Green Options

Solar has entered the world of fashion.  First we discovered the solar bikini, then the solar tie.  Photovoltaic cells are popping up everywhere, even purses. Iowa State University PhD student Joe Hynek created the solar handbag to charge women’s ipods and cell phones.  Hyneck explained his use of solar fashion:

I thought consumer stuff would be a good application.  Using technology, I could make an ecological statement

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Solar-powered clothing could be the next big trend for environmental enthusiasts. Researchers at North Carolina State University have designed a process called digital textile printing that makes it possible for solar panels to be fitted into jackets and ties.

The wearable solar panels act much like batteries when energized. With a consistency similar to paper, the panels shouldn’t weigh its wearers down too much.

However, the researchers did find problems with the neck tie: the solar panels make it extremely difficult to tie knots. They propose using a clip-on tie to remedy this problem.

The research team’s tie design contains a cell-phone pocket and 3.6V plug-in. And no, the solar clothing doesn’t create any dangerous electric shocks.