Solar powered gadget jacket from ScotteVest
(Mobilemag) ICP Solar Technologies Inc. (ICP), the world’s largest developer of solar products for consumers, and SCOTTeVEST LLC, the leading Technology Enabled Clothing (TEC) company, have unveiled the first solar power jacket prototypes designed to allow wearers to carry, connect and charge their portable digital devices, at the 2004 International CES in Las Vegas.
The ICP Global Solar division is integrating ICP?s flexible thin-film photovoltaic technologies (CIGS) in three models of SCOTTeVEST jackets. These jackets will allow wearers to carry, connect and charge their portable digital devices in one convenient and fully integrated package. Strategically mounted CIGS panels are pre-wired, providing solar power to individual devices for power storage (charging) or immediate consumption.
?These prototypes clearly show the full commercial potential of ICP?s exclusive flexible solar technology in the world of intelligent clothing,” said Sass M. Peress, President and CEO of ICP Solar Technologies Inc.
ICP Global Solar CIGS technology is a high efficiency, ultra lightweight personal solar power solution that has proved itself in numerous applications, ranging from marine to desert environments. It is a highly durable and self-repairing solar technology, ideally suited for mobile applications. Combined with integrated charge control and optional battery/charger systems, it provides the conveniences of back-up and always on, on-demand small scale solar electrical power.
Through its wholly-owned division, Technology Enabled Clothing (TEC), SCOTTeVEST LLC will assist ICP in showcasing the potential of integrating solar technology into clothing. TEC owns the intellectual property rights associated with the incorporation of third-party wires into clothing through a series of internal, hidden conduits referred to as a Personal Area Network (P.A.N.). In addition to incorporating the solar panels in SCOTTeVEST products, TEC expects to assist ICP in bringing solar technology into other mainstream outerwear clothing products using its patent-pending P.A.N. design.
“We are constantly seeking solutions to build state-of-the-art wearable technology. We believe that this project represents the next logical step in consumer wearable computers. No longer will you have to rely on traditional power sources to recharge your mobile electronic devices. We expect solar panels together with the P.A.N. to be incorporated into approximately 30% of all outerwear in the next three to five years.? said Scott Jordan, Chairman and CEO of SCOTTeVEST LLC.
