Aug. 31, 2005— A research team has invented a solar hat that users on the go can wear to charge cell phones, handheld music devices and other small, portable electronics, according to a recent Iowa State University press release.

The hat does not generate enough energy to power a notebook computer, but it could eliminate power problems related to cell phones, mp3 players, digital cameras and similar devices that seem to run out of power just when electrical sources are unavailable.

The hat, and a handheld purse that uses the same technology, should become available to consumers within approximately a year, according to their inventors.

"We are currently in the prototyping stages of the project, as we have several ideas on the table and are working to get that technology patented and to get our prototypes tested," said Joe Hynek, a doctoral student in mechanical engineering who is part of the research team.

Hynek added, "We have a couple of versions of the hat: a cowboy-hat style, a weekender style and a rice-paddy style."

All of the hats and the purse are outfitted with exterior thin film solar panels that convert photons — units of light — into electricity. Devices then can be plugged into a battery, which collects the energy.

The hat and purse also work at night.

"Our system has energy storage built in so extra energy that is captured can be saved and then used when the sky is cloudy or at night time," Hynek told Discovery News. "This system enables users to get more out of their day's worth of energy collection."

The hats are designed to emit as little radiation as possible, not only for the safety of wearers, but also because that would waste the sun's energy.

Notebooks do not work with the solar hats and purses because the average laptop requires around 50 watts of electrical energy. This would require a huge thin film cell that, in turn, would need to go on a gigantic hat or purse that simply would look terrible and would be impractical, Hynek said.

Evgeny Shafirovich, a research scientist at Purdue University's School of Chemical Engineering, is working on a new fuel cell system that may be able to recharge notebook computers. Fuel cells are more efficient than solar cells, said Shafirovich, making them a more practical option for powering portable computers.

The system requires users to purchase cartridges containing aluminum/chemical gel pellets. A chemical reaction causes ultra tiny pieces of aluminum suspended in the gel to ignite. Hydrogen is released during the combustion process. The fuel cell then generates electricity using the released hydrogen, along with oxygen and water.

The system automatically keeps a notebook recharged, until the cartridge wears out and need replacing.

Shafirovich is unsure when notebooks will include the fuel cell technology; researchers are working to increase the power yield before the system goes on the market.