Hasta La Gadget!

Ten hours of sunlight is enough to fully juice your iPad

Solar-powered laptop chargers always seemed a little mis-matched. Using a trickle of Sun-power to juice a thirsty computer is a little like running your big-screen TV from a trunk full of AAA cells. But tablets, which spend much longer away from power outlets, are perfect for solar power.

And the Spark Tablet Case is just the thing. The case, made from PET (recycled soda bottles), has a compartment inside for your tablet plus a bunch of mesh pockets for cables and other sundries. On the side are the solar panels, and these will fully charge the internal battery in ten hours (in direct sunlight).

That battery is the important part, as you could leave this hanging from your tent all day and then plug in your iPad when you get back from a long hike. The power comes out through two USB ports. Both provide 5 volts, one sends out 600mA and the other 2A. You can also plug in pretty much any other device using adapters, and the voltage can be stepped up to 12v for charging camera batteries.

It seems ideal for camping trips, except for the weight: at 1130 grams (around 2.5 pounds), you’ll probably wan to leave this at base camp. Just don’t forget to put it on a sunny rock while you’re gone.

$300, available now.

Spark Tablet Case [Voltaic]

See Also:

• Solar-Power Box Plugs Straight into Your Home
• Solar-Powered iPhone Battery Case: Apple Approves
• Solar Screens May Make Phone Chargers Obsolete
• DIY Friday: Charge Your iPhone With AAs or Solar Power
• Solar Power Kit Keeps Laptop, Car Running
• Ralph Lauren Solar-Powered Backpack Is Predictably Expensive …

Anyone who’s ever attempted to use a laptop on a sunny summer day can surely tell you that direct sunlight is not your friend — that’s why we like to ride out the season in our dark basement apartments. If only there were a way to harness the sun’s rays for good, instead of evil — like powering your PC while you’re off doing whatever it is that normal people do when it’s sunny outside. First introduced for the African market, Samsung’s NC215S will be hitting Russia in early August for 13,999 rubles ($479). The netbook sports a lid almost entirely monopolized by a solar panel, which contributes to an overall estimated battery life of 14.5 hours. The NC215S packs a 1.6GHz N570 Intel Atom dual-core processor, 250GB of storage, and 1GB of RAM into a 2.9 pound frame. It’s almost enough to make us want to venture out into the sunlight. Almost.

Update: The folks at Liliputing have been told the NC215S is heading stateside on July 3rd, with a suggested retail price of $399, so it looks like you’ll need to stay planted in your patience for just a few days more.

[Thanks, Marco]

Samsung NC215S solar netbook will see the light of day in Russia originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 20 Jun 2011 10:52:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Space weather gets nasty when the sun starts shooting plasma into the cosmos, and these solar storms wreak havoc on both satellites and gadgets here on earth. Scientists want to predict the sun’s eruptions so we can protect our gear (and know the best time to go tanning), and George Mason University researchers have made a discovery that may help us do so. By examining images from NASA’s Solar Dynamic Observatory spacecraft, Professor Jie Zhang and grad student Xin Cheng determined that magnetic ropes are causing coronal ejections. The ropes are formed by several magnetic fields wrapped around each other, and scientists believe they can carry electrical currents strong enough to cause the plasma bursts. Prior to an eruption, Zhang observed a low-lying channel with unique electromagnetic properties (believed to be a magnetic rope) heat a portion of the sun’s surface up to 10 million degrees. Once hot enough, the spot spewed forth copious amounts of the plasma and magnetic energy that gives GPS units and phones fits. Now that we know what gets Helios all riled up, we just need to find a way to calm him down. Close-ups of the sun in its tizzy are after the break.

Continue reading Sun’s coronal ejections caused by magnetic ropes, galactic weathermen to predict solar storms?

Sun’s coronal ejections caused by magnetic ropes, galactic weathermen to predict solar storms? originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 18 Jun 2011 09:46:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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With the recent eco and “setsuden” (energy saving) activities set in place in Japan since the disasters, Sharp has just announced a new concept, energy efficient, Eco House. Reported to have “zero CO2 emissions”, the new building combines the most recent green technology and Sharp’s newest energy-saving home appliances. The wooden two-story home is located in Osaka, well known for its heavy production of solar and LCD panels which are implemented throughout. Four researchers have resided in this trial house since May, measuring its effectiveness and comfort of living; Sharp’s ultimate goal is to minimize power consumption whilst providing a comfortable living environment.

Sharp proposes to save energy with this new concept in several interesting ways,including implementing throughout the house a number of key energy efficient home appliances which they have developed over the years. In descending order, air conditioners, lighting equipment, refrigerators, and televisions use the most energy, amounting to roughly two-thirds of the total power used in an average home. Installing the newest eco-friendly and energy saving devices, it is estimated that 30% of the average electricity bill could be cut.

Another technique they plan on using is allowing residents to “see” how much electricity is actually being saved/used. By using devices such as AQUOS LCD TVs and LCD tablets networked into the HEMs (Home Energy Management Systems), or the “brains” of the eco home, the amount of energy each individual appliance is consuming is displayed to the residents. With more aware consumers, it is said that this could save up to 15% of electricity due to a more eco-conscious attitude.

LED and photovoltaic (solar powered) panel-generated electricity will also be the primary sources of lighting in Sharp’s eco house. These will be evaluated for their energy saving performance and are also able to adjust the brightness and color of the lighting to provide a comfortable and relaxing living environment. There will be sensors located around the house to detect people’s movement and activate sufficient lighting accordingly, minimizing the waste of unnecessary usage. DC (direct current) appliances will be powered by solar energy, which are collected by panels and preserved in storage batteries so that they may event operate in blackouts. In addition, Sharp has created the concept of using the storage battery of electronic vehicles to power appliances through its new Intelligent Power Conditioner.

The gradual movement towards eco houses is prevalent in Japan and has been taken place even before the disasters in March, examples seen in Pasona’s green offices, and the Tokyo Green Building Program introduced in 2005. It will be interesting to see how the new energy concerns that have risen out of “setsuden” will spur on innovation in industries and areas across the board.

Related Posts:
Tokyo’s Eco Office: Pasona Urban Farm
Tokyo Opens Up to Green Curtains
Electronics Innovate On Energy Concerns

Continue reading GE announces hybrid power plant of the (near) future

GE announces hybrid power plant of the (near) future originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 09 Jun 2011 16:24:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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