PV Shades Give New Meaning To Word â€œSunglassesâ€

Thanks to thin films and - in this case - dye-sensitized cells, designers can put solar panels pretty much anywhere. The fact that Hyun-Joong Kim and Kwang-Seok Jeong, the two designers created the SIG (self-energy converting sunglasses) probably has less to do with the inherent brilliance of this creation, and more to do with the fact that they were looking at a pair of sunglasses one day and said â€œHey! What if we put SOLAR CELLS in these?â€

Still, at least they actually did it... although it would take a lot of guts to actually wear them in public, even if the things do power your iPod. They arenâ€™t exactly Ray Bans. Also, last time I checked solar cells worked best when positioned to face the sunlight. But people donâ€™t like to look into the sunlight, even when wearing sunglasses. Seems like a waste to make solar cells that will end up capturing so much less energy than they could in another application.

Via Cleantechnica

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written by Tom, December 19, 2008

Cool concept, but like you stated, not practical. Kind of reminds me of that solar jacket for the ipod.
http://www.worththeenergy.wordpress.com

Dyes...
written by Julien, December 20, 2008

If I remember correctly, the dye mentioned here allows the light to not hit at a direct angle and still gather a substantial proportion of the energy. I understand that there will be considerably less sunlight, but still...

Also, I think they look pretty futuristic and cool. I'd take a pair!

Cool
written by Jeffery Miller, December 21, 2008

I'll take a pair!

President
written by QAndria Bty, December 21, 2008

The idea of solar protectiopn is futuristic, and almost barbric that at this time and space it does not exist through the continents of the world, but I respect people like yu who disseminate the data to make it all happen in reality with your love of human conditions the spaces in time where free will is often confused with a lack of knowledge as opposed to the written laws of nsture for us to exist in a
perpetual clean and clear minded environment.

President
written by James, December 25, 2008

I will take a pair. Can you order them?

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written by joel, December 26, 2008

wait, maybe i'm slow...what do you use the energy in your sunglasses for?

PV Shades
written by Robert Pritchett, December 26, 2008

Totally inefficient and definitely will not "power" an iPod. Perhaps they could add the solar cells from those 4-function calculators instead to the frames?

This is a design concept only and not a manufactured product at this time.

Any reason why they look like Roswell Alien eyes?

Just wear them on top of head
written by azul, December 28, 2008

looking cool...

great idea but...
written by brads, December 29, 2008

why don't they make windows out of them. put one on every other window in a skyscraper and you could power the entire building and still keep your view. and reduce glare...

Awesomeness
written by greenspeechie, January 02, 2009

I would wear those, even if they are inefficient.

Creative, indeed!
written by Sally G, January 02, 2009

Look, guys, not every idea is practical right out of the gate. How many tries did it take Edison to get the light bulb to work? But I give these designers great credit for having the idea, pursuing it as a concept, much as auto companies make "concept cars" whose real purpose is to "push the envelope" and fuel the innovations that become future practical features. Way to go! (And, yes, I'd wear a pair!)

Measure the Light
written by BeholdersEye, January 13, 2009

Apparently, you never measured the sunlight or indirect sunlight. Even in the 'shade' outdoor light is a thousand time brighter then if you were indoors. These glasses will work anywhere outdoors.