Solar-powered smartphones are coming closer, with tests in China
Summary: Smartphones should soon be able to charge themselves using transparent Wysips Crystal photovoltaic panels bonded into their screens. And if the idea takes off, tablets and eventually whole buildings could follow....
TCL Communication, a Chinese mobile phone manufacturer, is developing smartphones that recharge themselves using solar power. A phone is rather small for a solar panel, but it's using transparent Wysips Crystal technology that is bonded to the smartphone screen.
Wysips Crystal -- which stands for What You See Is Photovoltaic Surface -- has been developed by Sunpartner, which is based in the south of France. Sunpartner says: "The goal of this partnership is to develop smartphone prototypes powered by solar and artificial light. This project will enable TCL Communication to evaluate the technology in both technical and marketing terms."
TCL also has a French connection, in that it supplies Alcatel with its OneTouch mobile phone. It markets phones in more than 120 countries.
The companies expect that putting an ultra-thin layer of Wysips Crystal under the screen will enable a smartphone to generate enough power to maintain a charge. It hopes an hour of sunlight will provide enough power for 30minutes of conversation.
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