Lucas Cohen (lmcohen2) 210/329 Zhiije Jin (zhijiej2) 210/220/313/329
Statement of Purpose:
The purpose of this project is to create a backpack that converts solar energy into electrical energy that can be accessed by our electrical devices. The backpack will also use solar energy to change the temperature of different items that it carries. This backpack will be helpful for campers who also like to use technology. It will also benefit college students who spend lots of time walking to and from class.
Background Research:
We need to purchase flexible solar panels.
The solar panels will be setup in parallel with a battery that will store energy as the solar panels are exposed to the sun over time.
There are lots of step-by-step guides online to building this backpack. They are similar, but we hope that our's will also harness solar energy to change the temperature of items inside the backpack.
http://www.instructables.com/id/Solarize-your-backpack-and-power-all-your-gizmos/
Parts:
https://www.sparkfun.com/products/13856 - Lithium Ion battery 6mAh
https://www.sparkfun.com/products/13782 - Solar Panel 3.5W
Battery that can store enough energy to charge phone/computer
Adhesive pads to attach solar panels
Backpack
Cutters/knives
Flow Chart:
Potential Challenges:
Figuring out how to store solar energy.
Storing enough energy to charge a phone or laptop.
Accessing the stored energy via a power jack (USB, 3 prong receptacle)
Figuring out how to cool certain areas of the backpack with the energy we've stored from the solar panels.
Posted by tlgraha2 at Feb 20, 2017 21:17