Solfone Project

1

• Solfone Project
• TC 848
• James Long

2
Introduction

• Problem
• Cell phone constantly has to be plugged in to be
  recharged
• Solution
• Develop a self sustaining cell phone to stop or
  reduce the need to plug in your phone for
  recharging

3
Who could use such a device?

• Places with no power
• Third World Nations
• Easily wirelessly connect an entire nation with
  data and voice
• Survival Enthusiasts
• Emergencies
• Convenience users
• Everyone

4
Prototype phone

• Nokia 3595
• Battery 3.6v Lithium Ion
• Charger 5v 300ma

5
Project Development

• How do we make it self sustaining?
• Use two different alternative energy sources to
  charge the phone
• Solar
• Kinetic
• How do you charge a battery?
• Provide a higher voltage

6
Project Development

• Solar
• Light photons are absorbed by a semi conductive
  material such as silicon to produce electric
  current
• http//www.howstuffworks.com/solar-cell.htm
• Experimented with several different solar cells

7
Project Development

• Kinetic
• Use electromagnetic induction to produce a
  voltage across a conductor with a changing
  magnetic flux
• Created several magnetic coils which have a rare
  earth magnets floating thru them to produce a
  magnetic flux to produce current

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Project Development

• Problems
• Inconsistent Current
• Variable with the on and off of the coils, and
  differing light
• added a capacitor to reduce
• Coils charging
• Coils would develop a magnetic field when
  connected to the battery of the phone, causing
  the magnets to shoot out
• Solved by adding a diode which stopped the
  current flowing back from the battery

9
Project Development

• Current Stage
• Utilizing a 6v 100ma solar cell
• 4 coils with 4 magnets which have produced over
  4v with vigorous shaking

10
Project Development

• Current Problems
• Length to Charge
• Solar 2 days of sunlight
• Kinetic?
• To slow to easily measure

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Future of the Technology

• Solar Cell
• in 1954 4 efficiency was top of the line
• Current panel only around 14-18 efficient
• Satellite panels only around 28
• 41 efficiency recently achieved
• http//www.eetimes.com/news/latest/showArticle.jht
  ml?articleID196602149

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Future of the Technology

• Geared Kinetics
• Flywheel Charging
• Seiko Watch
• Wind up
• Flash Light
• MIT 100 laptop

13
Current Products

• Solar Powered Devices
• Backpacks
• http//www.voltaicsystems.com/
• Cell Phone
• http//www.gizmodo.com/gadgets/cellphones/solar-po
  wered-cellphone-prototype-cloudy-locales-need-not-
  apply-215534.php
• Kinetic
• 100 Laptop
• http//laptop.media.mit.edu/

14
Questions?
15
Contact Information

• Feel free to contact me with any additional
  questions, comments or concerns.
• Email
• longjame_at_msu.edu