Amazing Science News from Iowa!
Iowa Thin Film Technologies, a companyin Ames, IA, (where I live) has completed
"the development of integrated solar technology for three Army tent prototypes. The tents integrate the company's PowerFilm® flexible solar panels directly with the tent fabric. Iowa Thin Film Technologies says that it is the only company in the world that has developed this fabric integration solar technology.Power output from the three tents ranges from approximately 200 Watts to 1 Kilowatt. Several tents can be joined for additional power. The generated power will be stored in a bank of batteries and used for a variety of purposes, ranging from lighting to ventilation to power for field communication radios, GPS systems, and recharging satellite phones and laptop computers."
Okay, maybe we won't be plugging into our clothing -- it probably wouldn't have enough surface area to generate useable power. Let's hope that in the future, none of us will be big enough to wear a tent!
Posted by Kathy at July 8, 2004 05:57 PM | TrackBack