so maybe this next feature, which plays into the same mentality - you must have a cell, you must have an ipod - doesn’t make a whole lot of sense. the thing is it has that undefinable quality of cool that makes it very desirable to me.
so for my friends who do carry cellphones, ipods and other tiny toys in their pockets, here’s a jacket that’ll allow you to charge on the fly without drawing energy off the grid. the italian fashion-house of ermenegildo zegna holditalia (go here to see what your super wealthy counterpart in italy can afford) http://www.zegna.com/
showed off their solar jacket recently in florence, italy. This coat takes fashion to a whole new level - adding a kick of techno-cool with built-in solar panels.
the technology is relatively simple but i don’t know of anyone else who is currently putting silicon-based polycrystalline solar modules and integrating them into a jacket’s collar. these solar modules are capable of converting 1 watt of sunlight. all the power is routed through conductive textiles that flex and move with your body. the sun-power can be used to directly charge your device or to charge an on-board battery.
the built-in battery can store extra power for later use, or directly charge your mobile phone or ipod in about four hours - but takes from four to eight hours to fully juice-up. a 5-volt usb connection is available to charge your ipod and there’s a 6-volt connection for your cell phone.
so who wouldn’t want something like this? well, maybe not exactly this but how about a parka, a really nice rainproof hoody, or a long sleeved t-shirt with built in solar juice collectors? i’m in when the looks, the purpose, and the price are right. oh, and if i get a cell and an ipod.
No comments:
Post a Comment