanate or Lead Zirconate Titanate. These are natural polycrystalline ferroelectric ceramics materials. These are widely taken in consideration in order to manufacture portable piezoelectric transducers. CITATION Kon12 \l 16393 (Konstantin Astafiev, 2012)
As a human body will be wearing the customized hat which, we are supposed to prepare. It means, the source of mechanical energy required for conversion will be human body. Further, the vibrations received from its movements will be transformed into electrical energy through piezoelectric material. Next goal here, is to find flexible piezoelectric device for our hat application. For this, we can find flexible piezoelectric material which is used feasibly to the in textile applications. Meggitt Sensing Systems, an association from Denmark has been working in the manufacturing of piezoelectric materials and its components for years. The material found from such firms is manufactured upon high temperature and hence having efficient piezoelectric charge coefficient. CITATION Kon12 \l ...