Abstract

Nowadays, battery life is one of the most challenges issues in the development of Wearable Technologies. However, the light exposure of our body extends the possibilities of solar energy harvesting on Wearables. We propose a novel approach to intertwine solar cells and materials for energy harvesting through clothing and accessories’ surfaces for creating self-charging devices and power generation. This paper presents IntiWear: an approach for using dye-doped acrylic as a solar energy concentrator for Wearables. The material we use is Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA or Acrylic Glass) that was doped dyed to concentrate energy. This material is commonly used for harvesting energy through furniture, windows and buildings’ surfaces that are exposed to the sun. For the purposes of this project, these pieces are in direct contact to the solar cells to concentrate and harvest energy from the PMMA pieces. The solar cells are cut in triangle and square shapes, and attached to the side of the PMMA pieces in order to not totally expose the solar cell. IntiWear’s design incorporate PMMA into fashion where the solar cells are hidden, each energy concentrator becomes a clothing adornment, and the shape and colors are customizable. This paper shows different tests of the PMMA doped dye and our circuit performance. It also describes the development of two applications: a solar coat as a power bank for charging Smartphones and a self-charging purse that lights up whenever it is opened. The aim of the project is to generate sustainable energy by the use of an alternative solution for solar cells in Wearables that is efficient, customizable and fashionable.
 

Keywords

Solar energy, Wearables, PMMA, Solar energy concentrator, Solar cell, Mobility, Wearables face, Photovoltaics, Intertwine textiles, Piezoelectric, Sensors, Energy consumption, IntiWear, Electric grid, Stretchable polymers