Solar Cells Can Recharge Cell Phones

Solar cells use photosensitive dye to provide power for e-book
readers to cell phones, but what happens when a solar charged cell phone
breaks? Independent repair shops will still be on standby.

New solar cells can convert sunlight to energy, in much the same way
that leaves use chlorophyll to begin photosynthesis. The key is a
photosensitive dye expressed by miniature solar panels that can assume
as many shapes as the humanoid “shape shifters,” a species of
extraterrestrial alien once featured on a Star Trek spinoff television
series. E-book readers will stitch the thin, flexible panels into the
reader’s cover. New lines of backpacks and sports bags already have the
solar cells housed inside their fabric to recharge cell phones and
music players.

The only prerequisite is light, either full direct sunshine for best
results, or dappled and ambient light, such as fluorescent bulbs used
indoors, for acceptable results.

The newest technological twist is the dye. Until this innovation,
photovoltaic cells consisted of silicon or related inorganic materials,
not dyes.

The dye-sensitized cells have become increasingly efficient at
converting sunlight and other ambient light into electricity. It works
like this: Within the solar cell, the dye is painted in a thin layer on a
porous titanium dioxide scaffold to collect light, and in a series of
steps, to create power.

All well and good, but fast forward a year or two, when solar cells
have become commonplace to charge waning cell phones. The very
employment of this technology is likely to mean less dependence on cell
phone manufacturers as conventional chargers become passé.

Manufacturer warranties will also become increasingly passé as
consumer independence becomes the rule, instead of the exception. Cell
phones, even smartphones, which will by then no doubt approach genius
level, will no longer need battery chargers. But humans being what they
are, these devices will still be subject to human error, and BREAK. With
all this extra autonomy for consumers, what then? What options for
repair will still exist? Not to fret, not yet. Independent repair shops
are likely to be more prevalent in this brave new solar-charged world,
not less.

Cell phones and their cousins are likely to be cracked and smashed,
or damaged by water, or even get infiltrated into their delicate
mechanisms by such prosaic invaders such as a dash of eggnog. But
skilled service technicians will know what to do then, just as they do
now.

Jeff Gasner is with CPR-Cell Phone repair. The leader in Cell Phone
Repair and iPod repair offering cell phone repair services nationwide.
To learn more about Cell phone repair, ipod repair, cell repair services,
visit Chicagocellrepair.com.