Researchers create solar tie that charges, carries cellphone
By Donald Melanson 
posted Aug 18th 2008 4:04PM
posted Aug 18th 2008 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]
Because everyone who wears ties spends copious amounts of time outdoors.
Yes, brilliant planning. Next they should make a solar umbrella, for charging your phone during rainstorms.
I don't see myself buying this. My threshold for wearing a tie is much shorter than any 3G cellphone's battery life.
What a fabulous fashion statement! I hope these don't go on back order when they come out!
Interesting idea, ugly but interesting.
"Charges cell phones, carries cell phones, ....." and makes the user look like a complete douchebag.
This guy looks like Casey Tatum!! hahaa
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.
The jock strap version is even better....they call it mellow yellow, quite rightly!
The jock strap version is even better....they call it mellow yellow, quite rightly!
it doesn't look very nice though
http://www.totalsolarenergy.co.uk/solar-power.html