Solar-Powered Mobile Charger for Portable Devices to be Marketed

NTT Advanced Technology Corporation, a subsidiary of Japan's telecom giant Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation (NTT), will release "Pocket Energy," a portable solar-cell system for recharging mobile devices, at the end of June 2004. One of the features of this system is its versatility, which allows it to charge a wide range of 3- to 8-volt devices. The appropriate output voltage is set automatically by simply connecting the right cable to the device. Its battery has a storage capacity of about 5 Wh, almost equal to the capacity of two built-in mobile phone batteries.

On a sunny day, Pocket Energy can store about 50 percent more electrical power than a conventional solar-cell system, and can charge one built-in mobile phone battery in about two hours. The expected lifetime of the storage battery is over 500 recharging cycles. Thus, this new system provides clean energy equivalent to more than 1000 AA-type alkaline batteries. In addition, the system can be charged even in conditions that would present difficulties for conventional solar chargers, such as in indirect sunlight from a north-facing window on a sunny day.

With the rapid popularization and improved performance of mobile devices such as mobile phones, PDAs (personal digital assistants) and digital cameras in recent years, energy consumption by these devices has significantly increased. In line with this trend, the need has grown for a simple and convenient power source that can be used anywhere and has a low impact on the environment.

Pocket Energy features two original technologies developed by NTT: a single solar cell power-generating module and an automatic setting for power output. The two companies will continue their efforts to develop further applications in areas such as micro-fuel cells and remote-monitoring equipment with difficult access to commercial power sources.

http://www.ntt.co.jp/news/news04e/0402/040213.html

Posted: 2004/07/31 09:56:58 AM
Japanese version