![](\"http:\/\/cyber.law.harvard.edu\/blogs\/static\/dowbrigade\/sevsolar.jpg\")
To
\n the consternation of some of the smartest engineers on the planet, as
\n well as billions of electronic consumers the world over,
\n battery technology has not been advancing nearly as rapidly as the development
\n of faster, more powerful devices. <\/p>\n
The latest issue of MacAddict<\/a> contained a review of something called The drawbacks, unfortunately, are equally impressive. The stored energy is As usual, the egregious shortcomings set our mind to work thinking of On the output side, it shouldn’t be too hard to at least add Firewire Veering more into sci-fi territory an anti-theft instantaneous total discharge would be fun but probably unduly dangerous given the possibility of self-shocking.<\/p>\n How much would people pay for technicolor coat like this? If it had Solar SeV homepage<\/a><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" To the consternation of some of the smartest engineers on the planet, as well as billions of electronic consumers the world over, battery technology has not been advancing nearly as rapidly as the development of faster, more powerful devices. The … Continue reading
\n the "Solar
\n SeV Finetex Shell<\/a>," which seems to be a $474 high-tech jacket,
\n with 30 dedicated pockets for everything from your hand warmers to a
\n light saber. However,
\n the main distinguishing features are the solar panels on the back and
\n the built-in battery which can be used to recharge all of the marvelous
\n devices you have stored in the various pockets. In theory.<\/p>\n
\n available only via USB, meaning only devices which can charge up via
\n their USB connections can by recharged. This means no iPods, a deal breaker
\n in itself. It also eliminates most digital cameras. In addition,
\n the battery takes 3 to 4 hours in direct sunlight to charge up via the solar panels (detachable,
\n at least) and this is the ONLY way to charge it up. Finally, fully charging
\n a device from the battery can take three to five hours.<\/p>\n
\n what a product like this COULD offer. Battery technology being
\n what it is, having an effective 48-72 hour portable energy supply means
\n carrying around 8-12 pounds of extra weight. What better way to
\n easily and comfortably distribute that weight than weave it into a stylish
\n outerwear garment, like this jacket, or better yet a Matrixian leather
\n trench coat. 6 or 8 individual cells could be distributed throughout
\n the fabric and connected in a smart storage and discharge system.<\/p>\n![](\"http:\/\/cyber.law.harvard.edu\/blogs\/static\/dowbrigade\/sevsolar2.jpg\")
Now,
\n in order to be practical, the built-in battery needs to be rechargeable
\n via multiple modes. Solar power is groovy, but impractical in the real
\n world unless you are hiking the Andes during the dry season or crossing
\n the Kalahari. At the very least, the jack needs to be rechargeable via
\n wall socket (85-225 volts) and cigarette lighters. We have tons of unmetered
\n and unused energy in our environment – let’s use it!<\/p>\n
\n charging, which would include ‘Pods and cameras. Stain resistant and
\n waterproof would be nice.<\/p>\n
\n the features we mentioned and could really keep all our devices running
\n for a day or two, quite a bit. Any high-tech haberdashers out there?<\/p>\n