Researchers create solar tie that charges, carries cellphone
by Donald Melanson 
posted Aug 18th 2008 at 4:04PM
There's certainly no shortage of folks working to incorporate solar cells into clothing and accessories, but a team of researchers from Iowa State University now look to have devised a way to make the wearable technology slightly more discreet, with them using digital textile printing to print fabric that matches the pattern of the solar cells. The solar cells themselves are then attached using a "liquid stitch" method, although that apparently presented its own set of problems, as the application of the cells made it difficult to tie a knot. As the researchers helpfully point out in thier paper, however, a clip-on tie would solve that problem. Combine that with the special pouch for carrying your cellphone, and you've got a combo that can't be beat.
[Via textually.org]
[Via textually.org]
Filed under: Misc, Accessories
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Mycroft @ Aug 18th 2008 4:14PM
Because everyone who wears ties spends copious amounts of time outdoors.
Nathan @ Aug 19th 2008 10:39AM
Yes, brilliant planning. Next they should make a solar umbrella, for charging your phone during rainstorms.
dukrous @ Aug 18th 2008 4:32PM
I don't see myself buying this. My threshold for wearing a tie is much shorter than any 3G cellphone's battery life.
GoodWill8675 @ Aug 18th 2008 5:17PM
What a fabulous fashion statement! I hope these don't go on back order when they come out!
snowenloe @ Aug 18th 2008 6:58PM
Interesting idea, ugly but interesting.
RAS @ Aug 18th 2008 10:06PM
"Charges cell phones, carries cell phones, ....." and makes the user look like a complete douchebag.
Jeremy K. @ Aug 18th 2008 11:28PM
This guy looks like Casey Tatum!! hahaa
Valicore @ Aug 19th 2008 10:57AM
Damn, first the piano-key tie, now this! What will they think of next? Hopefully it's a sign that says 'dumbass' that the people who would wear this wear so I can immediately see that you're a dumbass without experiencing the ocular trauma of having to look at that hideous monstrosity. Ugh.
keithwwalker @ Aug 19th 2008 7:16PM
The jock strap version is even better....they call it mellow yellow, quite rightly!
keithwwalker @ Aug 19th 2008 7:17PM
The jock strap version is even better....they call it mellow yellow, quite rightly!
Total Solar Energy @ Sep 22nd 2008 5:17AM
it doesn't look very nice though
http://www.totalsolarenergy.co.uk/solar-power.html