Apple Patents Solar Charging System for Laptops

(Photo : REUTERS)

A patent was issued to Apple for technology that would use photovoltaic cells to power a laptop, such as a MacBook. The technology, according to a report from ComputerWorld, would allow the device to be recharged through light.

The inside of the lid would have the traditional laptop display but the rear of the device would be covered by "electrochromatic glass." Also called "smart glass", this glass is able to receive control signals from control circuitry. The patent application stated, "The control signals can be used to place electrochromic glass in either a transparent (light passing) state or a translucent (light-blocking) state."

When in the light blocking state, the interior of the unit would be hidden from the exterior view, making it opaque. In its light passing state, the rear panel would become clear and allow images from LEDs or other light sources to be seen in the rear.

The device is called the "Electronic Device Display Module" and is registered as US Patent No 8,638,549, The technology can be utilized to deploy another number of applications, such as capactitative, optical, acoustic and others. The main discussion, according to a report from AppleInsider, revolves around the use of a photovoltaic system to be attached between the rear panel and its front facing LCD. Light would hit the photovoltaic which is converted into electrical energy for storage and immediate use.

This proposed design is very different from anything that the technology giant currently has in the maket. It has a sci-fi style to it, with an embedded Apple logo under the glass surface, according to a review from TechCrunch. While the other technology may still be for research and development purposes, the biggest breakthrough is the possibily of removing the need for batteries located within the unit itself. The future look of this technology all depends on the Apple engineers in the future.

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