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iPhones That Charge Themselves? There's a Future Hack For That, Thanks to UCLA Researchers

Categories: Technology

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Okay, hipsters. Don't all jizz yourselves at once.

But it looks like UCLA researchers have discovered a way for you to revive your juiced iPhone with solar rays -- no ad-on charger necessary. Well, in theory, anyway. This is some year-2000 future shit.

Your fellow geeks at UCLA say they've found a way to "harvest" light via LCD screens. According to a school statement:


... UCLA engineers have created a novel concept for harvesting and recycling energy for electronic devices -- one that involves equipping these devices' LCD screens with built-in photovoltaic polarizers, allowing them to convert ambient light, sunlight and their own backlight into electricity.

Wow. Like a self-winding wristwatch.

Nerdy, we know. But you won't be so critical when you're walking your date back to her tent after Coachella and your iPhone has mad charge to illuminate your way around empty bottles and downed hipsters in the parking lot.

iPhone-GUI-map.jpg

Researchers at UCLA's Henry Samueli School of Engineering and Applied Science say their discovery (published in the journal Advanced Materials) could also have uses for TVs, computer monitors, laptops and iPads.

Yang Yang, a professor of materials science at UCLA a lead researcher on the project:

... Next time you are on the beach, you could charge your iPhone via sunlight ... I believe this is a game-changer ...

Next time we're stuck in Vegas without a charge, we'll be thinking of you, Professor Yang. Godspeed.

[UCLA News].

[@dennisjromero/djromero@laweekly.com]


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5 comments
Thedryve
Thedryve

Ā I'd really like to "share" this, but the lewd,Ā irrelevant, albeit gorgeous, thumbnail prevents me from such. Why you no make safe for work?!

Thedude442200
Thedude442200

Only hipsters use iPhones right? Hipster hipster hipster! I just learned a new buzzword that I think is clever! The only way I know how to make an article intersting is to add buzzwords. Look at me I'm and LA weekly writer!

Roberto Rosario
Roberto Rosario

I just paid $24,97 for an iPad2 and my girlfriend loves her Panasonic Lumix GF 1 Camera that we got for $37,74 there arriving tomorrow by UPS. I will never pay such expensive retail prices in stores again. Especially when I also sold a 40 inch LED TV to my boss for $675 which only cost me $71,32 to buy. Here is the website we use to get it all from, MetaCent.com

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