Eco Factor: Solar-powered lampshade.
Sony has showcased a new Hana-Akari prototype lampshade at the Eco-Products 2008 fair currently being held at Tokyo Big Sight in Japan that shows the bright and beautiful side of solar panels. The lampshade comes with the company’s dye-sensitized solar cells. The cheap but beautiful cells have been arranged in a flower pattern creating the look of a classical Japanese paper lantern. The lamp is expected to power small LEDs. These glowing LEDs will not only ensure a soft glow, but will also charge the solar cells in the walls of the lampshade. Apart from powering the LEDs the cells can also be used to power small gadgets like a small table lamp or probably your iPod too.
The Dark Side:
The major disadvantage of dye-sensitized solar cells is the use of liquid electrolyte, which has temperature stability issues. At low temperatures the electrolyte can freeze, ending power generation and finally turning off the lamp.
Via: GoodCleanTech/BoingBoing
