Energy Harvesting: Solar-Powered Cell Phone Charger

Try this!

(1-2 minutes)

1. Choose a device from the choices listed on the right.

2. Locate its source of energy (solar panel).
3. Cover the source with your finger. What happens?

Whats going on?

Solar cells or photovoltaic cells work by converting sunlight into
electricity directly using photovoltaics (PV). Its beginnings can be
traced back to 1876 when William Grylls Adams and his student
Richard Day discovered that selenium produced electricity when it
was exposed to light. A second source of solar energy involves the
indirect use of concentrated solar power (CSP).

Now try this!

Solar Powered Flower and Calculator

How Solar Panels Work

(5 minutes)

1. Connect the fully-charger solar-powered phone charger to

your device (phone or tablet).
2. Observe what happens.
3. Describe the energy conversion process which occurs.
4. What are some drawbacks to using this device?

Whats going on?

Generally speaking: The photovoltaic cells in the solar
powered phone charger collected sunlight directly, converted it to
energy and transferred that energy to the device. Specifically: A
group of photovoltaic cells are connected electrically and grouped
together in a solar panel. These photovoltaic cells are made of
semiconductors that absorb sunlight and release electrons to flow
freely. Photons of light jar electrons loose from the material
causing an imbalance between the positive protons and the
negative electrons resulting in an electrical field. The electrical
fields that surround photovoltaic cells are designed to cause
electrons to flow in a specific direction, creating an electrical
current.
.

Solar powered Cell Phone Charger

with 2 devices charging.

Photovoltaic Cells

How is this ASSIST?

The goal of ASSIST is to incorporate nanotechnology into wearable selfpowering devices that monitor and transmit data for long-term trend
analysis. Harnessing solar power to fuel the operation of devices offers a
promising means for achieving this goal.

Wearable Devices

Learning Objectives
1. Participants will explain how solar energy is converted into electrical energy
2. Participants will describe evaluate solar energy as renewable, clean energy.

Materials

Solar powered calculator

Solar powered flower or other item
Solar powered phone charger

Cellular phone or other device with charger

cord.

Notes to the presenter

Before doing this activity, please do the following:
Purchase or locate the calculator and the solar powered flower before the day of presentation.
Charge the solar powered phone charger before the presentation.
Test the charger with the phone to make sure that it will work.
Tips:
1. Make sure that your solar charger corresponds to your phone; some models are phone-specific.
2.

Try out the demonstration ahead of time to work out any bugs; allow time to call tech support if there is
a problem with the charger.

3. Since the flowers do not cost much ($1-3) have extras on hand if one should get dropped or damaged
and doesnt work.
SAFETY: Exercise any precautions when you are using electricity (phone charger).
Cleanup: None.

Related educational resources

For further research: These are excellent articles on nanotechnology, solar power and wearable devices.
1. http://energy.gov/articles/top-6-things-you-didnt-know-about-solar-energy
2. http://energy.gov/eere/education/clean-energy-jobs-and-career-planning
3. http://science.howstuffworks.com/environmental/green-tech/sustainable/5-solar-powered-gadgets.htm
4. http://theinstitute.ieee.org/technology-focus/technology-topic/everyday-nanotechnology
5. https://www.wearable-technologies.com/2014/07/energy-harvesting-for-wearables/
6. https://www.wearable-technologies.com/store/health.html

Credits and rights

Esta Lampkin, ASSIST Center at North Carolina State University.

http://science.howstuffworks.com/environmental/energy/solarcell1.htmhttp://electronics.howstuffworks.com/gadgets/travel/solar-battery-chargers1.htm